What Aerial/Antenna Connection in the back of the Symphony Radio?

[Garroth]

Hi, can people just tell me if the aerial connector in the back of a Symphony radio is the standard connection like the plug shown on the end of this one or will I need some kind of adapter? What adapter do I need if that's the case please?



I want to try opening the dash and fitting an aftermarket aerial to the parents car as the radio reception is useless as has been documented in other threads. Am I going about this the wrong way?

Any help appreciated thanks.

[Gin+]

Yikes... Not sure on your attenuation expectancy but the Fakra connector is what you'll be dealing with. http://www.tme.eu/en/details/zrs-fak...ers/4carmedia/

[Garroth]

Yikes... Not sure on your attenuation expectancy but the Fakra connector is what you'll be dealing with. http://www.tme.eu/en/details/zrs-fak...ers/4carmedia/

Sorry about this, I'm completely clueless, can you explain? I cant find any information on it, is there a way to plug in what seems to be the standard aftermarket aerial connection in my pic into the back of the Symphony, thats all I want to do, Ive tried emailing Audi, ringing 2 of their dealers, nothing, please spell it out for me dont worry about being patronising...

[ozMatt]

Sorry about this, I'm completely clueless, can you explain? I cant find any information on it, is there a way to plug in what seems to be the standard aftermarket aerial connection in my pic into the back of the Symphony, thats all I want to do, Ive tried emailing Audi, ringing 2 of their dealers, nothing, please spell it out for me dont worry about being patronising...

Hi Garroth,
Check out post #66 in this thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Upgrade/page2
The second pic shows the antenna plugs on the Symphony 2.

If this is what you have, you'll need this adapter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scosche-VWAR...xVWJqY&vxp=mtr

However, you may find that an aftermarket antenna may not improve the reception at all. I have tried a similar solution and in fact it was worse for me. I think part of the reason is the factory antenna system is actively amplified, and most commonly it's issues with the antenna amplifier that cause the issues.

Check out this thread for more info as well: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Fob-Reception

Cheers, Matt

[Garroth]

Hi Garroth,
Check out post #66 in this thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Upgrade/page2
The second pic shows the antenna plugs on the Symphony 2.

If this is what you have, you'll need this adapter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scosche-VWAR...xVWJqY&vxp=mtr

However, you may find that an aftermarket antenna may not improve the reception at all. I have tried a similar solution and in fact it was worse for me. I think part of the reason is the factory antenna system is actively amplified, and most commonly it's issues with the antenna amplifier that cause the issues.

Check out this thread for more info as well: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Fob-Reception

Cheers, Matt

Thanks a million Matt, are you saying the back of the symphony theres no way to supply 12V power to an amplifier like in most car radios? I might just give up then, thanks.

[Garroth]

And I assume this FAKRA adapter I already have wont be any good?

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/250914907576?...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[ozMatt]

I don't think the farkra connection is the main antenna connection, i think it just tells the stock headunit which antenna has the strongest signal. (The B6 uses a multiple antenna system if i remember correctly). So no it won't do much for you.

As for the 12v to an amp - we are not talking about the same type of amplifier :)

What i meant was the antenna has it's own amplifier to boost the signal. Most aftermarket antenna don't have this.

If you looked at the thread i linked earlier, you'll see cracked antenna/booster components are very common and can cause loss of signal. You'll also see that there is a recommendation to clean/sand the contacts on the back of the booster and the back window as well. (antenna's are like demister wires in the back window).

You could try replacing the booster part if yours is cracked, it may fix the problem. (But they can be expensive new).

The other thing I am personally going to try is to run new antenna wires. The reason for this is under close inspection, the 'demister' type antenna wires built in to the back window on my car appear to be "burnt" in some sections. My theory is that if they are burnt through (or the resistance has altered enough) I'm basically running with a busted antenna, so running some new wires should hopefully confirm (or squash) my theory.

[Garroth]

I don't think the farkra connection is the main antenna connection, i think it just tells the stock headunit which antenna has the strongest signal. (The B6 uses a multiple antenna system if i remember correctly). So no it won't do much for you.

Damn, is this true of all the symphony radios do you know? Sounds like it might be easier to just swap the whole thing out.

When I say 12V to a new amplifier I mean most of the aerials you buy on Ebay are amplified, they have the standard aerial connection and a 12v wire that needs to be connected somewhere, Im wondering if theres any way for the Symphony to supply that 12v like most car radios do?

[ozMatt]

for 12v to a powered antenna i'd just tap it into an existing switched 12v line. (this way it's only powered when the ignition is in "acc"or "on".

If you're going to try it, let us know how you went, and if it works, what parts you used

[AudiA4b6US]

Fakra is diversity, the DIN connector is the main antenna wire. You need a DIN to ISO adapter like http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAR-RADIO-ST...UAAMXQRPRTHbwK to connect an aftermarket antenna to the Symphony. I would strongly recommend to fix the diversity antenna though, there is a reason why Audi chose that setup. There is not KL15 (switched ignition power) in the Symphony II harness, if you need 12V if ignition is on you will need to find it elsewhere.

[diagnosticator]

Symphony II or II +? The Symphony II uses the same antenna connector as shown in the pic, as well as a "ZF" connector to communicate and power the antenna amp from the Sym II. The Sym II+ uses dual Fakra antenna connectors, but if the B6 antenna amp is used, only one of the two Fakra connectors can be used. An adapter to go from the DIN/ISO to Fakra will be needed.