Retrofitting RCD510DAB and adding a DAB aerial. Who's done it?

[john a]

Hi folks.

I have fitted an RCD510DAB into the Skoda and am trying to work out the best way of fitting an aerial that will handle DAB and deal with Diversity if possible.
The RCD510 replaces Skoda's Stream MP3 unit which does not have Diversity and has a single fm/am input from a single roof mounted aerial (at least I cannot find a second aerial connection behind the head unit.

My wife has a MkV Match that has a standard sort of headunit, and RCD300 I think, which must have Diversity as the service menu displays both Ant1 and Ant2 functions (ie on as they seem to be working). I understand that one antenna is on the roof and the other is in the rear windscreen. Is the rear windscreen antenna the whole of the heater element with some kind of filter attached (sort of as per the picture below? Can any of this be retrofitted and where would the frequency filters be found? Do any of the R*** codes mean anything?



1 –  Mobile telephone -R54-

    * Optional

2 –  Aerial -R66-

    * Roof-mounted
    * Only installed with relevant equipments as telephone, navigation system or auxiliary heater with remote control

3 –  Left aerial module -R108-

    * For FM reception
    * Diversity aerial FM 2
    * Impedance converter

4 –  Aerial wire for optional “DAB” radio reception
5 –  Right aerial module -R109-

    * For FM/AM reception
    * Diversity aerial AM/FM 1
    * Impedance converter

6 –  Radio -R- or control unit with display for radio and navigation system -J503-

    * RCD 310
    * RCD 510
    * RNS 510

7 –  Frequency modulation (FM) frequency filter in negative wire -R178-

    * Has the task of preventing the aerial signals being shorted to earth

8 –  Amplitude modulation (AM) frequency filter -R177-

    * Has the task of preventing the aerial signals being shorted to earth

9 –  Frequency modulation (FM) frequency filter in positive wire -R179-

    * Has the task of preventing the aerial signals being shorted to earth

10 –  Rear window aerial -R130-

The roof aerial in the image looks to have no function as far as the radio goes, but why would it connect to the headunit if it was only for telephone or nav? Or is it the case that it's fitted as a preparation if those functions will be fitted eventually?

I have seen other cars (my dad's Superb and my brother's Cooper S Clubman) that have a separate circuit in a side window for the radio aerials and wondered if the same applied with the radio aerial (hence the question on whether it was the full heater element).

I was going to buy an aftermarket combined DAB/FM aerial and install in place of the standard one - has anybody done this and retained full function of AM/FM or have you installed a separate DAB aerial in addition to any standard Diversity kit you have?

Cheers and sorry for all of the questions, driving me a bit mental trying to get my head around it.

[brookesb32]

Would also like to know this 

[john a]

Bump for this one

[WolverineMAc]

Did anyone work this out?

[john a]

I ended up buying another Calearo DAB aerial as my car doesn't have Diversity (but has a Diversity capable head unit). My plan is to try and somehow build Diversity in now but I'd still like to do an OE DAB aerial retrofit in my wife's mk5

[jedi-knight83]

you dont want the diversity box as the rcd510 has it built in. I had to make some bridging wires to bypass my diversity box as my signal was all over the place. You just want the aerial connected direct to the back of the headunit and it will then auto switch between ant1 and ant2 depending on signal.

As for DAB. I also have the rcd510dab and currently have ant2 connected to the dab socket and reception is ok but drops out in certain areas.

Retro fitting the OEM DAB aerial basically means changing the rear screen for one with a dab aerial built into it and then getting the dab receiver and fitting it in the boot lid. Either that or fitting an unsightly beesting with DAB capability.

What I now plan to do is get a DAB beesting but install it in the car somewhere. Either in the A or C pillar behind the trim or under the headlining. Reception probably still wont be quite as good as if it were on the roof but i think they look ugly and its rather keep it internal if possible.

[WolverineMAc]

more front windscreen mounted aerial works really well, not had any issues as yet

[bakili]

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=29826.0

I have fitted windscreen mounted dab aerial, works OK, and cost me only £20. The guide above if you want OEM install.

OEM DAB fitment

the dab aerial base is 1K0 035 501H £72 (has fm,dab,gsm,navi)
the aerial mast to fit base 1K0 035 849 £15
diversity fm aerial adaptor 7L6 051 551 £24
dab aerial adaptor 000 098 710A £13
4m aerial cable 000 098 654 A £17

VW prices