Transit custom dab signal drop out

[lofty531135]

Hi.
I have just bought a 2016 custom and had problems with the dab signal dropping out and I searched the forum and could not find a definitive answer so I thought I would write this solution in case any one else was having the same problem

I had a Mk 7 before with an after market dab radio and the signal was fantastic, anywhere in the country, so I bought myself the same aerial from Halfords that I had with my mk7, photo attached.

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I took off the passenger pillar trim and inside is a fakra connector/fitting for the dab/fm aerial, so I bought a fakra extension cable and cut one end of the extension cable (the same end that comes from the aerial) and cut the end off the new aerial as it had a different connector on it and joined the fakra connector to the new aerial.

I disconnected the fakra connector/fitting for the dab/fm aerial in the passenger pillar and connected the fakra connection of the new aerial that I had made and if it didn't work I could still use my ford aerial.

I did an 80 mile trip with a 25 mile drive through the country with a national dab station on and it only started to drop out when I got into the town, where as before it would drop out every journey, no station available, I did the return 80 miles with the fm on and the signal was fine.

I have attached 2 photos of the aerial, the first one with no cover over the aerial and the second photo of a balloon over the aerial, to stop the whistling when driving.

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I hope this is not too confusing and that someone finds a fix for their poor signal.

[Mike]

Mine switches seamlessly between DAB amd FM, it’s improved over the years and I don’t even notice the switch anymore, the slight drop in sound quality is the only clue.

[bambi mk 1]

Mine switches seamlessly between DAB amd FM, it’s improved over the years and I don’t even notice the switch anymore, the slight drop in sound quality is the only clue.

I thought you would be an ABBA on 8 track man Mike

[Stinky851]

I can't listen to my DAB radio anymore because it cuts out every minute or so, drives me absolutely mental...
This might be worth a try I guess..

[Mike]

I thought you would be an ABBA on 8 track man Mike

Oh yes, when I had the Dolomite Sprint, I’ve moved with the times though, Minidisc all the way now

[seikokid]

the ford ST dab stubby Ariel solves the problem part number 2002542 previously mentioned on here - about £12

had problems described above - not any more