Installing Roof Top Dab+ Antenna

[MrBurns]

I've got a DAB+ (Digital) Radio for my carpc and the stock power antenna is useless for it - works fine stationary but fades out when moving. I've read that windscreen mounted antennas dont work too well for DAB, nor do magnetic, nor glass mounted ones. So, I've ordered a small roof top DAB antenna(L-band compatible, so should be ok for oz) from the UK. Apparently these antennas are the best way to go for good DAB reception and they're designed to go on the roof. The tricky part is that I've gotta do the scary job of putting a hole in my skylines roof. But, how hard could it be right?

My plan is to:

1. Remove the inside ceiling/panels on the underside of the roof.
   
2. Measure and mark out where to drill the hole. Will go somewhere near the rear of the roof and not above the dome light nor any other stuff like wires.
   
3. Centrepunch the point where to drill, making sure not to buckle the surrounding sheet metal.
   
4. Drill with a small diameter bit.
   
5. Drill with a slightly larger diameter bit and so on until the hole reaches needed diameter.
   
6. Fix the antenna in the hole. Depending on flexiblity of roof's sheet metal, mayb insert small metal plate between locking nut on underside of antenna and sheet metal of roof to help prevent antenna from bending the sheet metal if its pulled on.
   
7. Seal around base of antenna with some sort of silicon sealent to prevent moisture from getting in.
   
8. Wire it up.
   
9. Reinstall inside ceiling/panels on underside of roof.
   

Anyone tried anything like this before and can see potential dramas with it? Any tips/advice?

Cheers

Edited December 8, 2010 by MrBurns

[Daleo]

Once you have worked out the ballpark area you wish to drill, cover the area with a strip of duct tape, then mark for drilling.

You'll find this helps with keeping the drill on centre, and if you do slip, you're unlikely to scratch your paint.

Remember, measure twice; drill once!

[Carbon 34]

I have one on my car now, but mine is a mini shark fin one ordered from OEM company that does the factory ones for HI END cars in germany.italy,

and is a powered version , amplified signal.that need to go to the radio

and you need to select the right cable option for use on your radio. they come with a multitude of options.

like this one

sound deaden the roof while your in it. , remove the head liner before drilling. and use the exact size bit they ask for. think mine was 19mm

some silicones eat paint, or can promote rust on bare metal so beware.

mark it off and exacto razer knife the paint in the circle around it so the only paint that comes off is around the hole and in the exact size of the drill, so it doens't flake off a big chunk when you drill it. and low tack masking tape the area off in case the drill bit walks on you.blankets or towels to stop scratching or broken windows from vibrations. the rear windows can shatter easy while drilling.

needs a good ground on the underside or the ground plane will not work. and the antenna will cut in and out.

measure 4 times, drill once. go slow confirm your not going to drill into a bad area under the antenna, roof braces or sunroof ? wires ?

use a core drill not a twist bit(the kind used for reverse sensors on bumpers), it will buckle the roof skin in most cases otherwise.

redo the headliner while its off..lol I did in black suede. very nice now. flimsy ass nissan factory headliner

and if you have a sunroof like mine does, tighten the bolts up, found a bunch loose on mine that rattled and drove me mad.

tie the wires up and spray glue/ gaffer tape them up or they will rattle on the foor.headliner, don't pinch them in moldings

good luck and becareful not a job for the faint at heart

disclaimer

this is advice only based upon qualified installation methods , in other wards don't blame me if you stuff it up. I can't be next to you to show you exactly how to do it..lol

if you need any clarification let me know before hand.?

Edited December 29, 2010 by sapphiregraphics

[nicr4wks]

What DAB+ dongle are you using?

[Carbon 34]

What DAB+ dongle are you using?

antenna brand is Calearo

Shark fin

think judging from the part numbers in italian its for a Audi PN#75 81 065 it has the SMA female plug on one end and the proprietary plug to interface with the shark fin on the other side, I took some photos of the install and the roof underside to show everyone in a write up of how to do it when I get time to write it up and post it up ...lol

the trick on the R34 is the double roof, you must drill two holes of different sizes to tighten the nut on the underside. 19mm in the roof outside

28mm on the inside , which can be a bit tricky if your not careful ,and the headliner must be off to do it without a doubt but like mine the new material looks loads better (I had to mold a new carbon fiber part for my flush mount 3.5" rear camera LCD and boost gauge, reverse sensors LCD read out anyhow and new LED downlight/ sunroof switch ??? ), I used Dynamat hoodliner in the roof, super light and reflects a lot of heat too. ( the tar based products fall off in the heat when placed in the roof)

Dynamat product used

Edited January 10, 2011 by sapphiregraphics