Tinted Windows=Poor Radio Reception?
02-26-12, 06:15 AM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Tinted Windows=Poor Radio Reception?
Ok, quick question for everyone. Since I picked up my new car about four weeks ago, I noticed that the AM radio stations all had varying amounts of static to them. In addition, when I started listening to the XM radio, there was a lot of what I call "tininess" to the sound, almost like a really low bit rate MP3 would be. So I drop the car off last weekend to take a look, and the answer I got was that the tint on my windows was causing interference with the radio signals. Now the car came tinted from the dealer, I had no doing in that. I just find it hard to believe that because my rear window has a thin layer of tint, that I can not listen to AM radio or XM with any type of quality.
Anyone else have any similar problems with radio reception and tinted windows?
Thanks,
Kevin
Anyone else have any similar problems with radio reception and tinted windows?
Thanks,
Kevin
02-26-12, 01:24 PM
#7
Ok, quick question for everyone. Since I picked up my new car about four weeks ago, I noticed that the AM radio stations all had varying amounts of static to them. In addition, when I started listening to the XM radio, there was a lot of what I call "tininess" to the sound, almost like a really low bit rate MP3 would be. So I drop the car off last weekend to take a look, and the answer I got was that the tint on my windows was causing interference with the radio signals. Now the car came tinted from the dealer, I had no doing in that. I just find it hard to believe that because my rear window has a thin layer of tint, that I can not listen to AM radio or XM with any type of quality.
Anyone else have any similar problems with radio reception and tinted windows?
Thanks,
Kevin
Anyone else have any similar problems with radio reception and tinted windows?
Thanks,
Kevin
The the Sat radio sound you hear is normal (bad). Sat radio uses really low bit rates so your perception "almost like a really low bit rate MP3" is exactly correct - it's a really low bit rate. Since Sat is a digital modulation, you either receive it or you don't - no in between. Also, I don't think the Sat antenna is built into the windows. So I don't think what you hear with the Sat has anything to do with radio reception or antennas / tinting.
Your AM performance may be normal too. AM is normally subject to noise and static except for really strong stations. OTOH, I think the AM antenna is built into the window, so a metallic tint may cause problems and might also affect your FM reception.
If you're having static with strong, local stations then something may be wrong. If you can somehow park your car next to an identical car (less tinting) and tune to the same AM station(s) and compare, you could determine if you really have a problem. Another, test: if you can receive distant AM stations at night ((even if they're noisy and fad in and out) your reception is probably just fine.
Anyway, neither Sat radio nor AM are really high quality sources no matter where you listen - car, home, etc.
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02-26-12, 06:14 PM
#8
Intermediate
Thread Starter
This may all be normal as both AM and Sat are low-quality sound sources.
The the Sat radio sound you hear is normal (bad). Sat radio uses really low bit rates so your perception "almost like a really low bit rate MP3" is exactly correct - it's a really low bit rate. Since Sat is a digital modulation, you either receive it or you don't - no in between. Also, I don't think the Sat antenna is built into the windows. So I don't think what you hear with the Sat has anything to do with radio reception or antennas / tinting.
Your AM performance may be normal too. AM is normally subject to noise and static except for really strong stations. OTOH, I think the AM antenna is built into the window, so a metallic tint may cause problems and might also affect your FM reception.
If you're having static with strong, local stations then something may be wrong. If you can somehow park your car next to an identical car (less tinting) and tune to the same AM station(s) and compare, you could determine if you really have a problem. Another, test: if you can receive distant AM stations at night ((even if they're noisy and fad in and out) your reception is probably just fine.
Anyway, neither Sat radio nor AM are really high quality sources no matter where you listen - car, home, etc.
The the Sat radio sound you hear is normal (bad). Sat radio uses really low bit rates so your perception "almost like a really low bit rate MP3" is exactly correct - it's a really low bit rate. Since Sat is a digital modulation, you either receive it or you don't - no in between. Also, I don't think the Sat antenna is built into the windows. So I don't think what you hear with the Sat has anything to do with radio reception or antennas / tinting.
Your AM performance may be normal too. AM is normally subject to noise and static except for really strong stations. OTOH, I think the AM antenna is built into the window, so a metallic tint may cause problems and might also affect your FM reception.
If you're having static with strong, local stations then something may be wrong. If you can somehow park your car next to an identical car (less tinting) and tune to the same AM station(s) and compare, you could determine if you really have a problem. Another, test: if you can receive distant AM stations at night ((even if they're noisy and fad in and out) your reception is probably just fine.
Anyway, neither Sat radio nor AM are really high quality sources no matter where you listen - car, home, etc.
Kevin
02-26-12, 08:01 PM
#10
02-27-12, 10:42 AM
#11
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks. In doing more research it looks like the general consensus is that XM is just plain bad quality for the most part, and people put up with it do to the variety. If I can still get Brewer and Marquette coverage through XM, then I would be set, as that is my main reason for needing AM in the first place.
02-27-12, 12:06 PM
#12
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If your tint is metallic it will cause interference issues. Does your tint have that silver hue? If so, get it replaced with carbon-based tint. I have tint and AM/XM reception is fine.
03-05-12, 07:01 AM
#15
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Well this last week I had the tint on the rear window removed and replaced, and I now have crystal clear (ha) AM reception. Thanks for everyone's advice.
Kevin
Kevin