Jan 18
26
This case study shows a combined DAB and FM aerial installation we carried out on a property in Ilkley. The customer wanted both digital radio (DAB) and traditional FM radio on the same system, fed down a single cable, and they wanted the cabling to match the building.
Reception in Ilkley can be challenging, so the aerials also had to be mounted high and fixed securely.
Customer Requirements
- Receive both DAB and FM radio
- Use one downlead into the hi?fi / tuner
- Keep the installation neat and sympathetic to the property’s white exterior
- Mount the aerials high enough to overcome Ilkley’s poor reception
The customer had already called another company, but that engineer wouldn’t install the aerials in the exact position or in the way the customer wanted. We were brought in as the second company and were happy to follow the customer’s brief, as long as it could be done safely and to our usual standards.
Installation
We fitted a galvanised heavy?duty bracket to take the load of two aerials. This is important when you are installing more than one aerial – the bracket needs to be strong and rust?resistant so it lasts. On this bracket we
mounted:
- A DAB aerial
- An FM aerial
We then combined the two signals using a radio combiner so that both DAB and FM could run down a single coaxial cable to the radio/tuner inside the property. To keep the appearance tidy, we used white external cable so it blended in with the building’s white walls.
Overcoming Poor Reception
Ilkley is known for patchy radio reception in places because of the surrounding terrain. To maximise signal quality, we placed the aerials as high on the building as possible. Height makes a big difference for both DAB and FM, especially in marginal areas. Once mounted high and aligned correctly, we achieved strong levels for both services.
Result
- Crystal clear DAB (digital radio) reception
- Strong FM radio reception
- Single, tidy cable run in white to match the property
- Long?life installation thanks to the galvanised bracket
- Customer satisfied that the install was done exactly to their specification
Conclusion
By using the right bracket, separating and then combining the DAB and FM signals properly, and installing the system as high as the building allowed, we were able to deliver a reliable radio setup in an area with poor reception.
The customer was particularly pleased because their first contractor wouldn’t carry out the install the way they wanted – our engineer did, and the end result worked exactly as required.
