Hello,

I've got rubbish radio reception on my standard Symphony head unit. So, two poss solutions:

-the active aerial base has died

-the active aerial is not getting power.

Does anyone know from where on the head unit the power comes from? Does it come straight from the coax aerial connector, or is it from one of the other wires and them joins in to the aerial cable somewhere hidden from view?

Cheers

I'm in the same boat mate. Rubbish reception. :(

It's sent up the coax by the head unit itself.

I'd bet it's the base itself, change loads.

It's sent up the coax by the head unit itself.

I'd bet it's the base itself, change loads.

So, with a multimeter should I see something like a 5v or 12v feed out of the coax at the back of the HU? I've checked and the voltage is zero.

So, with a multimeter should I see something like a 5v or 12v feed out of the coax at the back of the HU? I've checked and the voltage is zero.

IIRC it's a pulse width modulated voltage, so you would need a scope to measure it.

IIRC it's a pulse width modulated voltage, so you would need a scope to measure it.

Thanks for the reply. I'll borrow a scope of my neighbour and have a look for interests sake - but as you say it's prob the aerial base. Time to break some trim clips.....

Thanks for the reply. I'll borrow a scope of my neighbour and have a look for interests sake - but as you say it's prob the aerial base. Time to break some trim clips.....

The main issue you'll come across is the clips are the annoying metal triangle things. Some will end up left in the metal hole in the car and will necessitate a tool to remove.

I'm not liking the sound of this. How much would the stealers charge to change the base? I think is rather have a shark fin instead if the base has to come off. Also if I'm swapping the headunit will I even need to worry about swapping anything? Can I not have a signal booster at the HU end?

For an aftermarket radio, you'll need to add a booster at the headunit end. I am not aware of any aftermarket headunit that it is capable of powering the OEM booster in the aerial base.