Hello!

I bought a 2004 Octavia today, my first Skoda and I'd be grateful for some advice.

The car has the standard Skoda radio casette with a CD changer in the boot. The reception on the radio is OK for FM but nonexistent on AM. I've read quite a few posts on this and I understand that it's probably the aerial amplifier that's stopped working. Does this sound correct?

If I need to replace the whole aerial unit, where is the best place to get one from and how much should I be paying? Is it best to replace it with one the same or are there better models? How much should it cost to pay someone to place the unit?

Also, I may decide to replace the radio with an after market one as I want an input for my phone. If I do this do I still need to replace the faulty aerial? Would this still be replaced with a standard unit?

Thanks!

I picked up a base from a scrap yard from a mk4 golf (wasn't identical in shape, but close enough).  The older units may have suffered from water ingress and then fail... so you might want to buy new unless you can find a newish car in the scrap yard.

 

If you change the head unit, you will need a power injector unit to supply power to the amplifier in the base of the aerial and also disconnect the k-line wire, as otherwise you might toast a dealers car-diagnostics setup....

Why not buy a DAB radio? These come with their own aerial that you stick to the inside of the windscreen (very discreet) and that should be the end of your problem.

If you're going to buy a new aerial base, get one from the dealer. They're not really that expensive (£20/£30 something like that) as you'll never guarantee a used one will work.

I had exactly the same problem and just replaced the aerial with a new one from the dealer! Problem solved! Good luck.

Why not buy a DAB radio? These come with their own aerial that you stick to the inside of the windscreen (very discreet) and that should be the end of your problem.

 

Couple of our work vans had the antenna on the windscreen jobby. its was grand, but heavy rain used to mess with the reception...

How easy is it to change the aerial base ? Is it a case of un-screwing it or is it glued on ?