| SeanLee | 01-25-2005 02:45 PM |
Tinted windows - no AM signal now.
�
�
I just tinted my black '05 STi and it looks frikin' schweet. The problem is, now I can't receive any AM stations. Now before you say "who listens to AM anyways" well, I do. I listen to talk radio a lot, so simply ignoring this problem won't make me happy. I also don't want to remove the tint. I'm assuming there's some type of metal in the tint that is creating this interference. Are there any ways to move the antenna or increase the signal strength so that I can have my tint AND my AM radio stations too?
-SeanLee
-SeanLee
| suby4ub | 01-25-2005 02:48 PM |
try an antenna booster look on crutchfield for them i think thats what you may be looking for
| powerslide23 | 01-25-2005 03:26 PM |
You cannot use a metallic tint on glass with the antenna. You're tint shop should have known that. Remove the back window tint and replace with a non-metalic tint.
| quadturbowrxgtr-s | 01-25-2005 05:34 PM |
goodbye Neil Bortz. damn metal tint.:furious:
| SDscooby | 01-25-2005 05:47 PM |
Hmm, I bet thats why I don't get AM anymore. It doesn't bother me though, I never listen to it unless I'm trying to find a baseball game.
I've always heard non-metalic tint sucks because it uses dyes that will fade over time and you'll end up with that purple looking tint you see on ghetto cars.
I've always heard non-metalic tint sucks because it uses dyes that will fade over time and you'll end up with that purple looking tint you see on ghetto cars.
| boundy3 | 01-25-2005 05:50 PM |
Same thing happened to me when I got my car tinted. It is most likely because they used a tint that contains titanium in it. Just go back and tell them your situation and they should redo the rear windshield with a nonmetalic tint. I did this with mine and the reception is a 100x better in AM and you can't really tell the difference in the tint.
Good luck :)
Good luck :)
| SeanLee | 01-25-2005 06:29 PM |
[QUOTE=powerslide23]You cannot use a metallic tint on glass with the antenna. You're tint shop should have known that. Remove the back window tint and replace with a non-metalic tint.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, non-metallic tint turns purple over time.
Unfortunately, non-metallic tint turns purple over time.
| SeanLee | 01-25-2005 06:30 PM |
[QUOTE=SDscooby]...I've always heard non-metalic tint sucks because it uses dyes that will fade over time and you'll end up with that purple looking tint you see on ghetto cars.[/QUOTE]
Yup that's correct.
Yup that's correct.
| SeanLee | 01-25-2005 06:31 PM |
[QUOTE=suby4ub]try an antenna booster look on crutchfield for them i think thats what you may be looking for[/QUOTE]
Has anyone properly installed an antenna booster? How? Where does it go? What kind to use?
Has anyone properly installed an antenna booster? How? Where does it go? What kind to use?
| fansipans | 01-25-2005 06:51 PM |
So is FM reception unaffected?
| Lachlan | 01-25-2005 06:55 PM |
Doesn't metallic tint also affect radar/laser detector abilities?
| imprezilization | 01-25-2005 06:56 PM |
[QUOTE=SeanLee]I just tinted my black '05 STi and it looks frikin' schweet. The problem is, now I can't receive any AM stations. Now before you say "who listens to AM anyways" well, I do. I listen to talk radio a lot, so simply ignoring this problem won't make me happy. I also don't want to remove the tint. I'm assuming there's some type of metal in the tint that is creating this interference. Are there any ways to move the antenna or increase the signal strength so that I can have my tint AND my AM radio stations too?
-SeanLee[/QUOTE]
roll the windows down? :D
-SeanLee[/QUOTE]
roll the windows down? :D
| armand1 | 01-25-2005 07:06 PM |
[QUOTE=SeanLee]Has anyone properly installed an antenna booster? How? Where does it go? What kind to use?[/QUOTE]
Your '05 already comes stock with an antenna booster (amplifier), because the in-glass antenna doesn't work as well as an external antenna.
If you're having trouble, your only choices are to stop blocking the signal to the in-glass antenna (remove the metallic tint) or add an external antenna to your car (I would check into companies like Terk).
Your '05 already comes stock with an antenna booster (amplifier), because the in-glass antenna doesn't work as well as an external antenna.
