04 WRX - Window tint affect reception?

IMPRZV1 · 01-19-2004, 03:25 PM

I have an 04 WRX and the dealer claims that my window tinting affected my radio reception. This was after I complained that it didn't work very well (AM almost nothing) and they replaced several parts ( including the stereo for the 3rd time). Anyone else have a problem with this or does my window tint suck?

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kenchan · 01-19-2004, 03:46 PM

?!

not sure if radio waves have anything to do with light
wave lengths.

aren't you using the antenna on the a-pillar?

lettucemanatee · 01-19-2004, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kenchan
?! not sure if radio waves have anything to do with light
wave lengths.

aren't you using the antenna on the a-pillar?

some tints have metallic bases. that is what might possibly affect the reception, not the light filtration

IMPRZV1 · 01-19-2004, 06:32 PM

The 04 WRX has the antenna built into the rear window with the defroster.

Bankie · 01-19-2004, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IMPRZV1
The 04 WRX has the antenna built into the rear window with the defroster.

Yeah, and the tint goes on the inside of the window. I'd try to explain to the dealer that the tint IS NOT between the antenna and the glass. The tint will have no effect on radio reception.

I have an 04 with 32% tint and do not have any reception problems.

skyhawk · 01-19-2004, 09:05 PM

I have dealer installed tinting on my windows. With my stock hu I couldn't pick up any AM stations, none!! I have recently installed a new hu and haven't checked the AM on it yet. The only time I want to listen to AM is for ball games on ESPN Radio. FM signals are fine, better than my truck with a regular antenna suprisingly.

I also don't see how the tinting can interfere with the reception of the signal on the antenna since it is not between the antenna and the window.

Well, I checked this morning coming home from work and with the aftermarket hu I still can't pick up any AM stations. I'm sure that I don't have metallic tint.

c_hunter · 01-19-2004, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bankie
Yeah, and the tint goes on the inside of the window. I'd try to explain to the dealer that the tint IS NOT between the antenna and the glass. The tint will have no effect on radio reception.

Umm, what makes you think radio waves are only outside the car? If the tint is inside the window, then it's between the antenna and the inside of the car. If it's metallic tint, then it could potentially shield the antenna.

Craig

Bankie · 01-19-2004, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by c_hunter
Umm, what makes you think radio waves are only outside the car? If the tint is inside the window, then it's between the antenna and the inside of the car. If it's metallic tint, then it could potentially shield the antenna.

Craig

Still won't make enough of a difference to matter.

ImportVenom · 01-20-2004, 01:13 AM

Are you sure? An experienced tint shop told me not to go full metallic tint on the rear windshield because it can affect reception (AM especially). I'm pretty sure metallic tint does affect reception with the rear-glass antenna. An analogy would be putting metal objects near an antenna.

Bankie · 01-20-2004, 08:13 AM

No, I actually am just guessing.

So you might be right. What kinds of tint are full metallic? Just the reflective stuff? And by full metallic is that 0%, or 20%, etc.?

RoyBoy016 · 01-20-2004, 09:40 AM

Well this is just a thought, Dont tint the whole rear glass. Tint the defroster area and leave the strip at the top with out tinting for the antenna.

ImportVenom · 01-20-2004, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bankie
No, I actually am just guessing.

So you might be right. What kinds of tint are full metallic? Just the reflective stuff? And by full metallic is that 0%, or 20%, etc.?

Most manufacturers make a dye film, a semi-metallic, and a full-metallic film. The semi-metallic is a mix of dye and metal. The full-metallic is all metal-based film, and will never fade because it has no dye in it. It is also the most reflective of the three because of its metal content. A lot of luxury cars look nice with full-metallic tint. Note that this is different from mirror-tint. I would suggest using either semi-metallic or a dye based film on the back windshield (it will be slightly less reflective but not too noticeable). I have semi-metallic all around and have no probs at least with FM. I never listen to AM.

armand1 · 01-20-2004, 09:55 PM

Remember, too, that no AM reception but OK FM reception is a classic sign of the antenna being unplugged from the HU or otherwise not working properly. Since the '04 window antenna is amplified, make sure that the antenna lead is correctly plugged into the HU *AND* that the window antenna amplifier has not been disconnected from its power connection.

c_hunter · 01-21-2004, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bankie
Still won't make enough of a difference to matter.

Antennas work by being immersed in wave fields (the waves flow through and around the antenna). If you shield off one entire side of the antenna plane, you're pretty much blocking the antenna all together.

Craig

robmarch · 01-22-2004, 08:46 AM

the last two posts above are both correct. Since most people don't listen to much AM, many people who use metallic tint on their rear window may never know whether or not it affects their antenna's performance, since they'll still get FM reception.

