Bee sting aerial unit alternative.

[re2500]

My radio reception has always been non existant in my coupe, i had replaced the aerial unit and wiring a couple of times with no luck.
So as a stab in the dark i fitted an unamplified aerial unit and coax cable from a Skoda Octavia i broke a while back (i assume mk4 golf etc will be the same). Hey presto, instant radio reception! Fitment to the roof is the same, same connector for the headunit, just no requirement for the white amp wire!!
The aerial itself is longer, so i hope to replace the screw in aerial with an aftermarket shorter one, can anyone recommend one that works? Preferably still twangable rubber rather than a metal one.?

[djh]

honda civic

[Christophski]

How did you run the new cable down the length of the car? As in for me running an aerial cable down the length of the avant, under the headliner, I wouldnt have a clue how to go about doing this....

[djh]

How did you run the new cable down the length of the car? As in for me running an aerial cable down the length of the avant, under the headliner, I wouldnt have a clue how to go about doing this....

yours comes from under the aerial to the passenger side and then down the d pillar (furthest back one) so only a small section of the headlining needs slightly dropping.

[Christophski]

Score, lovely, cheers for the info

[johne]

The aerial itself is longer, so i hope to replace the screw in aerial with an aftermarket shorter one, can anyone recommend one that works? Preferably still twangable rubber rather than a metal one.?

Don't! You'll probably get worse reception if you do. The aerial is matched to the base and that length for a reason.

I did what you're proposing on a Polo and the results were terrible. Stick with the original one.

John

[Monkeymagic]

I bought a universal one for 15 quid from audio shop fitted it and made sure base was earthed well. Ran aerial to rear of stereo and had perfect reception and still have. With the original ones the white wire is a feed for the built in reception amp. WIth the modern aerials it isn't needed and is earthed to the body and simply plugs in. Looks factory and i get radio now.

[Christophski]

Tomorrow I'm buying a new aerial mind you that's the least of my issues with a blown head gasket

[re2500]

Thanks for the advice, ill stick to the original aerial and see whether i can live with it. Although i have found that Toyota IQ/Avensis estate, fit the unamplified VAG aerials and are shorter, people report a 8/10, 9/10 reception.

When i tested the Octavia aerial it wasnt fitted to the car, i just plugged it into the back of the stereo to test and i got great reception, maybe it'll be even better when properly earthed to the car??