If you're having trouble, your only choices are to stop blocking the signal to the in-glass antenna (remove the metallic tint) or add an external antenna to your car (I would check into companies like Terk).
| SeanLee | 01-25-2005 08:38 PM |
[QUOTE=imprezilization]roll the windows down? :D[/QUOTE]
My rear window doesn't roll down.
:confused:
My rear window doesn't roll down.
:confused:
| SeanLee | 01-25-2005 08:39 PM |
[QUOTE=fansipans]So is FM reception unaffected?[/QUOTE]
Correct.
:mad:
Correct.
:mad:
| SeanLee | 01-25-2005 08:39 PM |
[QUOTE=armand1]Your '05 already comes stock with an antenna booster (amplifier), because the in-glass antenna doesn't work as well as an external antenna.
If you're having trouble, your only choices are to stop blocking the signal to the in-glass antenna (remove the metallic tint) or add an external antenna to your car (I would check into companies like Terk).[/QUOTE]
Thank you! I'll check them out.
If you're having trouble, your only choices are to stop blocking the signal to the in-glass antenna (remove the metallic tint) or add an external antenna to your car (I would check into companies like Terk).[/QUOTE]
Thank you! I'll check them out.
| Lachlan | 01-25-2005 09:14 PM |
Can you put the tint on the inside?
| wrx05 | 01-25-2005 10:11 PM |
I remember reading about a new ceramic tint that wont interfer with radio reception..
This is why I havent had my windows tinted yet. Gotta have the AM.
This is why I havent had my windows tinted yet. Gotta have the AM.
| TJRCS | 01-26-2005 12:30 AM |
[QUOTE=Lachlan]Can you put the tint on the inside?[/QUOTE]
all the tints are apllied INSIDE of windows.
all the tints are apllied INSIDE of windows.
| bemani | 01-26-2005 01:44 PM |
[QUOTE=wrx05]I remember reading about a new ceramic tint that wont interfer with radio reception..
This is why I havent had my windows tinted yet. Gotta have the AM.[/QUOTE]
Yep, you want ceramic tint.
This is why I havent had my windows tinted yet. Gotta have the AM.[/QUOTE]
Yep, you want ceramic tint.
| Cole | 01-26-2005 03:44 PM |
[QUOTE=SeanLee]Unfortunately, non-metallic tint turns purple over time.[/QUOTE]
Only the cheap stuff turns purple. The good stuff (can't remember the brand name) has a lifetime warranty.....you just can't use glass cleaner on it. Soap & water solution only.
Only the cheap stuff turns purple. The good stuff (can't remember the brand name) has a lifetime warranty.....you just can't use glass cleaner on it. Soap & water solution only.
| jsalicru | 01-26-2005 03:54 PM |
hahaha... Im having the same issue... my wife's gonna love it.. she hates it when I listen to AM
| wrx2k4blue | 02-26-2005 06:24 PM |
SeanLee, did you ever find a good external antenna?
| WRXRgr | 02-26-2005 07:57 PM |
There's an easy, somewhat uncomfortable, 15 minute fix...if you have reasonably steady hands.
Grab and Xacto knife, and get in the back seat. Look up at the grids on the back window and identify the antenna array---top three or four courses. The rest is defroster grid, leave that alone. Its much easier to do this with the vehicle outside, in daylight.
Look carefully at how the antenna gridlines are laid out. Take the Xacto and press with only enough pressure to slit the film, along the length of each gridline. Don't cut *across* any of the lines; do cut a slit along both sides of each line. Peel the strip of film off each of the gridlines, and enjoy the restoration of AM (and slight improvement of FM) reception.
You only need to trim enough to keep the tint film from touching the antenna grids; it's not very noticeable...tho whether the final appearance bothers you or not, is up to you.
Grab and Xacto knife, and get in the back seat. Look up at the grids on the back window and identify the antenna array---top three or four courses. The rest is defroster grid, leave that alone. Its much easier to do this with the vehicle outside, in daylight.
Look carefully at how the antenna gridlines are laid out. Take the Xacto and press with only enough pressure to slit the film, along the length of each gridline. Don't cut *across* any of the lines; do cut a slit along both sides of each line. Peel the strip of film off each of the gridlines, and enjoy the restoration of AM (and slight improvement of FM) reception.
