DAB signal issue

[rickbingham]

Hi guys, i am getting very inconsistent signal on the DAB it is constantly jumping from DAB to FM when it can't find DAB. I have DAB in the house and have no problems but can't get DAB in my Roc in the driveway?! Could this be a issue with the new DAB aerial in the side window?

Anyone else with the same problem?

[jonallen628]

No problems with my DAB signal in the first six months of ownership, think the unit has only switched to FM once in 6000 miles. The DAB aerial is on the roof as far as i know, the aerials in the side windows are for AM / FM etc.

[martdy]

No probs here either. The DAB aerial has now been moved to the side windows on 2010 model year cars I believe.So may not be as good as the "bee sting" job on mine (earlier cars).

[davey]

I've just received my Roc so it's a 2010 MY.

I've had it for a week but the DAB is driving me mad. I would say it's practically unusable. I was looking forward to listening to Test Match Special on Radio 5 Live Extra, but wherever I am it dips out constantly.

Oh well, I thought, back to Radio 4 Long Wave, but the radio only does medium wave!

[RW1]

This should be a dealer issue (eg. like windscreen wipers) for MY2010 Sciroccos. Paying £165 for a specification option that doesn't appear to work on your Scirocco which uses the side window aerials suggests two things.

- Faulty equipment.
- Design installation is poor.

Given this is something cropping up more than one owner, perhaps it is a design problem.

It's not the first time for VW that this sort of problem has occurred but it used to linked to fitting ICE when it was done by the dealerships and forgetting to fit the FM aerial in-line power interface in the aerial lead.

[u37255]

Hi,

I've just got mine in the last few days and live on central Scotland. I think you will find this is not a vw or hardware issue but infact an issue with dab in that reception in many areas is weak eg city centres very rural areas. My signal drops in and out from time to time but I'd rather listen to some of the cricket etc than none at all!

My other experience was with the pure dab in car radio system - same problem.

Neil

[greenstick]

My reception is terrible

I live and do most of my driving in west yorkshire and find that it switches to FM several times every journey.

Anyone else have experience around Leeds? Is yours a 2010 car?

I'm beginning to think that the move of the aerial may have been a mistake

[jonallen628]

DAB Coverage as of FEB08 shown below, I would suggest if you live and drive in the areas that are pink on the map you shouldn't have a problem with your reception. Looking as some of the comments clearly this isn't the case, perhaps it is a hardware / installation problem on later cars?

What the map shows is a number of areas where coverage will be poor at present, in some cases this could be due to the geography of the area and FM coverage in these areas may not be much better.

Generally i haven't been further than a 50 mile radius of B'ham in the Roc so far and not had a problem. I also find that when entering tunnels etc the DAB manages to hold on a little longer than FM before cutting out.

It's fair to say that whilst we are in the transitional stage the service will vary accross the country. Since this map was issued there have been further improvements in the service, you will find on the websites below of new transmitter installations etc.

More info...

http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/waystolisten/digitalradio/

dab_coverage_feb08.JPG

[RW1]

Good bit of info there jon allen.

Although I'm not getting the option at the moment, I find it a bit strange given there are government proposals around to do away with FM Radio in 2015 (I hope not) like DVB going on at the moment. Reception is going to have to be better all round to convince people.

Chris

[skyblues11]

i was thinking about this option but in the end did not go for it.

i just felt the whole DAB thing is overated. while i am waiting for the Roc, I am driving my mum's honda civic with the radio stolen a few years back. i listen to the radio via a small 50£ handheld DAB radio with headphones. its ok in general when the car is on the move, but on bad weather days with heavy clouds, it crackles.

same thing happened when i use it whilst mowing my lawn. My TV as well. i can't get any BBC4 sometimes.

yet the brick size DAB radio at home with a 60cm long aerial, works fine in any weather..

thess sort of inconsistancy had in the end, made me drop the DAB idea.

[jonallen628]

i was thinking about this option but in the end did not go for it.

i just felt the whole DAB thing is overated. while i am waiting for the Roc, I am driving my mum's honda civic with the radio stolen a few years back. i listen to the radio via a small 50£ handheld DAB radio with headphones. its ok in general when the car is on the move, but on bad weather days with heavy clouds, it crackles.

same thing happened when i use it whilst mowing my lawn. My TV as well. i can't get any BBC4 sometimes.

yet the brick size DAB radio at home with a 60cm long aerial, works fine in any weather..

thess sort of inconsistancy had in the end, made me drop the DAB idea.

It was absolutely p***ing it down yesterday, DAB worked perfectly in the Roc whilst travelling at 70 MPH over a 15 mile journey. No problems here.

[rickbingham]

Interesting mix of comments here! not any wiser to whether this is hardware or signal issue. My local radio station is broadcast from 3 miles down the road and they constantly promote their DAB service so makes me lean towards the hardware problem.

Shame really as when the DAB works it's great and the extra channels, secondary audio and text info is cool.

I think I need to talk to the dealer.

[DGOT]

On the RCD-510 unit you can check the signal strength by holding down the Setup button on the radio for approx. 3 seconds. I don't have DAB but if I hold the Setup button for 3 seconds the display gives options for AM and FM, if you select one of these then the signal strength (and other info such as antenna input used) is displayed, you should also get a DAB option if you have spec'ed the DAB functionality.

[regandjuk]

Interesting mix of comments here! not any wiser to whether this is hardware or signal issue. My local radio station is broadcast from 3 miles down the road and they constantly promote their DAB service so makes me lean towards the hardware problem.

Shame really as when the DAB works it's great and the extra channels, secondary audio and text info is cool.

I think I need to talk to the dealer.

Let us all know what they say......I've got mine on order without DAB due to the signal issue but would add it if the issue was fixed/fixable....

[regandjuk]

I've just received my Roc so it's a 2010 MY.

I've had it for a week but the DAB is driving me mad. I would say it's practically unusable. I was looking forward to listening to Test Match Special on Radio 5 Live Extra, but wherever I am it dips out constantly.

Oh well, I thought, back to Radio 4 Long Wave, but the radio only does medium wave!

You can listen to TMS on 702 MW according to my dealer.......