Just retrofitted Columbus to my 08 pre FL VRS. Signal not brilliant, only got one lead on car to connect to one of the fakra connections on the headunit. What is this " diversity " when talking aerial. How do the later models work with this. Is is not possible to get new aerial from later model and use this, assuming it has 2 leads from it. I know there has been some topics on mounting second aerial or using heated rear screen. Suggestions please.

Greetings from another Herefordian - there are a few on here now.

I'm investigating the options of a second aerial in a thread on this forum, so you can join me there.

I believe 'diversity' (an electronic switching between two aerials to gain the best reception) is built in to the Columbus, but am not certain.

Later models (i.e. FL models) have the second aerial in the glass (rear quarter glass on the estate). The main aerial would still have been on the roof but, if Columbus was factory fitted, would have included a GPS aerial as well.

Just one question: If the signal is not great, have you tried the other aerial socket?

I had mine plugged in to the one nearest the outer edge of the Columbus (this is AM/FM socket) and had poor signal and no TMC. When I changed it across to the inner socket, I had better FM reception as well as TMC.

Try it, if you haven't already.

Quite a few from Hereford. Must have good taste...Had a look at link, if you do sort it, let us know. Seems like just need another seperate aerial feed for radio to work correct. Bit off topic, but you mentioned before about you have VCDS. Can you alter options with this?

This I believe is for the diversity aerial, one input is for FM the other for AM

One aerial input provides FM/AM , the other provides FM / TMC. it has a diversity function, so when on FM the unit will switch between the inputs if one of the aerials has a better signal than the other.

You can get a splitter so that you can connect your single aerial to both fakra terminals, this has 2 issues however. 1) no diversity function as the signal from both aerials are the same and 2) a fault code will be recorded with the aerial connections. Without a second aerial you'll have an aerial fault anyway. I fitted the splitter to my Octy2 when I added a columbus and it worked faultlessly, as it did when I fitted that unit into another Briskodians car after selling my Octavia.

Thanks mannyo. Understand it better now. I have already ordered splitter lead and will try this. Some discussion ad to how much this works as it halves signal to each, bad reception around here at best.

Bit off topic, but you mentioned before about you have VCDS. Can you alter options with this?

I do and I can, but I am not sure what options there are with regard to aerial / signal strength, etc.

Wasn't.necessarily thinking just radio, are their other things that can be altered.*

Loads!

Coming home lights, door bleeps on locking / unlocking, seat belt chimes, hazards on heavy braking, etc.

Take a look at the Ross Tech Wiki and also search this forum to see what can be done.

All the above info has been very interesting and helpful. Thanks all.