Hi Forum,

I have a Superb 1,4 TSI 2011 model. Recently I got the Zenec 2010 navi installed. I went back to the dealer 3-4 days after and complained about the FM radio signal, since it somehow was worse than the original installed radio. I told him, how that could be, since the shark-fin on the roof was the antenna. Then he said that the shark-fin was just a dummy antenna. The real antenna was inside the car somewhere along the glove compartment.

So is he right. Is the Shark Fin really just an empty shell or is the antenna inside it.

If it's empty, is it possible to wire an antenna there and would it help on my issues with the Zenec 2010 navigation unit.

Thx in advance

No he hasn't a clue!

The shark fin aerial is for the GPS (sat nav) the radio aerial is in the rear 1/4 windows on an estate and likely to be in the windows of the twindoor as well?

IIRC the OE Skoda radios have an aerial booster .... does your new radio??

The Greenline Estate that I rented a few weeks back had the sharkfin missing. There was simply a small rectangular bit of metal(?) that looked like a mount for something. The Bolero radio worked fine, it didn't have sat nav, which tends to support Gizmo68's post.

Aha! That will explain why my Superb has the sharkfin and my colleague at work does not have one on his.

Hi Forum,

I have a Superb 1,4 TSI 2011 model. Recently I got the Zenec 2010 navi installed. I went back to the dealer 3-4 days after and complained about the FM radio signal, since it somehow was worse than the original installed radio. I told him, how that could be, since the shark-fin on the roof was the antenna. Then he said that the shark-fin was just a dummy antenna. The real antenna was inside the car somewhere along the glove compartment.

So is he right. Is the Shark Fin really just an empty shell or is the antenna inside it.

If it's empty, is it possible to wire an antenna there and would it help on my issues with the Zenec 2010 navigation unit.

Thx in advance

The Shark-fin comes in several versions:

1: Dummy (only used on 2010 models)

2: GPS

3: GPS+GSM

If the car is ordered from factory without phone or navi, it is a dummy.

The dummy is only used on 2010 models. 2011 models have a square black flat sort of roof plug instead.

So if you are having a shark dummy antenna, it is not a 2011 model. If it is a 2011 model (look a 10 letter in the VIN), the shark ant is probadly a GPS or GPS/GSM.

Your problem is not related to that antenna anyway.

In the Superb there is 2 ACTIVE FM antennas, integrated into the rear right and left window (if it is an estate).

If you choose to mount another radio, you have to make sure of 2 things:

1: Supply of 12V to the active antennas.

2: The new radio has diversity.

So whats diversity ? It a system in the radio selecting the antenna which provides the best signal. This means the original Skoda radio shifts between the 2 antenna's all the time. If you only use one of the antenna's you have to live with reduced antenna performance.

Active antenna ? You need to be sure your new radio is supplying DC out on the antenna cable. Otherwise you will only have a very weak signal. If your radio does not have this, you can however buy a DC insertion to put between radio and antenna. In case of diversity you need 2 of those.

If your new radio does not support diversity, I will recommend you to mount an old fashion external antenna. Otherwise you will probably never be satisfied.

BTW .. nice nick ..

Edited 29 October, 201114 yr by i-s

The Shark-fin comes in several versions:

1: Dummy (only used on 2010 models)

2: GPS

3: GPS+GSM

If the car is ordered from factory without phone or navi, it is a dummy.

The dummy is only used on 2010 models. 2011 models have a square black flat sort of roof plug instead.

So if you are having a shark dummy antenna, it is not a 2011 model. If it is a 2011 model (look a 10 letter in the VIN), the shark ant is probadly a GPS or GPS/GSM.

Your problem is not related to that antenna anyway.

In the Superb there is 2 ACTIVE FM antennas, integrated into the rear right and left window (if it is an estate).

If you choose to mount another radio, you have to make sure of 2 things:

1: Supply of 12V to the active antennas.

2: The new radio has diversity.

So whats diversity ? It a system in the radio selecting the antenna which provides the best signal. This means the original Skoda radio shifts between the 2 antenna's all the time. If you only use one of the antenna's you have to live with reduced antenna performance.

Active antenna ? You need to be sure your new radio is supplying DC out on the antenna cable. Otherwise you will only have a very weak signal. If your radio does not have this, you can however buy a DC insertion to put between radio and antenna. In case of diversity you need 2 of those.

If your new radio does not support diversity, I will recommend you to mount an old fashion external antenna. Otherwise you will probably never be satisfied.

BTW .. nice nick ..

I have MY2012 and it has that shark antenna. However, my car doesn't have sat GPS function. So is the shark antenna of my car a dummy or what?

I have a Superb 1,4 TSI 2011 model. Recently I got the Zenec 2010 navi installed. I went back to the dealer 3-4 days after and complained about the FM radio signal, since it somehow was worse than the original installed radio. I told him, how that could be, since the shark-fin on the roof was the antenna. Then he said that the shark-fin was just a dummy antenna. The real antenna was inside the car somewhere along the glove compartment.

So is he right. Is the Shark Fin really just an empty shell or is the antenna inside it.

