HID on = radio reception off

Hyper · 05-31-2010, 09:14 AM

ok, this one got me... I noticed that when I turn on my headlights (HIDs wired in through a relay with proper ballast grounding) my radio reception kinda "dims" and gets more noise

anyone has any theories?

the ballasts do make the quiet buzzing sound when they work, so I can only assume this frequency creates noise?

*mods related:
HIDs, roof mounted active antenna, JDM frequency headunit

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Mulder · 05-31-2010, 09:27 AM

Ballasts, especially aftermarket ones, do create RFI/EMI. If the housings are plastic instead of metal it will be worse. The noise can get into your radio two ways, by radiated RF and power line noise. If it's being radiated, your amplified antenna may be making it worse.

Hyper · 05-31-2010, 09:30 AM

ballasts are metal, I got myself one of those "more expensive" HID kits

would disconnecting the power wire from the antenna make it better, or would this worsen the general reception?

Mulder · 05-31-2010, 12:00 PM

If the antenna is made with an internal preamp that requires power, then disconnecting it will probably make your reception worse. You can certainly try it.
Also if you have a portable FM radio you can try holding it near the antenna with the lights turned on to see if the noise is in fact being radiated and picked up by the antenna.

colin1234567 · 05-31-2010, 12:30 PM

HIDs kill FM radio reception.iPod integration FTW

Hyper · 05-31-2010, 12:32 PM

now I know if I am going home and night and there's a good song, I have to switch my headlights off and pray

suby09 · 05-31-2010, 10:06 PM

I have after market HIDS and dont have this problem. I did have a reception problem when I first changed out my head unit. Once I added a relay to the power antenna wire my issues went away. Try adding a relay to the power antenna and also check your ground wire. make sure the paint is scraped off the metal and that it is solid. Good Luck

XanRules · 06-01-2010, 01:24 AM

There is never a good song on the radio.

Also this is God's way of telling you to take out your HID kit.

Hyper · 06-01-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanRules

There is never a good song on the radio.

Also this is God's way of telling you to take out your HID kit.

care to elaborate what's wrong with HIDs installed in proper projection lenses?

05-31-2010, 09:14 AM	#1
Hyper Scooby Guru Member#: 15822 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: TOPOHTO Vehicle: 1999 WRB GM6 2.34 LR destroker	HID on = radio reception off ok, this one got me... I noticed that when I turn on my headlights (HIDs wired in through a relay with proper ballast grounding) my radio reception kinda "dims" and gets more noise anyone has any theories? the ballasts do make the quiet buzzing sound when they work, so I can only assume this frequency creates noise? mods related: HIDs, roof mounted active antenna, JDM frequency headunit Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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05-31-2010, 09:27 AM	#2
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 RAV4 MT 15 WRX/11 CRZ	Ballasts, especially aftermarket ones, do create RFI/EMI. If the housings are plastic instead of metal it will be worse. The noise can get into your radio two ways, by radiated RF and power line noise. If it's being radiated, your amplified antenna may be making it worse.

05-31-2010, 09:30 AM	#3
Hyper Scooby Guru Member#: 15822 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: TOPOHTO Vehicle: 1999 WRB GM6 2.34 LR destroker	ballasts are metal, I got myself one of those "more expensive" HID kits would disconnecting the power wire from the antenna make it better, or would this worsen the general reception?

05-31-2010, 12:00 PM	#4
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 RAV4 MT 15 WRX/11 CRZ	If the antenna is made with an internal preamp that requires power, then disconnecting it will probably make your reception worse. You can certainly try it. Also if you have a portable FM radio you can try holding it near the antenna with the lights turned on to see if the noise is in fact being radiated and picked up by the antenna.

05-31-2010, 12:30 PM	#5
colin1234567 Scooby Specialist Member#: 212639 Join Date: May 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Vehicle: WRX= 13/SWP/SOLD '10 NC2 Miata	HIDs kill FM radio reception.iPod integration FTW

05-31-2010, 12:32 PM	#6
Hyper Scooby Guru Member#: 15822 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: TOPOHTO Vehicle: 1999 WRB GM6 2.34 LR destroker	now I know if I am going home and night and there's a good song, I have to switch my headlights off and pray

05-31-2010, 10:06 PM	#7
suby09 Scooby Newbie Member#: 217985 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: In a box	I have after market HIDS and dont have this problem. I did have a reception problem when I first changed out my head unit. Once I added a relay to the power antenna wire my issues went away. Try adding a relay to the power antenna and also check your ground wire. make sure the paint is scraped off the metal and that it is solid. Good Luck

06-01-2010, 01:24 AM	#8
XanRules Scooby Guru Member#: 157348 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: OOoOuuUUUGGGHH!!!!! Vehicle: I Thlammed My Penith in the Car Door	There is never a good song on the radio. Also this is God's way of telling you to take out your HID kit.