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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: sjw on 20 January 2022, 17:02

Title: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: sjw on 20 January 2022, 17:02
Hi all,

For the last few months, my DAB reception on BBC Radio 1 (and only Radio 1) has been awful, in areas where it used to be fine. I live around Cambridge and most of the issues I have are on the major roads around the city, A14, M11 etc. It'll drop to FM constantly - if I tap the station logo again, it'll switch back to DAB, but not always for very long.

Has anyone else ever had this before, where just a single station keeps dropping to FM? I've tried rescanning etc, but not sure what else to do. Is there a full reset or anything?

Cheers
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: itavaltalainen on 23 January 2022, 15:31
Got any faults showing on a scan of module 5F?

Could be a failing aerial, amp or wiring.
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: Vwjap on 23 January 2022, 16:16
Don’t the aerials get rusty (or corroded from water ingress) under the trim in the boot area?
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: mcmaddy on 24 January 2022, 08:54
If it's just on radio 1 it's hardly likely to be the aerial. If it was all dab stations then maybe it would be a faulty aerial.
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: SRGTD on 24 January 2022, 10:11
I get DAB reception dropping off to FM on the radio station I listen to - always in the same locations on one of my regular routes. It did it in my previous car too, so I put it down to just poor signal quality at those locations. If I don’t tap the radio station logo on the infotainment screen, DAB reception will come back again of its own accord - usually within a mile’s driving when (presumably) I’ve moved into an area with better DAB signal quality.
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: sjw on 24 January 2022, 10:39
If it's just on radio 1 it's hardly likely to be the aerial. If it was all dab stations then maybe it would be a faulty aerial.

That's what I thought, but I'm going to scan it anyway.

I get DAB reception dropping off to FM on the radio station I listen to - always in the same locations on one of my regular routes. It did it in my previous car too, so I put it down to just poor signal quality at those locations. If I don’t tap the radio station logo on the infotainment screen, DAB reception will come back again of its own accord - usually within a mile’s driving when (presumably) I’ve moved into an area with better DAB signal quality.

Righto, but this didn't happen before and other cars with DAB radio don't suffer in the same areas.
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: martin998877 on 24 January 2022, 20:02
I've had various VW Golfs with DAB - all have much worse reception on DAB than other makes I've had, it's a VW weakness I think.
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: Lordie on 26 January 2022, 21:44
Random slightly related question. I have a varied music taste, and I can't see 'Kerrang Radio' in DAB stations list even though it is a DAB station and I've seen it in listed other peoples vehicles. Anyone know why?  :shocked:
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: jv on 26 January 2022, 22:14
Good taste filter is enabled?
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: Paul_GTI on 04 February 2022, 07:21
I saw something similar with other stations dropping to FM, but if I turn off the DAB > FM option in settings DAB doesn't drop so it seems like it is being overly sensitive.

Do you have a dashcam hardwired or any USB cables connected?
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: dubber36 on 04 February 2022, 09:11
Have you got any aftermarket LED bulbs fitted? Cheap USB chargers can effect DAB signal too.
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: sjw on 04 February 2022, 10:29
I do have a dashcam hard wired. No bulb swaps. Could this be it? Dashcam wire playing havoc with the reception? Maybe I'll remove it and see if the problem remains.

The last couple of days I found another spot where it's started to drop, where it didn't before. It's getting worse!

It doesn't happen with 1 Xtra which I believe is broadcast from the same building and that is flawless, so it's not a signal strength thing, I don't think.

EDIT: I should add I've had the dashcam fitted for probably 3 years now, and the radio has only been iffy for <1 year
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: Paul_GTI on 12 February 2022, 00:53
My current theory is that its dashcam related, I had mine out for a while and since I refitted it I've seen it drop out when at home now. That is with the ferrite core on the USB too.

Which model is it?
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: Lordie on 15 February 2022, 21:29
Good taste filter is enabled?

Always amazes me how you ask for genuine advice and you get cocky answers like this by people that can't keep their opinions to themselves
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: jv on 15 February 2022, 23:01
Always amazes me why people bother to run a loss making forum and can't have a bit of fun with it.

"GolfGTI help and sarcasm since 2002"
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: SRGTD on 16 February 2022, 07:18
Always amazes me why people bother to run a loss making forum and can't have a bit of fun with it.

"GolfGTI help and sarcasm since 2002"

Keep up the good work @jv :smiley:. IMHO a bit of humour and sarcasm never does any harm!
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: Yusee on 16 February 2022, 09:49
Yes, if you can’t have a laugh about cars- and Kerrang radio- what can you laugh about?
Title: Re: BBC Radio 1 DAB reception awful
Post by: sjw on 16 February 2022, 10:00
My current theory is that its dashcam related, I had mine out for a while and since I refitted it I've seen it drop out when at home now. That is with the ferrite core on the USB too.

Which model is it?

It's an Aukey something or other, I'm not even sure if it's on sale any more. Like I say, I've had it a few years now. It's possible the wire has just been moved to a location that is interfering.