Swapped a RCD510 in the Rabbit - Poor FM Reception

Just like the title says, I swapped a RCD-510 (AC revision) into my 2009 Rabbit. Everything works well, strong AM signal, crystal clear satellite radio, AUX input, no battery drain from the CANBUS, everything except the FM.

I had the very base stereo unit with only one antenna cable leading to the back.



I bought one of these to plug into the back of the radio before I knew I had only a single antenna cable back there. So one end is just hanging out with nothing plugged into it.

Dual Antenna Adapter

With this cable the FM signal is fairly poor. It goes anywhere from 8-30 dBuV and flips between MONO and POOR. (While AM is super strong at 60+)




Since I lack the second diversity antenna in my car, would a cable like one of these boost my signal? For $11 it would be worth a try regardless.

Diversity Antenna Adapter

Looking for any input or someone who has done the same thing.

Maybe a bad antenna adapter?

Boondock said:

Just like the title says, I swapped a RCD-510 (AC revision) into my 2009 Rabbit. Everything works well, strong AM signal, crystal clear satellite radio, AUX input, no battery drain from the CANBUS, everything except the FM.

I had the very base stereo unit with only one antenna cable leading to the back.

I bought one of these to plug into the back of the radio before I knew I had only a single antenna cable back there. So one end is just hanging out with nothing plugged into it.

Dual Antenna Adapter

With this cable the FM signal is fairly poor. It goes anywhere from 8-30 dBuV and flips between MONO and POOR. (While AM is super strong at 60+)

Since I lack the second diversity antenna in my car, would a cable like one of these boost my signal? For $11 it would be worth a try regardless.

Diversity Antenna Adapter

Looking for any input or someone who has done the same thing.

Click to expand...

It seems to be made for that purpose. I'd give it a try.

I ordered one and it should be here within the next couple days. I'll be sure to update this with the results!

Boondock said:

I ordered one and it should be here within the next couple days. I'll be sure to update this with the results!

Click to expand...

do your steering wheel controls work?

Barretoc said:

do your steering wheel controls work?

Click to expand...

My little bunny wasn't equipped with steering wheel controls. Total baseline, half MFD display on the dash, no bluetooth. Just trying to class it up a little bit with the new radio and such.

Update -

Got the 2nd antenna adapter. Didn't help FM reception at all. It may be something I have to live with if I can't find a solution for adding in a diversity antenna.

I bought this one for my Rabbit when I installed my RCD-510. It was recommended to me by another member and worked perfectly. Reception was instantly improved.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FAKRA-Antenne-RadioADAPTER-RCD510-RNS510-Diversity-RNS-/170471714079?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27b0e7ed1f&vxp=mtr


More info in this thread http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5629547-Chinese-RCD510-Install-Information

Interesting. I bought this cable and plugged it in.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diversity-R...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a980f51ba&vxp=mtr

Could it be that much different than the one you provided the link for?

Who still listens to FM? [emoji16]

If you can't get the factory antenna to work well, you could get a universal amplified antenna that can be hidden inside the vehicle and use an adapter to connect it to your radio.

Adapter: http://www.metraonline.com/part/40-EU20

Boondock said:

Interesting. I bought this cable and plugged it in.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diversity-R...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a980f51ba&vxp=mtr

Could it be that much different than the one you provided the link for?

Click to expand...

It looks like they have different connectors...

The one I posted lists the cable specs as:

Connector 1:- 1 x Fakra-Z plug (all key useful)
Connector 2:- Combination Fakra Jacks (with 1 x Fakra-B & 1 x Fakra-Z)


The one you posted lists the specs as:

1. Connector 1:- 1 x Fakra-B plug
2. Connector 2:- Combination Fakra Jacks (with 1 x Fakra-B & 1 x Fakra-Z)


So even though they look the same mine shows the single plug that connects to the antenna as Fakra Z, and yours as Fakra B. Maybe in Fakraland that makes a difference.