Shark Fin Antenna Question

**Grindlefinch** · 08-10-2008,07:10 PM

Hi

I've just started to install a Shark Fin 2 antenna to my 2004 A6 Avant,
Does anybody know if I can take the 12v power for the antenna from the interior boot light or is this not a good idea?
if not any suggestions?

Cheers

Graham

**Issac Hunt** · 09-10-2008,12:13 AM

Why would you want to go to the bother of retro-ing a sharkfin??

**Grindlefinch** · 09-10-2008,07:48 AM

The rubber seal at the bottom of the antenna had split, perished and come away
plus the antenna was cracked in two places from the car wash I guess... so I got one of these instead of a new standard one.
It will pick up FM stations without the 12v being connected
but when you scan it won't lock on anything go to AM and there is nothing!

**Peter D** · 09-10-2008,08:23 AM

According to the diagrams there is an amplifier close to the aerial you already have and that has a live power feed. Regards Peter

**Grindlefinch** · 09-10-2008,08:35 AM

I have managed to install it with only removing the interior boot light and couldn't see anything else near it?

Forgive my inexperience....
if there was a separate booster wouldn't that boost the signal without connecting the 12v from the shark fin?
or doesn't it work that way?

**Peter D** · 09-10-2008,09:05 AM

Your vehilce uses several aerials the side window glass left and right has aerials burried in the glass and the roof aerial The amplifiers deal with different bands MW, LW and FM.
Eamil me at Info@3DAssociates.co.uk and I'll send you a diagram.

The shark fin has multi band amps inside it.

Regards Peter

**eeyore** · 09-10-2008,08:11 PM

I've got the same problem with a perished rubber seal on the aerial. The sharkfin idea is interesting as it won't get in the way of things on the roofbars, which the std bee-sting does

Were did you get the 'fin and how much was it?

I'd really appreciate if you could post some tips/experience when you have it sorted as I might go the same way with mine.

**Grindlefinch** · 09-10-2008,10:21 PM

Originally Posted by eeyore

I've got the same problem with a perished rubber seal on the aerial. The sharkfin idea is interesting as it won't get in the way of things on the roofbars, which the std bee-sting does

Were did you get the 'fin and how much was it?

I'd really appreciate if you could post some tips/experience when you have it sorted as I might go the same way with mine.

Hi Eeyore

I got the Shark Fin 2 from: Rockshore Automotive Styling Car Accessories -
they have a shop on e-bay - Item description: 'SHARK FIN 2' CAR ROOF AERIAL/ANTENNA FUNCTIONING FM/AM

It cost £13.99 plus £1.75 postage.

Installation was quite easy, I took out the boot interior light ( just pops out with a screw driver ) and you can see the antenna fixing bolt,
unscrew, then I cut the cable at the base of the antenna, cleaned the roof were the old antenna was
then a put a line of clear sealant on the base of the new antenna and bolted it back down.
Then I cut the connector off the new antenna and connected both cables together with wire connectors and tape.

The next thing I need to do is get the 12v cable rigged up...
I had a quote from an auto electrician ( £40 ) to take the power from the radio so it will turn off the power to the antenna
when you take the key out so it doesn't drain the battery.
( I was just going to take the power from the boot light... but was told it was a bad idea )
You can still pick up FM stations without connecting the 12v but the scan function doesn't work and you can't get any AM stations.

Oh... I've not had the 12v rigged up yet so I don't know the result yet!

Hope this helps

**eeyore** · 11-10-2008,11:16 AM

I've got the BOSE system in my car and there is a bass unit in the boot behind the RH panel. Presumably I could pick up a live feed from that as (I assume) it will only be live when the radio is on?

Let me know how your's is when it's fully connected as I will probably go for the same upgrade if it's succvessful for you.