Sharks Fin Antenna

**richard@thebrae** · 26-05-2008,11:22 PM

Hi has any one fitted one of these arials (Ebay special) ? the type that just fits over the base without having to get inside the roof lining, and if so, what was the reception like?

Regards Richard

**Leespaige** · 29-05-2008,01:12 AM

it seems no one thinks much of shark fin antenna, I asked same sort of question few days before you and yet to have a responce!! Have you gone ahead and ordered one?
I like the look but have concerns on ensuring it fits correctly to the roof of the car. Wouldn't have much of a worry about signal, recently brought a short antenna from ebay to replace original, and found the reception to be fine.

**richard@thebrae** · 29-05-2008,08:56 AM

I ordered one yesterday from vwinchina on Ebay @ £14 all in.
It is not the bolt on cover type, but a replacement base complete with built in Amp as per the origional base. (a replacement rod from Halford was £14 alone.)

As for signal strength I drive a car with a sharks fin antenna at work and travel the same route sometimes as my journey home in my own vehicle.

On this route I go through a short bad reception area (Glenfarg),and the sharks fin on the Jag is not much different in reception to my VW rod antenna.
My Daughter also has a new A4 with a sharksfin and has no probs.
Will post its performance when it arrives and is fitted.
Regards Richard

**exaisle** · 02-06-2008,10:03 AM

This is one of those areas in which size does matter. Sharks fin antennas are designed for FM reception in areas where signal strength is not a problem. But if you like listening to any of the AM channels and youre in an area of low signal strength then it best to stick with the small whip antenna.
Im on the east coast of Ireland and like to listen to BBC Five Live on AM.....which would be almost impossibe with a sharks fin antenna. The whip antenna on my B5.5 does an adequate job without being outstanding.

Just as an aside, the best antenna i had on a car was one of those huge fibreglass things that looked like a thin fishing rod. Didnt do much for fuel consumption though!

E

**richard@thebrae** · 02-06-2008,08:08 PM

Thanks for your experiance, I will let you know how I get on when it arrives from Hong Kong (Ebay). With ref to the other post, replacing the arial on the estate does not seem to difficult in theory, just three bits of trim to gain access inside the roof lining from the rear.

Remove the two D piller trims and the roof cross trim and the lining should drop enough to get at the securing nut and cable transition joint "states the hand book".
Has anybody done this ? if so please let me know how hard or easy it was.
I dont know about the saloon.

**hongkongstuey** · 02-06-2008,08:14 PM

i saw these while browsing ebay today, doesnt it say no connector is included or something similar? i do fancy one though!

This Shark Fin Antenna really have Amplifier inside!! 100% ready for all Mk4 VWs. NO any transition line / plug needed.

**richard@thebrae** · 02-06-2008,11:51 PM

This is what I have ordered, it appears to be a replica of the actual VAG antenna fitted to the latest Audi's, and what he is saying, is that it is plug'n'play, and that no adaptors are required.
I will post when it is fitted, what effort was required, and how it performs.
Regards Richard

**cpiddy7** · 03-06-2008,05:06 AM

Just a quick note here guys. I bought one that fitted to the car over the original fitting. It had a wire inside that you connect to the original aerial with a screw that came with it. The shark fin it's self sticks to the roof using sticky pads. As you can imagine the reception is very poor in built up areas. I was going to take it off but it came off in my hands when washing the car. My advise would be unless your going to replace it with a real shark fin, don't go wasting your money.