You can search, because this topic has been discussed before. I believe AM performance was negatively affected by the metallic tint, which could mean that FM is also. Of course, you might get enough FM performance leaking to your receiver for it not to matter.

lupohki · 01-22-2004, 09:10 PM

I have like no AM on my STi as well. I'm also tinted, but there's a thread on imprezawrxsti.com where like everyone was complaining about bad reception so it's not the tint's fault.

c_hunter · 01-22-2004, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lupohki
I have like no AM on my STi as well. I'm also tinted, but there's a thread on imprezawrxsti.com where like everyone was complaining about bad reception so it's not the tint's fault.

Make sure you supplied power to the antenna. That's a common mistake. The in-glass antennas have an amplifier that requires switched power from the radio harness. Most people skip that connection, thinking it refers to the power up/down antenna. But in fact, the in-glass antenna does need to have that power lead connected. Otherwise, you get really crappy reception.

Craig

WRXRgr · 04-19-2004, 08:07 PM

I just got tinting on my 04 (antenna inside rear windshield), and as I drove out of the shop, my AM reception was zilch. I'm one of the old farts who likes (some) AM, so I can affirm that the tint really attenuated AM reception. I think FM was affected as well, but nowhere as badly.

I'm contemplating grabbing an Xacto knife and cutting the film on either side of the antenna grid and seeing if I can peel back a narrow strip of film, where it contacts the grid lines...it's not as big a job as it sounds, the antenna is only three or four lines deep, at the top of the window. This would probably look better than removing the top 4" of film, too. Not sure how tightly that film adheres to the grid...maybe this weekend I'll try it.

Steve

robmarch · 04-20-2004, 10:22 AM

you could also think about adding an external mast type antenna, like the 2002-2003 models have.

bhall · 04-20-2004, 12:15 PM

I have a 02 legacy (antenna in glass) with 5% Semi-metallic tint and all is good on both bands. I think it can effect it somewhat but with the antenna on the outside it is not that big of a deal. Now the alarm remote is a different story since it has to go through the tint to get to the brain. Maybe this is a WRX thing?

servingko · 04-20-2004, 05:39 PM

I have 20% full metal tint and have no reception problems. I may also have one of the few 2004's with a pillar mounted antennae as well as the rear glass antennae although I don't know for sure which one is actually connected to the radio. Anybody else out there with an 04 and the pillar mounted antennae?

KTM knobby · 04-21-2004, 03:28 AM

A metallic or semi metallic tint could easily be a big ground plane dramatically shielding your antenna. It doesn't matter that the film is behind the antenna, it still will dramatically alter (reduce) your antenna's reception.

I'm not an RF engineer (just an audio geek), but I am a Ham, and this one will really FUBAR your reception.

I haven't had my STi tinted yet, but I'm glad to hear this in time to ensure that I don't get metallic or semi metallic film on my back Window.

Actually, if I turned the back window into a ground plane it might help my 2m/70cm reception though.

01-19-2004, 03:25 PM	#1
IMPRZV1 Scooby Newbie Member#: 40306 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: PDX Vehicle: 2007 STi, finally! Suby # 4, UGM	04 WRX - Window tint affect reception? I have an 04 WRX and the dealer claims that my window tinting affected my radio reception. This was after I complained that it didn't work very well (AM almost nothing) and they replaced several parts ( including the stereo for the 3rd time). Anyone else have a problem with this or does my window tint suck? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

01-19-2004, 09:05 PM	#6
skyhawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 36255 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Meridian Mississippi Vehicle: 04 WRB WRX Drive 2 Work,Work 2 Drive	I have dealer installed tinting on my windows. With my stock hu I couldn't pick up any AM stations, none!! I have recently installed a new hu and haven't checked the AM on it yet. The only time I want to listen to AM is for ball games on ESPN Radio. FM signals are fine, better than my truck with a regular antenna suprisingly. I also don't see how the tinting can interfere with the reception of the signal on the antenna since it is not between the antenna and the window. Well, I checked this morning coming home from work and with the aftermarket hu I still can't pick up any AM stations. I'm sure that I don't have metallic tint. Last edited by skyhawk; 01-20-2004 at 09:48 AM.

04-21-2004, 03:28 AM	#22
KTM knobby Scooby Newbie Member#: 60071 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: SoCal Vehicle: 2004 STi Java Black Pearl	Ground Plane A metallic or semi metallic tint could easily be a big ground plane dramatically shielding your antenna. It doesn't matter that the film is behind the antenna, it still will dramatically alter (reduce) your antenna's reception. I'm not an RF engineer (just an audio geek), but I am a Ham, and this one will really FUBAR your reception. I haven't had my STi tinted yet, but I'm glad to hear this in time to ensure that I don't get metallic or semi metallic film on my back Window. Actually, if I turned the back window into a ground plane it might help my 2m/70cm reception though.