You only need to trim enough to keep the tint film from touching the antenna grids; it's not very noticeable...tho whether the final appearance bothers you or not, is up to you.
| wrx2k4blue | 02-27-2005 10:47 AM |
Not sure if I'd like how that looks, plus after a while, I can imagine the remaining thin strips on the rear windshield will peel off since they have such little surface area to stick on.
| WRXRgr | 02-27-2005 01:14 PM |
[QUOTE=wrx2k4blue]Not sure if I'd like how that looks, plus after a while, I can imagine the remaining thin strips on the rear windshield will peel off since they have such little surface area to stick on.[/QUOTE]
Right...everyone has their preferences! ...sounds like you didn't get the concept, tho...nothing peels off except the tint film over the gridlines...all you remove is a strip of film maybe 2mm wide, from each grid line. The rest of your tint is intact, and isn't going anywhere, unless you had a poor installation in the first place.
Right...everyone has their preferences! ...sounds like you didn't get the concept, tho...nothing peels off except the tint film over the gridlines...all you remove is a strip of film maybe 2mm wide, from each grid line. The rest of your tint is intact, and isn't going anywhere, unless you had a poor installation in the first place.
| Byrner | 02-27-2005 01:33 PM |
use a ceramic tint and your problems will be gone. Llumar tint is 100% ceramic and it has inhibitors built in that make it not turn purple. I payed 230.00 to do my car's tint ceramic. Well worth the money cause I listen to AM all the time. Just ask your tint shop if they have it.
| wrx2k4blue | 02-27-2005 02:02 PM |
[QUOTE=WRXRgr]Right...everyone has their preferences! ...sounds like you didn't get the concept, tho...nothing peels off except the tint film over the gridlines...all you remove is a strip of film maybe 2mm wide, from each grid line. The rest of your tint is intact, and isn't going anywhere, unless you had a poor installation in the first place.[/QUOTE]
I'm pretty sure I understand the concept. I would be peeling off only the part of the tint covering the grid lines but that would leave thin strips of tint in between every grid line wouldn't it? It's that which worries me, those thin strips...
I'm pretty sure I understand the concept. I would be peeling off only the part of the tint covering the grid lines but that would leave thin strips of tint in between every grid line wouldn't it? It's that which worries me, those thin strips...
| WRXRgr | 02-27-2005 03:43 PM |
Nah, the grids aren't that close together...I did mine this way back in June, and nothing has peeled or drooped.
Edit: Just took a couple of pics, outside & from inside. PM if you want & I'll email.
Edit: Just took a couple of pics, outside & from inside. PM if you want & I'll email.
| GHST | 02-27-2005 04:00 PM |
Just leave the tint alone. I lost AM radio too but there's always 1 FM talk station I listen to (Tom Lycus.)
Also...
You can look into XM or Sirius radio services. They have plenty of talk stations, not to mention commercial free stations.
Also...
You can look into XM or Sirius radio services. They have plenty of talk stations, not to mention commercial free stations.
| locosti04 | 02-27-2005 10:58 PM |
^^^^^
I was about to suggest the same thing. there is also 1 other option... get a front glass mounted amplified antenna... they work reasonably well and the reception is good even on AM.
I was about to suggest the same thing. there is also 1 other option... get a front glass mounted amplified antenna... they work reasonably well and the reception is good even on AM.
| neorealist | 02-28-2005 01:56 AM |
I might be getting a black STi at some point and was thinking about tinting the windows. Can you post pics of your car? I would like to see how it looks.
| sparkycivic | 02-28-2005 02:02 AM |
Alpena(private-eyes), sold in Wal-mart didn't change color on me at all after 4 years in my civic.
| skyhawk | 02-28-2005 09:28 AM |
I never had AM reception to begin with. The dealer tinted the windows when he recieved the car, so it was already done when I bought it. Although the AM reception never bothered me, never listen to it. The only time I miss it is when I want to listen to a ball game on ESPN radio.
| strohausii | 03-01-2005 12:44 PM |
...keep in mind, this will affect your radar detectors in the same way too...
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét