RNS-E aerial

**darich** · 11-06-2013,11:18 PM

Hi

Over the past few days or couple of weeks I've noticed the radio reception on my RNS-E system has quite a bit of static/crackling.....as if the aerial is damaged or not properly connected - for example, in South Lanarkshire where radio reception is perfectly fine, I can be tuned to the the local station, Radio Clyde, yet hear static come and go. Most/all stations are the same, to the point where the hissing and interference means you change channel, until the same thing happens again.
Every other feature works fine including SatNav.

Tonight I tried re-scanning the radio stations but the result is the same.....static while locked on as if the aerial isn't strong/big enough.

The system is completely stock and I've not changed or adjusted anything connected to the RNS-E to cause this.

Is there a common problem I should look at or some other issue that could cause this??
thanks

**Guest 2** · 12-06-2013,06:28 AM

Do you have anything plugged into the 12v/fag lighter?

A fault code scan would help.

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**kite** · 12-06-2013,09:22 AM

The antennas on B6&7's is a common failure and expensive to replace.
A scan would show an antenna fault.

bloody interweb phone.

**darich** · 12-06-2013,02:49 PM

Thanks guys.
I often have my phone plugged into the lighter socket.... Is that what damages the aerial?
I don't have vagcom so can't get a code. I do have another scanner though so will see if it can find anything.... Doubt it though.

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**Guest 2** · 12-06-2013,03:20 PM

I dont think bagpipingandy is far from you, maybe worth a PM to arrange a fault code scan with vcds?

VW AUDI Forum - bagpipingandy

**pdlh** · 15-06-2013,04:56 PM

Was this a factory fitted RNS-E or have you retrofitted it? I understand there is a known issue with retrofitted RNS-E on newer B7's whereby they have diversity aerials fitted, and the RNS-E Mk1 is only designed for a single aerial. With my retrofitted one, I get only limited strong signal stations on my RNS-E, and they can drop out easily, however the original radio in the car had perfect reception of all stations.

I wonder if the Mk2 RNS-E was designed for the more modern cars with the dual diversity aerial setup?

**darich** · 15-06-2013,06:04 PM

pdlh
I bought the car with the system already fitted and all the relevant Audi instructions. I believe the system was factory fitted but since I've not owned the car from new I couldn't say with 100% certainty.

**NHN** · 16-06-2013,01:43 AM

Originally Posted by pdlh

Was this a factory fitted RNS-E or have you retrofitted it? I understand there is a known issue with retrofitted RNS-E on newer B7's whereby they have diversity aerials fitted, and the RNS-E Mk1 is only designed for a single aerial. With my retrofitted one, I get only limited strong signal stations on my RNS-E, and they can drop out easily, however the original radio in the car had perfect reception of all stations.

I wonder if the Mk2 RNS-E was designed for the more modern cars with the dual diversity aerial setup?

MK1 & MK2 share the same diversity antenna system, no different, requires both connections & the correct amps to work correctly, B6 had the correct system for rns-e & some B7's, but all B7's with the chome dial head units, have the different antenna system to the rns-e.

As said, check the amps, these go.

**pdlh** · 17-06-2013,07:59 PM

Originally Posted by NHN

MK1 & MK2 share the same diversity antenna system, no different, requires both connections & the correct amps to work correctly, B6 had the correct system for rns-e & some B7's, but all B7's with the chome dial head units, have the different antenna system to the rns-e.

As said, check the amps, these go.

Ah yes, I replaced a chrome knob head unit with a RNS-E, hence poor radio signal, any guidance on whether it's possible to improve this?