Radio Reception 2002 Forester

[Ray]

When on the road the radio reception in my 2002 Forester S is
terrible. Once out of the local metro area I use the scan feature to
look for stations. Several weeks ago I was in Tacoma WA and could not
find one station of any strength. Any hints/ideas/fixes?

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 FS has an in-glass antenna which has a 12 volt booster amplifier.
Make sure it's getting the full 12 + volts. The in glass is IMHO not as good
at pulling in stations as a regular whip antenna, especially in hilly
surroundings. ed

 

[CompUser]

When on the road the radio reception in my 2002 Forester S is
terrible. Once out of the local metro area I use the scan feature to
look for stations. Several weeks ago I was in Tacoma WA and could not
find one station of any strength. Any hints/ideas/fixes?

Do you have a window-grid type antenna, and tint
film on it? Is the biggest problem with AM
stations?

 

[Craig]

Funny you mention tint film. I was considering getting the windows on my 04
Impreza tinted and one of my concerns was if the metalized tint films would
affect reception.

 

[CompUser]

news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, (e-mail address removed)
says...

Funny you mention tint film. I was considering getting the windows on my 04
Impreza tinted and one of my concerns was if the metalized tint films would
affect reception.

I mentioned it because I did, and it does! This
was "standard" charcoal-gray tint, not
"metallized" or metallic in appearance.

It degraded FM *slightly*...but it really killed
AM reception.

I got out one day with an Xacto knife and trimmed
it away, right along the antenna grid lines (the
top 3-4 lines on glass). Worked like a champ!

Steve

 

[Jon Macey]

Funny you mention tint film. I was considering getting the windows on my 04
Impreza tinted and one of my concerns was if the metalized tint films would
affect reception.

Did you put in an aftermarket head unit or is it the stock head unit?
Is the radio reception okay in the city limits?

 

[Karen Martin]

When on the road the radio reception in my 2002 Forester S is
terrible. Once out of the local metro area I use the scan feature to
look for stations. Several weeks ago I was in Tacoma WA and could not
find one station of any strength. Any hints/ideas/fixes?

Make sure the connectors in the back/side window at the antenna end are properly
plugged in. My '99 Forester's wiring came loose in shipping, and just needed to
be re-seated.

-KarenM-
http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2005outbackreviews.html

 

[Ray]

Yes, I do have to window-grid type antenna AND I have aftermarket
tinting. I will check the connections but am adverse to trimming the
tinting as our dog rides in the back.

The radio is a stock AM/FM/Cassette/6CD unit.

 

[Karen Martin]

You may only need to trim just a fraction of an inch aling the antenna wire
itself. That helped on my '99 Forester.

-KarenM-
http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2005outbackreviews.html

 

[Ray]

Karen, Thanks for the suggestion. Do you mean to trim it along the
entire length of the antenna wire?

 

[Karen Martin]

Yes, if you can, depending on the antenna you have. You might try just trimming
a little at a time to see if it helps.