X7 - reusing the RNEG aerial base for DAB+?

[Darko]

I'm in the process of replacing the RNEG on a 2009 C5 X7 saloon with an aftermarket unit with a DAB+ receiver.

If at all possible, I'd like to avoid replacing the main aerial base (looks like a difficult job to do without damaging the roof liner) and those windscreen DAB antennas also produce mixed results.

Since my RNEG has dual tuner, if I understand correctly, it has 3 coaxial connections:
- amplified FM
- unamplified FM
- GPS

So I'd reuse the amplified FM and GPS connections directly for the new HU. That still leaves the third one.

The factory fitted aerial is not suitable for DAB, but I was thinking of replacing it with a one from a car with DAB:

So my question is - since the aerial looks like just a wire, would replacing it and keeping the same aerial base still allow me to use the unused FM connector for DAB?

[Darko]

OK so the more I look at this, the more confused I'm getting.

In the parts schematic, there's only one amplifier pictured, but there's actually two part numbers for RNEG, so apparently both FM1 and FM2 are amplified:

So that probably means that the roof aerial only has one coax for GPS and that's it. Pictures of the aerial base 6561RH only seem to shown one wire coming out of it.

I'm unable to find those amplifiers on any of the wiring diagrams.

So my options are either:
1. change the aerial base with a DAB one
2. replace one of the amplifiers with a DAB one from another car (Ford looks similar)
3. replace one of the amplifiers with a ching-chong DAB aerial, but solder the aerial lead to the window one
4. replace one of the amplifiers with a ching-chong DAB glass stick-on aerial and just reuse the coax cable

With the first option, I think it would be the easiest to run an extension coax from the base to one of the amplifiers, disconnecting it and just reusing the connector there to avoid having to run the coax across the whole care. It's the most "invasive" option.

For the second option, connectors would be different, but also not a lot of connections either (aerial, +12 and FAKRA out). Reception (due to antenna design) would not be optimal, but could still work ...

Am I thinking in the right direction?

[GiveMeABreak]

How the aerials are used can depend on the vehicle - on some the FM2 aerial is not used....

Pop your VIN up so I can see what you have. Please post your VIN in full without spaces - it will be automatically masked from public view after submitting your post & will only be visible to staff.

(Note if you are attaching images in future, please use the full post editor and upload directly to the Forum as those last images cannot be magnified and advertise an image hosting service. I have uploaded them directly now).

[Darko]

Thanks! I'll upload the images directly in the future.

The VIN is: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

Remember that DAB works on different frequencies. A 'wound' FM aerial should be ok, but I suspect it may be trial and error as to the quality.

Unfortunately, Citroen omitted the specific information concerning the MyWay (RNEG) on the C5 X7, so there isn't the detail I was hoping for. For Peugeot 5008, both aerials are 'active', but one is not used.

I think you are going to have to try it and see to be honest.