RetroSound DAB1 Splitter: Add DAB+ to a Classic Car Radio
By CEN | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
Use the RetroSound DAB1 splitter to feed DAB+ and AM/FM from one existing antenna. Follow these steps to plan, install, and check the adapter in a classic car.
Quick answer
Fit the RetroSound DAB1 between your existing AM/FM antenna lead and a DAB/DAB+ radio: its standard output feeds the AM/FM tuner and its DAB output feeds the radio's DAB input, so one antenna serves both.
Why a splitter suits a classic car better than a second antenna
Classic cars rarely have a clean, hidden place for a second antenna, and drilling a modern DAB aerial into original bodywork is a decision many owners regret. The RetroSound DAB1 avoids that by reusing the antenna already on the car, provided the radio has a DAB/DAB+ tuner and a dedicated DAB input.
The trade-off is that reception quality still depends on the existing antenna and its cable. A splitter divides the signal rather than creating extra gain, so a corroded mast, a damaged lead, or a very short antenna can leave DAB+ struggling even when AM/FM still sounds acceptable.
When the DAB1 is not the right part
The adapter is intended for aftermarket radios with a DAB/DAB+ tuner and a separate DAB antenna socket. If your classic radio is AM/FM only, or if its DAB tuner expects a powered antenna, the DAB1 alone will not add DAB+ reception. Check the radio's connections before buying; the supplied catalog information does not list powered-antenna support or connector dimensions, so confirm those details against your own hardware.
RetroSound DAB1 install steps
- Confirm the radio has a DAB input: Look at the back of the radio for a dedicated DAB/DAB+ antenna socket alongside the standard AM/FM socket. If only one antenna socket exists, stop and check the radio's manual before ordering the adapter. A radio without a separate DAB input cannot use the DAB1's split outputs.
- Inspect the existing antenna and lead: Check the mast, base, and cable run for corrosion, frayed shielding, or loose connectors, and repair anything questionable first. A splitter cannot compensate for a poor antenna signal. Test AM/FM reception before installation so you have a baseline.
- Disconnect power and remove the radio: Turn off the ignition and disconnect the battery negative terminal, then slide the radio out far enough to reach the antenna connections. Pulling the radio with the battery connected risks shorting the antenna lead against chassis metal. Label the existing antenna lead before unplugging it.
- Connect the original antenna to the DAB1 input: Plug the car's AM/FM antenna lead into the DAB1's antenna input, then route the adapter's standard output to the radio's AM/FM socket and its DAB output to the radio's DAB socket. Keep the adapter body clear of sharp edges and moving parts behind the dash. If either output does not reach its socket, add an extension rather than stretching the adapter.
- Reconnect power and check both bands: Reconnect the battery, switch on the radio, and scan AM/FM and DAB+ separately. Compare AM/FM against your pre-install baseline; if DAB+ drops out while AM/FM is unchanged, recheck the DAB output connection and antenna condition. A weak DAB+ scan usually points to the antenna or a loose DAB output, not the splitter itself.
Product facts
- RetroSound DAB1 Splitter Antenna Adapter Converts AM FM to Receive DAB+ & AM FM: The RetroSound DAB1 converts a standard AM/FM antenna to receive both AM/FM and DAB/DAB+ stations, with separate DAB and standard antenna outputs. That two-output layout is what lets one existing antenna lead serve both tuners without a second aerial.
RetroSound DAB1 Splitter Antenna Adapter Converts AM FM to Receive DAB+ & AM FM