Another dealer who doesn't really understand how the Superb works. About the antennas:

There are two radio antennas. The factory-fit radios continuously search both antennas for the strongest signal. For a combi these are integrated in the rear left and rear right windows (next to the luggage compartment). I don't know where they are in the hatchback, probably in the rear window.

The shark-fin on the roof is actually quite full and NOT a dummy, since it houses:

- The antenna for the premium carkit

- The antenna for the factory-fit auxiliary heating

- The antenna for the factory-fit navigation systems (gps antenna).

I have MY2012 and it has that shark antenna. However, my car doesn't have sat GPS function. So is the shark antenna of my car a dummy or what?

Than you probably have a premium carkit or auxiliary heating.

I have MY2012 and it has that shark antenna. However, my car doesn't have sat GPS function. So is the shark antenna of my car a dummy or what?

Look at your PR numbers !

7Q0 = No NAV.

QV0 = No TV.

9W0 = Not preparred for phone

9W8 = Preparred for phone

9M0 = No aux heating

Meaning if you have:

PR 9W5, 9ZF, 9ZG your shark ant has GSM.

PR 8AY your shark ant has GPS.

PR 9M9 your shark ant can receive signals from aux heating remote.

From this you get 7 possible shark ant combinations and therefore 7 different partnumbers for the shark ant. One of these is the dummy ant.

So your car will have the dummy if you have ALL the following PR's 7Q0, QV0, 9W0, 9M0.

The Roof-plug was introduced 08.11.2010.

Than you probably have a premium carkit or auxiliary heating.

It's a premium Bluetooth HF.

But can car's own Bluetooth use that antenna when it's taken over the phone, i.e. setting "Bluetooth Premium" even though the phone is not physically attached to Bluetooth system?

It's a premium Bluetooth HF.

But can car's own Bluetooth use that antenna when it's taken over the phone, i.e. setting "Bluetooth Premium" even though the phone is not physically attached to Bluetooth system?

I am sorry, but do not understand you.

But ... The car's BT ant is inside the car, located in the BT control module under the front passenger seat. The Shark fin ant is for the mobile phone network.

Hope this answers your question, otherwise try again.

I am sorry, but do not understand you.

But ... The car's BT ant is inside the car, located in the BT control module under the front passenger seat. The Shark fin ant is for the mobile phone network.

Hope this answers your question, otherwise try again.

I meant: is my phone & car's Bluetooth system (Bluetooth premium) able to use that shark GSM antenna on car roof even though my phone is not physically attached to car's GSM antenna? Or do I need that phone cradle which is an optional equipment?

Edited 30 October, 201114 yr by Sensonic

It's a premium Bluetooth HF.

But can car's own Bluetooth use that antenna when it's taken over the phone, i.e. setting "Bluetooth Premium" even though the phone is not physically attached to Bluetooth system?

The car has a complete set of mobile phone radios of its own (2G and 3G on current models). If your mobile phone handset supports "rSAP" (remote SIM Access Profile), then instead of using your phone's radios, the car talks to the SIM in your handset via Bluetooth, and uses its own radio to communicate with the mobile network.

I meant: is my phone & car's Bluetooth system (Bluetooth premium) able to use that shark GSM antenna on car roof even though my phone is not physically attached to car's GSM antenna? Or do I need that phone cradle which is an optional equipment?

Its not that easy. Premium is not just premium. And what is Premium ? In many cases the UHV can do more....

Usually if you have rSAP compatible premium, the GSM ant is located behind the A pillar trim. I am not aware which phone kit uses the roof antenna. Maybe it is because I have only seen aftermarket solutions.

Edited 31 October, 201114 yr by i-s

All very confusing. I also have a May 2011 SE Estate that is basic without Sat Nav or telephone set up. But I do have a shark fin on my roof.

Purely decorative methinks.

I get by with my phone talking to my Zumo Sat Nav when necessary.

Sorry to resurrect this thread but I've seen a few new Audi's recently with colour coded shark fin aerials.

When you do the driving I do, you tend to start thinking about stuff, so given that I suspect mine is a dummy fin (I have no BT or sat nav), I presume there is nothing attached to the underside?

COuld you therefore, either remove it and colour code it or replace it entirely with an Audi one? But then again I reckon the Audi ones will be "actual" complete antennas, so the cost would be prohibitive?

where is the aerial for the tv module in the L&K models?

The car has a complete set of mobile phone radios of its own (2G and 3G on current models). If your mobile phone handset supports "rSAP" (remote SIM Access Profile), then instead of using your phone's radios, the car talks to the SIM in your handset via Bluetooth, and uses its own radio to communicate with the mobile network.

Thanks for the info.

 

We now understand why the head unit in both cars, (Bolero in Octy 2 FL, Columbus in MY'12 Superb, both with MFW & Bluetooth) displays & retains text messages & logs of any 'phone calls received whilst our mobiles are in, or even near the cars!

 

The Bluetooth range seems to be 50 / 100 feet, I've received calls in my Superb when it was parked in the garage & the 'phone still in the house, + my phone will lock onto her car (Octy) if we are driving in convoy & my Columbus is off, or I'm in my EOS which doesn't have mobile connectivity.

 

DC