Shark Fin Aerial

[iQ-Chris]

Hi everyone

I'm interested in buying a cheap shark fin aerial for my iQ and just wondered if anybody could point me in the right direction..?

Does it have to be wired in, or can I just stick the plastic cover over the existing aerial base?

All help gratefully received.

Chris

2012 iQ² with red leather upholstery ☆ upgraded interior lighting ☆ white backlit dashboard/switches ☆ auto-folding mirrors ☆ smart entry ☆ auto-locking doors ☆ chrome exhaust ☆

[tarquin]

Hi chris

The radio has a in-line amplifier so some of the fins you see have a pre-amp which will overload the existing one also they would need 12v power to power it. There msy be some fin " aerials" out there that have a threaded connection and a short bit of wire in there but although they look good, and good for reception in say London. You may struggle in the outskirts

David

[tarquin]

Chris

Your photo would not be suitable you would have to take the roof lining down and remove the existing aerial mount and take the new cable through the roof and find a way to get it to your radio pre amp. On the other hand i may be able to modify ( adapt) it for you

David

[Ady168uk]

Got it from eBay,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shark-Fin-Aerial-AM-FM-Antenna-for-TOYOTA-IQ-White-/262011685168?hash=item3d011d0930

Reception hasn't been affected just as clear, prefer the look compared to original

[iQ-Chris]

Looks great! How would a novice like me go about fitting one? Thanks!

Chris

iQ² in black ☆ red and white leather ☆ sunroof ☆ upgraded interior lighting ☆ white backlit dashboard/switches ☆ auto-folding mirrors ☆ smart entry ☆ auto-locking doors ☆ chrome handles and exhaust

[Ady168uk]

it simply attaches via double side 3m tape which is already cut out with the right size and shape.

haha if I can manage it anyone can

[iQ-Chris]

Sounds good, but what about removing the old aerial?

Chris

iQ² in black ☆ red and white leather ☆ sunroof ☆ upgraded interior lighting ☆ white backlit dashboard/switches ☆ auto-folding mirrors ☆ smart entry ☆ auto-locking doors ☆ chrome handles and exhaust

[Ady168uk]

you just unscrew it, the new one has an attachment you screw back into the original socket and the cover sits on top of the whole thing.

take a look at the eBay link, there are some pictures showing how it all fits

[iQ-Chris]

Thanks Ady! I've ordered one and will be fitting it this weekend.

Chris

iQ² in black ☆ red and white leather ☆ sunroof ☆ upgraded interior lighting ☆ white backlit dashboard/switches ☆ auto-folding mirrors ☆ smart entry ☆ auto-locking doors ☆ chrome handles and exhaust

[Ady168uk]

Nice one Chris, let me know how you get on, what colour did you go for?

[iQ-Chris]

Will do! My iQ is black so a black aerial it is :)

Chris

iQ² in black ☆ red and white leather ☆ sunroof ☆ upgraded interior lighting ☆ white backlit dashboard/switches ☆ auto-folding mirrors ☆ smart entry ☆ auto-locking doors ☆ chrome handles and exhaust

[tarquin]

I have a White one on order

David

[Ady168uk]

haha I have spawned some more sharks :)

[Carlps]

IQ Chris, how did the colour match for the black? I assume well? ;)

[iQ-Chris]

I was very happy with the colour match; unfortunately it's quite difficult to show that in a close-up.

Chris

iQ² in black ☆ red and white leather ☆ sunroof ☆ upgraded interior lighting ☆ white backlit dashboard/switches ☆ auto-folding mirrors ☆ smart entry ☆ auto-locking doors ☆ chrome handles and exhaust

[Carlps]

Looks good! Thanks for posting the picture, will have another butchers at the eBay listings!

[Mark_P]

Here is Einstein with a Shark Fin (not pearl white though), which I purchased from AliExpress

[tarquin]

Very nice Mark. I have the very same one

David

[Mark_P]

David,

How do you find the signal strength of this particular fin? I'm having particular problems maintaining a strong signal with Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Mark

[tarquin]

Hi Mark

I did do a a long right up on Antenna's for the iQ. The original Antenna for the iQ is incorrect in length. Although tightly helically wound, it is too short and in fact the Antenna on our Toyota Verso is the correct length for the iQ. It is quite long and suspect the exterior designers didn't like it. The original Antenna is 3db's down on the Verso one. 3db= approx half signal strenth. The helically wound spring in tbe shark fin is a total compromise as it is very close to the body of the car thus making it quite in efficient. I measutes it at around -5db dependant in frequency chosen. I live on the out skirts of London so reasonably ok but rurally deaf as a post. If your listening to FM the Antenna at 100mhz should be 75cm long.like on old cars. Pre amplifiers are employed in the iQ as in most modern cars. The Antenna's are 76cm helucally wound to make them visually smaller but electrically the right length. Unfortunately, there are losses as much as 6db!!

Sorry for all the tec stuff

David Broacast Engineer Transmitter Engineer

[Lucalazio]

On 16/1/2016 at 10:23 AM, Mark_P said:

Here is Einstein with a Shark Fin (not pearl white though), which I purchased from AliExpress

Your antenna is the flat model or the curved model?

What is fitted for IQ?

Thanks and bye, Luca.

[Mark_P]

Hey Luca,

The roof is slightly curved, but the Shark Fin purchased was a flat roof model and it fits fine.