I am thinking I might need to replace the aerial base in my car. I had a quick look on ebay at potential replacement units, but what I am unsure on is if the standard Octy aerial base just takes the coaxial cable (and breaks out the power internally), or if there is a "box" which sits above the headlining which breaks out the power, and supplies that via a separate cable to the aerial base.

Cheers,

Matt

Is it the base or just the seal that's perished

Is it the base or just the seal that's perished

The base and seal look to be in reasonable nick but my radio reception has been rubbish for the last few weeks. I have changed the power injector behind the headunit in the dash and it is still sounding equally pants (fade out, etc). The +12v blue feed is also providing the radio-sense feed to my hands free kit so I know that bit is working. I am therefore assuming the amplifier part of the aerial base must have failed.

Sad as it sounds, I am kind of missing hearing Chris Moyles in the morning :'(

You have PM

Excellent... so just the one cable going into it. I shall use that to base my ebay searches on :-)

The whole aerial is only 20 odd quid from the dealer. Bought one for mine in November.

The whole aerial is only 20 odd quid from the dealer. Bought one for mine in November.

The rod alone is usually about that.

IIRC, both non-Nav bases are about £65.

It's not mate,

Bought one myself including the base and rod.

According to the invoice, the pn is 1U0035505F, priced at £23.71 exc. VAT. That was in August though.

That was from DM Keith in huddersfield, west Yorkshire

Edited 13 February, 201115 yr by rk696

It's not mate,

Bought one myself including the base and rod.

According to the invoice, the pn is 1U0035505F, priced at £23.71 exc. VAT. That was in August though.

That was from DM Keith in huddersfield, west Yorkshire

From memory the required part is 1U0 035 505 B - not sure what the difference is.

F may be a newer version.

All I know is it works perfectly, and has the proper amp built into the base.

Maybe B -> F saw improved seals around the base..... Maybe for £25ish I might invest in a new one....

I've had a look at the differences and I don't think they will affect you. I guess the original radio has gone many years ago.

The B version gave much better LW reception and marginally better AM reception. The FM reception is about the same. The original aerial required was mainly dependent on the original radio fitted

I've had a look at the differences and I don't think they will affect you. I guess the original radio has gone many years ago.

The B version gave much better LW reception and marginally better AM reception. The FM reception is about the same. The original aerial required was mainly dependent on the original radio fitted

I have the original radio sitting on a shelf at home, but it is not my intention to use it

I think my radio has this issue - reception is crap and vagcom says open circuit on aerial

before i go any further is the only connection to the aerial a single black connector on the back of the stereo? if so how is power "injected"

If you have a standard Octy HU, then HU itself injects the power down the aerial cable. If you have an after market HU then you need a separate power injector unit.

The only other connector I am aware of is under the rooflining at the base of the aerial.

thanks matthew, I take it replacement is pretty straightforward? got any pics or a guide?

No pics for this I am afraid, although I have a couple of spare bases so I could take a picture if you like. Replacement of the aerial base is pretty easy (in the estate, at least). Remove the plastic trim which allows the headlining to drop a bit in the middle.

Then I used a medium-sized adjustable spanner to loosen off the nut on the bottom of the base and then undo it with my fingers. Disconnect the plug - this might be the most fiddly bit - have a look at the replacement unit to figure out how it works. Then remove from above.

I sourced my replacement base from a scrappy - the only thing to watch out for is the large outer washer might be a bit perished. The base I now have fitted is for a hatch, so it has the "tip-flat" option.

when you say remove plastic trim what do you mean?

other than that just trying to weigh up whether to get a new or second hand replacement unit now

Unless you can pocket a couple of spare units at the scrap yard, I would go for a new one. Old units may well be knackered.

The estate has plastic trim which clips along the verticals and top of the boot opening - the sides and then the top piece need to be removed in order to allow the head lining to drop.

many thanks!

Tried this today as I've had rubbish radio reception for ages- the PCB underneath was rather rusty! Going to need a new one, methinks... tried a friend's sharkfin but it looked pap.