Small Change, Big Improvement

[Daveyonthemove]

I've been looking to change my Auris Aerial for ages, and after buying a shark fin replacement that was going to be too much work to fit, i decided to look for an alternative, and by pure chance, i spotted a suitable replacement on a VW Polo (new shape).

A quick visit to the parts department, and i bought one from stock.

Total price was £13.78 inc VAT, and reception is the same as before. Part Number: 6R0035849

Not a bad price for a genuine part, and IMO it looks better than the Toyota OEM one.

Hope this helps anyone else looking for an alternative.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Did you replace the complete aerial, or just the mast?

[Daveyonthemove]

Just the mast. It fits perfectly.

[romulon]

That's neat.

The standard one is flexible so if it fowls a low beam it bends without damage.

Does this replacement 'flex'?

It looks around half the length of the old one... so how can it give the same signal strength?

Car radios have AGC (automatic gain control) so a slightly reduced RF signal strength will have no noticeable effect if the RF signal strength in your area is sufficient.

Only weaker signals (where the AGC has reached high gain levels) would be affected by any reduction in received RF signal strength.

Try swapping back to the old antenna while tuned into a very weak signal. This method should give a better indication of the difference, rather than using a strong signal.

If you have and use AM (mw,lw) as well as FM (vhf), apply this technique on those wavebands as well.

Hopefully there is no significant difference.

Of course the ultimate way to check is to connect an RF signal strength meter to the radio rf input to compare them...

Oh s**t, just realised I'm having a nerd attack

(Hang on, I know what'll fix it... )

Right (hic). Back to normal now. Bottom line is if it looks good & works fine, who gives a flyin' f?@! about 'kin "signal strength" :P

Nice one Dave!

[Daveyonthemove]

Thats a lot to take on board and consider

The bottom part of the Aerial is as thick as the original, and i think most of the wires would be compact into that area, removing the need for the longer tip.

There are a few areas near me where a strong signal (Radio 1) use to go weak and need a retune, so i will keep my eye on the signal in these areas and see if the new aerial is has the same issues.

[FROSTYBALLS]

I got one myself today - the Toyota item kept snagging the underside of the up and over door to my garage. The replacement is a lot shorter, so clears the door, fits a treat, and is flexible.

[Daveyonthemove]

Glad you found the post useful.

I think it looks a lot nicer than the oversized standard one, and like you say, its more garage friendly.

Any difference on your reception?

[FROSTYBALLS]

Pretty sure that there is no difference in reception - although being approx 3 miles away from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter, I live in a strong signal area. Yes - it does look a lot better than the original. Really pleased.