Prius Accessories and Hybrid Car Parts

Shark Fin Antenna For Prius or Any Car

August 18, 2009

Have you ever wanted to get rid of that long horse-whip antenna on top of your roof? Tired of having a stubby antenna like everyone else and having to sacrifice reception

The Shark Fin Antenna creates a unique shape that is stylish and aerodynamic, but also in improves radio reception. They look great on a Prius or just about any car!

Utilizing fractal antenna technology it is a functional antenna that fits inside the shark fin and retains radio reception within all acceptable ranges. A fractal antenna is created using fractal geometry (repetition of a simple shape to form a repeating pattern) and has reception that rivals antenna designs 50% to 150% larger in size.  Shark Fin Antennas perform consistently better than any stubby antenna fitted on the same car.

Below are the simple instructions to install your antenna:

Remove the existing antenna. Then wipe your car around the antenna-base area with rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl). If your car is waxed, clean the area with 3M™ General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner or 3M™ Prep Solvent 70. As an alternative, you may also use a few drops of Dawn (liquid dish soap). Wipe the area again with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. Make sure there is no dirt, dust or any left over residue from your wash materials.

Place the VG Shark Fin Antenna over top of antenna base and visually align to where you want it to be; making sure that the gasket will not be touching any part of the antenna base. Take a piece of masking tape and place it immediately in front of shark fin (aligning forwards-backwards).

Take two pieces of masking tape and while making sure the shark fin is still aligned, place a piece of tape immediately left of the shark fin. Place the other piece of tape immediately right of the shark fin (aligning left-right).

Using the appropriate size mounting screw provided, mount the coiled cord to the rear-roof antenna base. Make sure the barrel of the ring connector (cylindrical part) is pointing downward. If the roof of your car is not at room temperature, take the hair dryer and heat up the roof around antenna base (the adhesive bonds properly at the right temperature). Make sure to move the hair dryer around and not stay in one spot so you do not damage your paint.

When the roof is about room temperature, slowly and carefully peel away a portion of the backing paper from the front end (make sure not to damage the adhesive foam gasket). Warning: The adhesive is very sticky! Make sure the adhesive touches the roof only when ready to do so.

Visually align the Shark Fin Antenna to the piece of masking tape in the front. Then visually align shark fin between the two sides pieces of masking tape (do not press down yet). We recommend having another person checking the alignment for you from the back. When you have double checked that you are aligned, press the front of the shark fin down and hold firmly for 1 minute (the adhesive is pressure sensitive).

Make sure the VG Shark Fin Antenna is still aligned, then press the rear of the antenna down and hold firmly for 1 minute. Remove masking tape.

Installation completed! Congratulations!

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Tags: hybrid information, Prius Accessories, shark fin antenna installation