Having big problems plugging antenna into new stereo - blows stereo

You've dislodged or knocked something, and now your antenna lead is live. You've fried both stereos by connecting the live feed into their ariel sockets.

Sorry !

Try a volt meter across the antenna inner core and outer braided copper sheath. Maybe it's picking up current from somewhere (is it an automatic motorised aerial?). Having said that the outer sheath does become live as it acts as the earth return when the radio is switched on. It's usually connected to the aerial fixing point by a serrated washer which has to make good contact with the bodywork. If you are connecting the antenna with the radio powered up it might spark as it makes contact with the socket. The radio should have a fuse though, shouldn't fry it, just blow the fuse. Years since I was involved but just check that the radio is twelve volt negative earth. DaveK.

I just have the standard ariel. The ariel connection sparks with no radio connected. I didn't have a problem until the main ariel sheeth was connected to the receiving sheath on the radio - a copper wire between the two worked (but wasn't stable).

Beyond me. That's weird. Time to pay a car radio specialist I reckon. DaveK.

on tail end here mate which car? some have powered aerials(amp built in)

Peugeot 306 standard 1.9 Diesel. 1998 S Plate (UK).

standard aerial then check for a live on the shielding just in case its rubbed through somewhere against a live wire