Fabi Vrs Sportsflex antenna

Superted · 08-11-2005, 13:05

I'm going to be fitting a new adio system very shortly (Blaupunkt DAB) so will have to change the AM/FM antenna.

My car is an 04 model (Sept 54) so the AM/FM radio connector could be VAG specific, standard DIN connector or the new type as fitted to Octy's which is FAKRA. Question is has anybody else changed there Sportsflex antenna for an aftermarket unit for this year and age of Fabia?

I am going to drop the headlining at the weekend and check but it might be worth a discussion beforehand and may help others.

The The · 08-11-2005, 18:16

I Have just fitted a stick on Aerial for my JVC Dab unit to my 05 Fabia and it works fine! It came free with the head unit so I was not expecting much, but I suppose a new roof aerial will look better. The DAB radio is superb you will not want to go back to conventional radio.

Superted · 08-11-2005, 19:52

It might be a bit of a ball ache with the installation but i want dual band function so that the DAB works on the continent as well,

so replacing the Sportsflex is the way to go. I have to agree though once fitted and running there's no turning back

bryand · 08-11-2005, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superted

I'm going to be fitting a new adio system very shortly (Blaupunkt DAB) so will have to change the AM/FM antenna.

My car is an 04 model (Sept 54) so the AM/FM radio connector could be VAG specific, standard DIN connector or the new type as fitted to Octy's which is FAKRA. Question is has anybody else changed there Sportsflex antenna for an aftermarket unit for this year and age of Fabia?

I am going to drop the headlining at the weekend and check but it might be worth a discussion beforehand and may help others.

I'm not sure what a Sportsflex antenna is (is that just the standard one?), but I've got the Blaupunkt DAB/FM/AM roof aerial on my '04 vRS and it works well. The amplifiers are in the base of the aerial, which fits the existing hole and has two downleads (one for DAB, one conventional for AM/FM). The spec says it handles continental L-band DAB signals as well as UK ones.

**VRStu** · 08-11-2005, 22:14

I think it's the type of AM/FM connector that is in question Bryan. Superted is able to source a replacment aerial at a reasonable price

and we are aware that we will have to route a DAB signal cable to the front but he wants to know if the car end of the connector will be of the older or newer design.

Can you remember what yours looked like?

Edit to include piccy -

bryand · 08-11-2005, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

I think it's the type of AM/FM connector that is in question Bryan. Superted is able to source a replacment aerial at a reasonable price

and we are aware that we will have to route a DAB signal cable to the front but he wants to know if the car end of the connector will be of the older or newer design.

Can you remember what yours looked like?

Edit to include piccy -

None of those look exactly right. The tuner end of the AM/FM was a 90 degree version of a TV-aerial type coax (top lead, left hand end). I bought a "VW adaptor" from Halfords and didn't need it. The DAB lead has a threaded female connector and also an adaptor lead with a miniature gold 90 degree coax socket which pushed over the (3mm?) spigot on my Pioneer DAB tuner. It looked like it might have had a thread on the inside of it, but it pushed on and stayed there. HTH.

**VRStu** · 09-11-2005, 06:37

The connection he is interested in is the one on the base of the aerial, in the roof.

bryand · 09-11-2005, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

The connection he is interested in is the one on the base of the aerial, in the roof.

The aerial base has three flying leads: one for +12V, and two coax connectors with screw collars for the signals. Long leads are supplied with the aerial so the flying lead connectors are simply for convenience when installing.

**VRStu** · 09-11-2005, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryand

The aerial base has three flying leads: one for +12V, and two coax connectors with screw collars for the signals. Long leads are supplied with the aerial so the flying lead connectors are simply for convenience when installing.

But was that the one you installed??

What he is tring to establish is should he get an Aerial with the Din or FAKRA connection fitted so that it will match the car's original cabling.

Superted · 09-11-2005, 16:40

It looks like the Skodas are fitted with a VW specific radio connector called RAST 2. This is i believe fitted to the coax coming from the radio head. We then need to interface this with the M10x0.75 on the antenna side so a patch lead with an RAKU 2 on will fit into the RAST 2 on the radio side (hope i'm making sense here)

I have already made an investigation and enquired with a German company who are submitting costs tomorrow (and hopefully an FOC sample for me by Monday

) I also have a drawaing of the patch lead part and a photo of the headlining down and the cables exposed on an Octavia 05. It seems that Skoda are using this part and VW are using FAKRA (possibly)

As soon as i know i will post up all details as this may assist everybody thinking of installing DAB.

