DAB radio into older vehicle single DIN

Although I have a fare knowledge of mechanicals I know jack all about modern in car entertainment systems.

Can I fit a modern DAB radio into an old vehicle with single din and if so is it a straight forward pull the old system out and plug the new in (with the correct connector). Can I use the same motorised retractable aerial ? The vehicle in my case is an old Mercedes W202 C Class fitted with a Pioneer + 6 CD in the boot. The head unit has had it so needs replacing so would like to replace with a digital receiver if I can?
I don't want anything fancy or too technical just simple to use and if possible still have my CD player working with the new unit.
BBC Radio 2 is my usual station of choice but since Chris Evans and Simon Mayo were replaced with Zoe Ball & Sarah Cox it is rather intolerable so would like to give Virgin radio a wurl if possible.

Any assistance appreciated.

In a word yes, go for the DAB+ as that will do more stations in Europe,
If your electric aerial is worn ( slop between the mast segments) it would be best to change it as well,

Excellent thank you, aerial mast was changed last year (genuine Hirschmann) and is part of the character of the car hence wanting to keep it.

If your aerial isn’t dab compliant your never going to get any digital stations. You may need to fit a digital Ariel to your windscreen.

Sorry but that’s not correct, I have a DAB radio in my Discovery and it gets it signal from
A Hirchmann electric aerial designed for FM/AM radio and it works ok,
I would agree that a specific Digital Antenna would give a better digital signal but with a reduction
In signal strength for the FM/AM radio,
I have a specific DAB Radio antenna on my Motorhome that probably gives a better signal in a fringe area
But not much different to the standard AM/ FM aerial IMO,

Europa486 said:

Sorry but that’s not correct, I have a DAB radio in my Discovery and it gets it signal from
A Hirchmann electric aerial designed for FM/AM radio and it works ok,
I would agree that a specific Digital Antenna would give a better digital signal but with a reduction
In signal strength for the FM/AM radio,
I have a specific DAB Radio antenna on my Motorhome that probably gives a better signal in a fringe area
But not much different to the standard AM/ FM aerial IMO,

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+1 for this.

Tbh you can pick up radio on a piece of wet string.

Sure, a specifically tuned dab antenna would have less loss, but if you aren’t in a marginal area I shouldn’t worry.

BBC Radio 2 is my usual station of choice but since Chris Evans and Simon Mayo were replaced with Zoe Ball & Sarah Cox it is rather intolerable so would like to give Virgin radio a wurl if possible.

Click to expand...

Its not just me then

The old bent wire coat hanger used to work fine with FM, is it a no go with DAB

Might work, but again you are introducing losses... cut it to a half wavelength and mount it vertical for best redneck results lol.

Or if you want the true swish redneck look you could weld on some quarter wave radials around the base. It will make the neighbours jealous...