While we're on the subject of VW antennas I've been having tons of issues with mine.

I have a 2003 VW Jetta GLI with the Monsoon system. I've added an Alpine 7845 headunit to the stock
antenna. All the rest of the monsoon system has been removed (speakers, factory headunit, factory amp, etc).

I went to a few local stereo shops to find an antenna booster because I was told that I'd need one. I couldnt seem to get
any AM and the FM was pretty bad.
I was sold about 3 or 4 different adapters/boosters/etc which didnt seem to work. I finally got one that converted my
factory antenna lead into the typical type of male antenna adapter. Again, the ends all matched up this time but still
no AM and the FM was poor. I take it back to where I got it and the install guy says made they sold me a defective one
so I try out the new one he gives me and its better but still bad. At this point I'm upset cause I've purchased everything people
suggest and later had to return them. By the way, the 2003 is different from the 2002 and older ones I'm told.

I finally go to the local VW aftermarket store where the guys know everything. They said the best thing is to take the whole factory
antenna out and just put in an aftermarket one without any stupid adapters/boosters/etc.

I install the new aftermarket antenna right from the base on the roof straight to the head until. I now get AM and FM is drastically
improved but there is still some fading in and out of the FM I notice.

Any ideas how to get rid of this little fade? The guy at one stereo shop said its a VW curse and just to leave it.

I'd like to get rid of it if it doesnt cost me an arm and a leg.

Any suggestions or ideas from others with newer style VWs would be appreciated.

Mike.



"Paul Vina" wrote in message news:aomhb.529895$Oz4.407814@rwcrnsc54...
Gotcha. I thought you were referring to the antenna.


Paul Vina



"username" wrote in message news:F15hb.708954$YN5.586057@sccrnsc01...
Well I was referring to the amp turn on for the monsoon amp. It's doesn't need an amp turn on from the HU to work. Just did another VW today at work (2002 Passat) and it turns on from an audio signal through the speaker leads.

"Paul Vina" wrote in message news:iQ_gb.706516$YN5.575178@sccrnsc01...
Right, but the powered antenna adapter needs to get it's power from somewhere. That somewhere is the new radio's amp turn on lead or antenna lead. Some HUs have an antenna/amp lead that is on all the time and that will work with no problems. Mine and my wife's Pioneers have an antenna/amp turn on lead and we both get excellent reception. I made sure to mention it because I've known people that got the unpowered antenna adapter and they were ****ed when their reception sucked.


Paul Vina

"username" wrote in message . net...
Never had that problem with mine and it is the monsoon system, and with the am never had that problem either. All I did was buy the powered VW Antenna adaptor. Works great. I didn't have to use any turn on wires, so. . . .
"Paul Vina" wrote in message news:V%Tgb.707024$Ho3.155878@sccrnsc03...
The premium radio is NOT the Monsoon system. If you think the car has the
Monsoon system just turn it on. If it has the Monsoon system then "Monsoon"
will be shown on the radio display. Either way adding a new radio is a
piece of cake using the Metra wiring harness and antenna adapter. You won't
need to worry about the Monsoon amp powering up since it will get it's turn
on signal from the antenna's turn on signal. You HAVE to connect the
radio's turn on lead or you won't get any AM. If your radio had an amp and
antenna turn on lead make sure you use the AMP lead or the speakers will
turn off when you listen to a cd.


Paul Vina


"Michael Beacom" wrote in message
...
Hi-

Thinking of buying a 2000 Jetta GLS or GLX, and I have a question about
the factory radio.

Is the premium radio called "Monsoon"? I have the idea from somewhere
that it uses powered speakers. Is this correct?

Can you add an after-market radio, to add, say mp3 playback? and how do
hook it up to the powered speakers? ie: do the powered speakers use
standard line levels and impedances?

And finally, what CD changers work with Monsoon?

Thanks for your help,

Cheers
Beaker