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01-19-2004, 03:46 PM	#2
kenchan Scooby Guru Member#: 15106 Join Date: Feb 2002	?! not sure if radio waves have anything to do with light wave lengths. aren't you using the antenna on the a-pillar?

01-19-2004, 06:32 PM	#4
IMPRZV1 Scooby Newbie Member#: 40306 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: PDX Vehicle: 2007 STi, finally! Suby # 4, UGM	The 04 WRX has the antenna built into the rear window with the defroster.

01-20-2004, 01:13 AM	#9
ImportVenom Scooby Specialist Member#: 34204 Join Date: Mar 2003 Vehicle: 2004 WRX WR Blue	Are you sure? An experienced tint shop told me not to go full metallic tint on the rear windshield because it can affect reception (AM especially). I'm pretty sure metallic tint does affect reception with the rear-glass antenna. An analogy would be putting metal objects near an antenna.

01-20-2004, 08:13 AM	#10
Bankie Scooby Specialist Member#: 37785 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Ohio Vehicle: 2016 Mazda 3 White	No, I actually am just guessing. So you might be right. What kinds of tint are full metallic? Just the reflective stuff? And by full metallic is that 0%, or 20%, etc.?

01-20-2004, 09:40 AM	#11
RoyBoy016 Scooby Newbie Member#: 44621 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Miami, Fl Vehicle: 2002 RSX Type-S White	Well this is just a thought, Dont tint the whole rear glass. Tint the defroster area and leave the strip at the top with out tinting for the antenna.

01-20-2004, 09:55 PM	#13
armand1 Scooby Guru Member#: 10309 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: '02 OBS 2-tone! White	Remember, too, that no AM reception but OK FM reception is a classic sign of the antenna being unplugged from the HU or otherwise not working properly. Since the '04 window antenna is amplified, make sure that the antenna lead is correctly plugged into the HU AND that the window antenna amplifier has not been disconnected from its power connection.

01-22-2004, 08:46 AM	#15
robmarch Scooby Specialist Member#: 18713 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Time is the Enemy Vehicle: 06 CRV 04 STi	the last two posts above are both correct. Since most people don't listen to much AM, many people who use metallic tint on their rear window may never know whether or not it affects their antenna's performance, since they'll still get FM reception. You can search, because this topic has been discussed before. I believe AM performance was negatively affected by the metallic tint, which could mean that FM is also. Of course, you might get enough FM performance leaking to your receiver for it not to matter.

01-22-2004, 09:10 PM	#16
lupohki Scooby Specialist Member#: 3457 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: International Location: Kyotango, Japan Vehicle: 2008 STi DGM	I have like no AM on my STi as well. I'm also tinted, but there's a thread on imprezawrxsti.com where like everyone was complaining about bad reception so it's not the tint's fault.

04-19-2004, 08:07 PM	#18
WRXRgr Scooby Specialist Member#: 54942 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Vehicle: 2004 WRX	I just got tinting on my 04 (antenna inside rear windshield), and as I drove out of the shop, my AM reception was zilch. I'm one of the old farts who likes (some) AM, so I can affirm that the tint really attenuated AM reception. I think FM was affected as well, but nowhere as badly. I'm contemplating grabbing an Xacto knife and cutting the film on either side of the antenna grid and seeing if I can peel back a narrow strip of film, where it contacts the grid lines...it's not as big a job as it sounds, the antenna is only three or four lines deep, at the top of the window. This would probably look better than removing the top 4" of film, too. Not sure how tightly that film adheres to the grid...maybe this weekend I'll try it. Steve

04-20-2004, 10:22 AM	#19
robmarch Scooby Specialist Member#: 18713 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Time is the Enemy Vehicle: 06 CRV 04 STi	you could also think about adding an external mast type antenna, like the 2002-2003 models have.

04-20-2004, 12:15 PM	#20
bhall Scooby Newbie Member#: 56015 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Denver, CO Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagon 05 XT Forester	I have a 02 legacy (antenna in glass) with 5% Semi-metallic tint and all is good on both bands. I think it can effect it somewhat but with the antenna on the outside it is not that big of a deal. Now the alarm remote is a different story since it has to go through the tint to get to the brain. Maybe this is a WRX thing?

04-20-2004, 05:39 PM	#21
servingko Scooby Newbie Member#: 58105 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Salt Lake City Vehicle: 2004 WRX WRB	I have 20% full metal tint and have no reception problems. I may also have one of the few 2004's with a pillar mounted antennae as well as the rear glass antennae although I don't know for sure which one is actually connected to the radio. Anybody else out there with an 04 and the pillar mounted antennae?