Best place to install the RNS-E GPS Antenna

**vcharan** · 08-09-2007 09:03 PM

Best place to install the RNS-E GPS Antenna RNs-E ON 2006 B7

**TSlice** · 08-09-2007 09:12 PM

I think the standard spot is behind the instrument cluster on top of the steering column, but any place under the dash should work as long as there is no metal above the antenna. You could also put it under the decklid, but I don't know why you'd want to.

**Tiesto** · 08-09-2007 09:32 PM

I was under the impression that all that was wired to the antenna on the roof.

**peta8368** · 08-09-2007 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Tiesto

I was under the impression that all that was wired to the antenna on the roof.

I believe if you purchase your car with rns-e, the satellite antenna is wired to the shark fin. However, if you are retrofitting, you would need to run your own receiving unit/antenna, and it'd be easier if it's near the dash.

**TSlice** · 08-09-2007 09:49 PM

That is correct, if your car didn't come from the factory with navi, the sharkfin won't have a GPS antenna. You can either retrofit the GPS sharkfin, or add a GPS antenna. I think everyone adds a GPS antenna because it is much easier and a GPS antenna relatively cheap; I hate to think how much Audi charges for a new sharkfin.

**i3oricua** · 08-09-2007 10:33 PM

I'm gonna take a picture to show you but if you look in that giant gap where your rns-e will be when you have the radio out you'll see that there is some metal up on the left hand side towards the driver's side. That antenna magnet will grab on there just fine and you'll get a great signal.....at least I do. Hope this helps.

**wootang00** · 08-10-2007 12:18 AM

I believe you are incorrect on this. All the new b7's with a sharkfin have a gps antenna available regardless if you had an rns-e or not.

I havent done it.. but from reading on navplus.us thats the general consensus.

Originally Posted by TSlice

That is correct, if your car didn't come from the factory with navi, the sharkfin won't have a GPS antenna. You can either retrofit the GPS sharkfin, or add a GPS antenna. I think everyone adds a GPS antenna because it is much easier and a GPS antenna relatively cheap; I hate to think how much Audi charges for a new sharkfin.

**Raistlin** · 08-10-2007 07:44 AM

I heard the same thing, new B7s even without NAV from fractory are Pre-Wired and ready for the NAV headunit with GPS antenna in the fin. You don't even need the adapter harness from what I have read.

**Tiesto** · 08-10-2007 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Raistlin

I heard the same thing, new B7s even without NAV from fractory are Pre-Wired and ready for the NAV headunit with GPS antenna in the fin. You don't even need the adapter harness from what I have read.

That's what I thought!

**peta8368** · 08-10-2007 08:25 AM

yes, the sharkfin can act as the antenna in all b7's, but the "pre-wire" probably ends somewhere relatively close to the fin, so you would need to run your own cable for a pretty long distance and will need to pull the headliner in order to hide the antenna cable. That's a major hassle

**David-Alexander** · 08-10-2007 08:41 AM

The roof mounted antenna works with Satellite Radio, Phone and GPS. If you want to hook-up your RNS-E directly to your antenna you need to purchase a GPS Extension Cable - FAKRA to FAKRA. The hook-up is located on the rear passenger side pillar, remove it carefully. You will see two connections, near the roof; one blue for the Fakra (GPS) and one pink for factory phone. Hook-it up, run the cables and your all set. I always pick-up 7-8 satellites, under the dash I always got 4-5.