Recently had to remove my standard aerial on my Mk1 Fabia due to having the roof sprayed. So decided to fit a new shark type aerial whilst I was at it.

 

My previous setup was an aftermarket Alpine head unit and the standard aerial and cable. I'd previously had reception issues due to the built-in amplifier in the head unit. I purchased one of the in-line aerial boosters fitted behind the head unit and my reception was fantastic!

 

However, since wiring up my new aerial I can't get anything, even with my booster in place. I have cut the standard aerial wire and wired up a female connector to it so that I can plug the new aerial in. There is also a red wire coming from the aerial to power an apparent in-built amplifier. I ran some wire from the spare power lead off the head unit to this to see if it made any difference (before I went to the effort of finding a live feed in the boot), and it actually makes the reception worse for some reason??

 

Can anyone shed any light on the situation for me please?!

 

Thanks

Most if not all shark fin replacement aerials are for looks only as the reception is shockingly poo. You would be best off refitting the std one and fitting the stubby mk2 aerial to it

It sounds like the cutting of the wire and fitting the female connector is the issue. Are you sure its connected properly at that point? Personally I would have recommended an adaptor as refitting connectors is always a bit fiddly.

Completely forgot to reply to this!

 

 

It's definitely connected at the connector. It doesn't pick up anything at all without it connected. With it as it is I just get the local radio station, albeit not the best quality.

 

Why the hell do they sell them if they don't pick up anything!?!

 

Anyone know of anything extra I can fit to sort the problem?? Getting on my nerves not having a radio signal, and I'm reluctant to refit the back panels until it's sorted...

They are usually fine in strong signal areas like big cities or close to the transmitters, guessing your out in the sticks in NE Wales and miles from the transmitter.

 

If its an aftermarket unit, the actual aerial may only be a few inches long which compared to the factory coiled aerial has significantly more length.

You could try replacing it with a coat hanger.

If your using an aftermarket head unit as well you could try an inline aerial amplifier there under £10. So worth a try. If not it's put up with no radio or go back to a std aerial base and fit a stubby aerial to that