Shark fin aerial

Mike_M · Post by **Mike_M** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:43 pm

Well after having my Honda S2000 aerial nicked I refused to buy another one for it to happen again so looked into gettinga VW shark fin item (1K0 035 507 J)

These aerials have a different connector to pre 2005 VW's and the aerials workin a different way so some modding is required.

I first got the shark fin from VW

and then got a spare standard aerial base to work with :

I then took apart the shark fin and then the standard aerial base

I transfered the standard aerial into the shark fin and did a little rewiring to fit and also attached 3m of 8amp cable to the point where the normal aerial whould screw in and make contact as the FM reception is crap from my experiments

Put it all back together

Took the inside of my car apart to get the roof lining down :blink: and then unbolted the original aerial to install the new shark fin.

I routed the long black aerial (8amp cable) on the roof lining and put it all back together.

EDIT: I have since shortened the aerial lead to about 75cm and grafted the standard aerial base nut to it, to allow the original aerial to be screwed in and this seems to work better that before.

FM radio works fine if positioned correctly after a little trial and error. Some weak channels are a little poor, but others are fine.......as mentioned its a trial and error thing, until you find the perfect position.

In the summer I may colour code the uper part of the shark fin, but will see

polo_gti21 · Post by **polo_gti21** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:54 pm

looks cool mate you got a pic a bit further away so i can see the what it looks like on the car.

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:10 pm

That looks pretty good! Top work Mike

Mike_M · Post by **Mike_M** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:36 pm

Not got another pic at the moment but will see what I can do tomorrow.

wulee · Post by **wulee** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:00 am

Cool Shark Fin! I'm gonna order one and mod it.

I wonder if u can explain a little bit more on the following.

1. Can i just take down my existing aerial bases to work on it (I don't think i can easily found spare standard aerial bases to work with like u do.

2. I see that the spare standrad aerial base seems to have only a short cable between the base and the connector and u transfer it to the Shark Fin with a little rewiring to fit. Is the shark fin rewiring difficult? Are the wires same colors?

3. My FM reception is fine with the stock beesting aerial. I wonder if i can just stop after rewiring the shark fin and put the it all back to the roof. Or do i really need to "attached 3m of 8amp cable to the point where the normal aerial whould screw in"

4. What is a 8amp cable by the way.

Thanks in advance.

CymruPolo · Post by **CymruPolo** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:22 pm

I like it

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:26 pm

Very nice mate,

I'd recommend posting this in the DIY section too so it's easier to find in the future

Mike_M · Post by **Mike_M** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:20 pm

1. You can use your existing aerial but dont blame me if you damage it

2. The two standard aerials I got from the breakers had the same connection but different coax but identical guts , if that makes sense.

3. Try taking the bee sting off your aerial base and then listen to the radio

4. 8amp cable is power cable that it sold at Halfords......does not need to be 3m long as cut mine down to 75cm now, but you are better off starting long and cutting it back

You may need to experiment with the cable aerial position as it may differ in terms of reception to my Lupo being yours is a Polo......or it may not

wulee · Post by **wulee** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:22 am

Thanks mike!

Cheers

neilGTI · Post by **neilGTI** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:59 am

cool mod

Mike_M · Post by **Mike_M** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:20 pm

I have been a little busy this weekend creating some more shark fins for people and finally got round to colour coding mine

BEFORE

AFTER

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:59 pm

Looks sweet

ticki · Post by **ticki** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:49 pm

i like that alot

MaxDub · Post by **MaxDub** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:09 pm

Thats nice mate

dont suppose you have a spare rubber seal from the old aerial base, as im in need of a new one as mines falling apart...

Thanks Bud

Mike_M · Post by **Mike_M** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:47 am

Cheers....think it looks even better now its colour coded as it blends into the roof more

@ MAXDUB: Will have a look in my parts bin for you.