A reader asks about replacing their faulty car aerial with a new one which would receive digital radio.
“I have a 2003 Nissan Mirca. My FM/AM aerial is broken and I am interested in getting a DAB radio, but I’m not any good with DIY.”
If you have a broken car aerial it’s often worth looking at a DAB-compatible replacement.
You mentioned your car is a Nissan Micra from 2003 – this could be a second or third generation model. However, both types have a roof mounted aerial at the front of the car.
Replacing one of these aerials is generally accomplished by ‘dropping’ the headlining inside the car, undoing a nut which holds the aerial in place and then fitting a new one. If there isn’t a connection behind the roof lining you would need to run a new aerial wire to the radio. Unfortunately I’ve not been able to find a suitable model which would fit and provide DAB stations.
As you mentioned you’re not keen on too much DIY with this task, it may be best to look at other options for getting DAB in your Nissan Micra.
If the stations you listen to are available on DAB digital radio, you could forego AM/FM reception and fit a DAB windscreen aerial. These shouldn’t require any tools to install – the aerial has an adhesive back and the wire can normally be pushed behind the car’s trim.
You will need to choose a DAB car radio. An add-on device, such as the Pure Highway, would mount to the dashboard and comes with a special aerial. You would continue to use your existing Nissan car radio, selecting a spare frequency to listen to the digital stations. However, the aerial may be a little difficult to install.
Another option is to replace the factory Nissan radio with a more modern unit. The Nissan Micra has a single DIN slot, which means you can insert a model from Sony, Alpine or another brand. This isn’t too difficult to do, although you may need a Nissan adapter to convert from the radio’s wiring to that in the car.
The Sony DSX-A300DAB can be bought for £82, with a stick on aerial for £15. Installed yourself this would cost £87 (if you don’t need an adapter or keys to remove the old radio).
Alternatively you could consider the Pure Highway 400 add-on device. You will need to use the 12V socket to power the device, but it does come with an appropriate aerial. These are currently on sale at £129.
Both can be installed for around £30 at a major car accessories chain. If you’re not very confident with DIY this could be your best option to avoid any problems.