**VRStu** · 09-11-2005, 16:51

A RAST 2 to DIN patch lead??

http://www.stualarm.cz/?pg=2.4&m=car-audio

Superted · 09-11-2005, 21:04

This is a very specific patch lead and not one that many audio dealers will stock. We did a check today and if all else fails then it's a case of cut off the connectors on each cable and re crimp on standard RF connectors instead. At least these are available but i am hoping the patch lead will work, this i won't find out until i drop the headlining.

08-11-2005, 13:05	#1
Superted Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Posts: 424 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Fabi Vrs Sportsflex antenna I'm going to be fitting a new adio system very shortly (Blaupunkt DAB) so will have to change the AM/FM antenna. My car is an 04 model (Sept 54) so the AM/FM radio connector could be VAG specific, standard DIN connector or the new type as fitted to Octy's which is FAKRA. Question is has anybody else changed there Sportsflex antenna for an aftermarket unit for this year and age of Fabia? I am going to drop the headlining at the weekend and check but it might be worth a discussion beforehand and may help others. __________________ cheeRS:

08-11-2005, 18:16	#2
The The Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I Have just fitted a stick on Aerial for my JVC Dab unit to my 05 Fabia and it works fine! It came free with the head unit so I was not expecting much, but I suppose a new roof aerial will look better. The DAB radio is superb you will not want to go back to conventional radio. __________________ http://www.derekslackmotors.skoda.co.uk .

08-11-2005, 19:52	#3
Superted Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Posts: 424 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	It might be a bit of a ball ache with the installation but i want dual band function so that the DAB works on the continent as well, so replacing the Sportsflex is the way to go. I have to agree though once fitted and running there's no turning back __________________ cheeRS:

08-11-2005, 22:14	#5
VRStu Briskoda Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 19,650 Thanks: 86 Thanked 837 Times in 755 Posts	I think it's the type of AM/FM connector that is in question Bryan. Superted is able to source a replacment aerial at a reasonable price and we are aware that we will have to route a DAB signal cable to the front but he wants to know if the car end of the connector will be of the older or newer design. Can you remember what yours looked like? Edit to include piccy - __________________ Stu - Freedom Pimp Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2007 Octavia vRS, Race Blue, Xenons, Columbus Navigation, Rear Parking Sensors, Maxi Dot, Light Assist, Jumbo Box, 18" Alloys, Stu's Cruise Control & OEM Integrated Bluetooth Telephone. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - 2002 Lotus Elise RaceTech, Gunmetal, Radio, Carpet Mats. Last edited by VRStu; 05-04-2006 at 22:32.

09-11-2005, 06:37	#7
VRStu Briskoda Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 19,650 Thanks: 86 Thanked 837 Times in 755 Posts	The connection he is interested in is the one on the base of the aerial, in the roof. __________________ Stu - Freedom Pimp Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2007 Octavia vRS, Race Blue, Xenons, Columbus Navigation, Rear Parking Sensors, Maxi Dot, Light Assist, Jumbo Box, 18" Alloys, Stu's Cruise Control & OEM Integrated Bluetooth Telephone. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - 2002 Lotus Elise RaceTech, Gunmetal, Radio, Carpet Mats.

09-11-2005, 16:40	#10
Superted Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Posts: 424 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	It looks like the Skodas are fitted with a VW specific radio connector called RAST 2. This is i believe fitted to the coax coming from the radio head. We then need to interface this with the M10x0.75 on the antenna side so a patch lead with an RAKU 2 on will fit into the RAST 2 on the radio side (hope i'm making sense here) I have already made an investigation and enquired with a German company who are submitting costs tomorrow (and hopefully an FOC sample for me by Monday ) I also have a drawaing of the patch lead part and a photo of the headlining down and the cables exposed on an Octavia 05. It seems that Skoda are using this part and VW are using FAKRA (possibly) As soon as i know i will post up all details as this may assist everybody thinking of installing DAB. __________________ cheeRS:

09-11-2005, 16:51	#11
VRStu Briskoda Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 19,650 Thanks: 86 Thanked 837 Times in 755 Posts	A RAST 2 to DIN patch lead?? http://www.stualarm.cz/?pg=2.4&m=car-audio __________________ Stu - Freedom Pimp Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2007 Octavia vRS, Race Blue, Xenons, Columbus Navigation, Rear Parking Sensors, Maxi Dot, Light Assist, Jumbo Box, 18" Alloys, Stu's Cruise Control & OEM Integrated Bluetooth Telephone. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - 2002 Lotus Elise RaceTech, Gunmetal, Radio, Carpet Mats.

09-11-2005, 21:04	#12
Superted Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Posts: 424 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	This is a very specific patch lead and not one that many audio dealers will stock. We did a check today and if all else fails then it's a case of cut off the connectors on each cable and re crimp on standard RF connectors instead. At least these are available but i am hoping the patch lead will work, this i won't find out until i drop the headlining. __________________ cheeRS:

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