Shark fin

[TheFinn]

Got a new aerial for the Megane:







Will try to remove the original aerial tomorrow if weather permits, and check if there's any current reaching the antenna amplificator, plus naturally bolt in the new fin as well.

Didn't want one of those massive BMW-like generic shark fins they sell everywhere. The one above I believe is similar to the ones fitted to the Vel Satis with the navigation option. Except this one doesn't have radio+GSM+GPS connections but just a radio connection.

[renier]

Does this have the same radio reception as the original one?

The original antenna is a lot longer and still it has a poor reception, as this one is a lot shorter, how is this solved, does it have a built-in signal amplifier?

Looks great, hope it will fit you car and work as good as it looks Post some pics when you're done!

[Bigfish]

Good luck removing and refitting the head cloth.

[ICEMAN]

the head cloth is only stuck on by velcrooooo!!!

really!!!

[TheFinn]

@renier: The original antenna and the new shark fin both have built-in amplifiers. Now that I've removed the original antenna I can say they're both even from the same manufacturer (Calearo)!

It's true that the shark fin's reception is poorer than that of the original due to its physical properties, but then on the other hand a college of mine has just the sort of a shark fin antenna on his new Saab 9-3 and has no problems with the quality of radio reception whatsoever, so I'm hoping that will be the case for the Megane as well.

Anyway, now I've fitted the new antenna so here are some pics.

First I removed the old one, noticed there was already some oxydisation in the antenna base so already that will have weakened the reception:



When I removed the connector to the antenna amplifier I noticed the connector had slightly oxydised as well. Funny as there were no signs of water leakages. Maybe it just gets damp from condensation between the roof panel and the roof lining, when the cavity gets alternately hot and cold depending on sunshine? Here are the connectors:



When I disconnected it I measured it for voltage with the radio on: 0V! After cleaning the spade connector with some electrical contact cleaner spray it started reading 12V, so the poor radio reception was probably just due to the amplifier not getting any "juice"!

Next I undid the antenna cable's connector at the C-post:



With the old antenna removed from the car I could compare the old (left) with the new (right):



Unfortunately the new antenna's cable is about 60 cm too short! So I'll have to buy an extension cable on Monday before I can listen to radio with the new antenna...

Before fitting the new antenna I coated it's base with some special grease originally meant for battery terminals to keep them from corroding. It's supposed to be conductive so I guess it should work here, too, hopefullly preventing or at least delaying oxydisation:



Here a final shot of the new antenna fitted on the roof. Sorry for the blurry picture but hope you'll get the idea:



I'll post some notes on the quality of the reception once I get the extension cable.

[renier]

Nice! Good pictures also.

[danbrazier]

where did you buy this from? i'm tempted to try one out - because the facotry-fitted antenna is damn ugly!

[ICEMAN]

hi mate, when i disconnected my ariel, there was the antenna wire and a red cable...what was this for?

[TheFinn]

where did you buy this from? i'm tempted to try one out - because the facotry-fitted antenna is damn ugly!

It's made by Calearo - I bought it from my local ICE garage here in Finland. If your from the UK then I'm afraid there might not be a distributor in your country...

But if you're after good FM reception my advice is: Don't buy one like I did! I finally got the extension cable today and was able to connect the antenna to the radio. With poor results, the reception is as crackly as with the original antenna! So that was 55 € well wasted... But it does LOOK cool...

hi mate, when i disconnected my ariel, there was the antenna wire and a red cable...what was this for?

The red wire is the +12V feed for the antenna amplifier built-in in the base of the aerial.

[CanadianMike]

ive been tempted to totally remove teh antenna and get the hole filled in as i dont listen to the radio(as i can get the music i want on cd's atm(no cable for ipod atm either so thats the main priority) but a decent shark fin or similar product that is available in the UK would be nice if anyone knows where to get one, and as said above, i dont want one that looks like its come from a BMW

[ICEMAN]

well i looked into that, i think it would look smashing!!

you can (if you want radio) buy a dab tuner and get an rear window mounted antenna.

not sure baout finding an antenna that dont look like the BMW's as they are the origionators

[CanadianMike]

how would this DAB tuner work with the car? would it be a totally new stereo or???

if it works with the original stereo then ill be doing that...
any info would help!

[ICEMAN]

im not sure that you can connect it to your OEM stereo.

it would have to be an aftermarket one.

glass mounted aerial:

http://www.lowcostcaraudio.co.uk/shop/JVC-HAL1-DAB-Internal-Glass-Mount-Aerial_productJJ1539ZZcategoryJJ/DAB/Aerials/

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/category.asp?category=548

thats all i could find mate.

[cactusbob]

Question about the amplified aerials. Where does it get the power from? Is it always supplied with 12v when the car is on or is it output from the radio somehow?

[ICEMAN]

when you disconnect the origional ariel, there is another wire there i presume its that!