FM radio is set to disappear completely from Switzerland by 2024 at the latest, making way for DAB+. If a new radio or even a new car is too drastic for you, you can fall back on DAB+ adapters. But are they any good? I tested three devices.
The future is digital
Firstly, the car in which the DAB+ adapters were tested has neither Bluetooth nor an AUX connection. I had to find this out after minutes of searching. So I have to pair all adapters via frequency. To do this, find an empty frequency on your car radio and then set the same frequency on your adapter. Secondly, to make matters worse, it's around 35 degrees on my test day and I'm already sweating before I even start.
Albrecht DR 56+
The device is connected to the cigarette lighter. The station scan found 87 different radio stations, which is not a bad result. However, the quality varies quite widely. A few of the stations found were quite clattery. But if the programme runs smoothly, it stays that way. At least on my short trip.
PTEC A1
Pure Highway 600
The Pure Highway 600 is also the only model that can be attached to the windscreen and dashboard. I place the adapter between the two vents and hardly feel visually impaired. Although it is the smallest model tested, it has the most functions. In addition to listening to the radio, you can also listen to Spotify or chat to your friends via the hands-free system. However, the buttons are rather small and I did make a few mistakes on bumpy stretches of road.
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You start the engine and your radio switches on automatically. The last station you listened to starts playing. But you don't like the song. Quickly switch over. You like the new song, but unfortunately there's this static. You try to ignore it, but after the first chorus it becomes too much. With a heavy heart, you switch on again. So far that you probably end up back at the original station. At least that's the case with my FM car radio. Seven good-sounding stations are the highest of feelings.
My almost antique model of a car radio.
Ultra short waves (VHF) are electromagnetic waves in a frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. However, the frequency range used in most countries is between 87.5 MHz and 108 MHz. The successor to analogue FM radio is, how could it be otherwise, digital. In Switzerland, the Federal Council granted permission to set up a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) network on 17 February 1999. In October 2012, all DAB transmitters were switched off again and the migration to DAB+ began at the same time.
So much for the history. FM radio is to be completely banished from our lives by 2024 at the latest. As radio stations will no longer be obliged to broadcast their programmes via FM from 2020, this could be the case sooner. The problem is that many car drivers do not yet have DAB+-capable radios. According to estimates, over 70 per cent of all drivers still listen to analogue radio. If they don't upgrade, they will soon face absolute silence. But installing a new device is expensive. DAB+ adapters could provide a remedy. This allows you to receive DAB+ stations with your old car radio. But is this cheaper option any good?
Michael Mistica, Category Marketing Specialist for vehicle requirements, brings me three models. They differ in price and manufacturer, but the system is always the same. Stick the antenna to the windscreen and connect the adapter to the car radio (via frequency adjustment, AUX cable or Bluetooth). Doesn't sound that difficult, but I had my problems...
The contents are roughly the same for all three models: adapter, antenna, holder, USB power cable and cigarette lighter connection. Only the Pure model runs on batteries.
The instructions are a little poor. They are thick and written in different languages, but a few pictures wouldn't have hurt. It is not entirely clear to me how the antenna should be attached. The text is too unclear or perhaps too complicated for me as a layman. But it doesn't help, I try and try until I'm on the verge of a circulatory collapse because it's incredibly hot and stuffy in the car. A picture would have definitely saved me the effort. I then attach the mount to the windscreen using a suction cup and adhesive combo, which holds well. The device itself is attached to the holder with a magnet. This is convenient and uncomplicated. The only problem: as the Albrecht DR 56+ can only be attached to the windscreen, its considerable size means it gets in the way a little. If you then have to attach a sat nav, your view will definitely be obstructed. However, the operation is self-explanatory and the buttons are also suitable for sausage fingers. Even the sunlight from behind can hardly harm the screen. I can still see enough.
After extensive teething troubles, the antenna sits where it should.
The part holds, but is a little in my way.
The instructions are a little weak here too. Although I had high hopes at first. Because when installing the antenna, it said that I should take a look at the picture. Yay, a picture. I rejoiced too soon. I looked everywhere, but really couldn't find a picture anywhere. I find it almost impertinent to lead me astray like that. However, thanks to my technical skills (or previous knowledge from the first model), the installation still worked well. Here too, the holder is attached to the windscreen using a suction cup. However, the thin adhesive layer is missing, which is why it took me a few attempts to get everything to stick properly. The device is then "clicked" onto the holder. The criticism is the same as with Albrecht. The device is relatively large and disturbs the field of vision, especially in combination with a sat nav.
Unfortunately, the second model also has to be attached to the windscreen.
Some more transmitters were found than in the first model, namely 136. Wow, I'm impressed. But that doesn't last long. Because an annoying beep sounds every few minutes. This adapter even travelled with my friend all the way to Belgium and unfortunately the shrill sound didn't go away. At least not until he switched it off halfway through the journey. In PTEC's defence, it's possible that the beeping can only be heard via frequency adjustment and the device runs smoothly via AUX and Bluetooth.
Installation is easiest here, perhaps because I'm starting to know how things work. But maybe also because there are finally pictures here. I should have started with this model. The cigarette lighter remains untouched this time, the Pure Highway 600 runs on batteries, which are even included. With 34 transmitters found, the Pure adapter falls short. However, they all work perfectly. The sound is powerful, clear and about the same volume for every station. However, I had to deactivate the autotune function, otherwise the volume of some of the stations was too high or too low.
The Pure Highway 600 finally no longer blocks my view.
Personally, I would opt for the most expensive Pure device. Especially if your radio is about as modern as mine, the adapter with hands-free system and Spotify offers you additional practical functions. What's more, the Pure Highway 600 is the least disruptive when driving thanks to its compact size and sits firmly on the dashboard. But even the inexpensive model from Albrecht has nothing to hide. Once fitted, it worked well. Only the size and mounting could be improved. The PTEC A1 unfortunately failed for me due to the annoying beep. As good as everything else works, if the songs are constantly interrupted by a short whistle, you are robbed of any joy. With all three, however, I receive significantly more stations than before, which is why my starting position has definitely improved.
