biturbowagon Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 When I bought my LGT, I knew that I was taking a step downward in stereo quality. I decided to bite the bullet and tolerate it for now, with the possibility of pursuing aftermarket options in the future. But I am quite disappointed with the FM reception. For example, my favorite classical station, whose transmitter is located only a few miles away and is quite powerful, is regularly staticky. It's a problem with other stations as well. This is not at all a problem with my Audi (with the Bose system), nor with other cars in which I have driven. Anyone else have similar problems? I STFA, but didn't come up with a thread on point. TIA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallispec Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 it's the antenna built into the rear window - it sucks. Does it get worse when you turn on your rear defrost? Some people have gotten the rear windows replaced under warranty for this reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dotanukie Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Yep, I think the FM reception sucks in this car. I lose reception in areas that came in nice and strong in my old Volvo or either of my Jeeps. Even the freakin 32 year old Philco factory AM/FM radio in my 1973 Triumph gets better reception. I had a 74 Chevy once that had the antenna in the glass (windshield), it was a bad idea then and it's still a bad idea now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-lo Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I"ve had no issues, but is there anyway to install an antenna on the roof? 258k miles - Stock engine/minor suspension upgrades/original shocks/rear struts replaced at 222k/4 passenger side wheel bearings/3 clutches/1 radiator/3 turbos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firedawgs Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I have the same problem. I wives truck will pick up way more than my car. Maybe thats another reason I went to XM radio. Updated my vBGarage: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wukindada Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Built in antenna sucks in any vehicle! Have yet to be in a car that has one that's worth a damn Subaru BMW Audi Mercedes Ford....Face it they ALL Suck! Toyota 6EATS .........SUCK!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoman Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 The reception of the in-glass antenna in my Legacy is far better than any other vehicle I've driven. I think it works exceptionally well, especially considering the mountainous terrain in my area. I was even able to pull in Pittsburgh radio stations very clearly and in stereo over 90 miles away from the transmitters when I drove to Somerset last week. My Chevy Trailblazer with an external antenna receives pure static in the same area. Do you guys have tinted windows or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJMC Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Built in antenna sucks in any vehicle! Have yet to be in a car that has one that's worth a damn Subaru BMW Audi Mercedes Ford....Face it they ALL Suck! My ex-GFs '96 Accord had a nice one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICE-SS Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Do you guys have tinted windows or something? This would apply to anyone who had their car tinted with metallic film only. Also, some of you folks should check to make sure that the antenna traces aren't cut or scratched in any way. This obviously would affect reception in a big way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest *Jedimaster* Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Mine works fine- I like not having an antenna screwing up the lines of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynekranzler Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 I have non- metallic tint on the rear window and the radio reception is fine. I can pick up a clear FM signal 100 miles away from the transmitter towers out here in the wide open spaces. During trips to Chicago and Mpls last summer I never had any fuzzy reception difficulties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgt Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 My reception has always been crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biturbowagon Posted December 21, 2005 Author Share Posted December 21, 2005 I haven't noticed. I'll try turning on both the radio and the rear defroster and listen to what happens. it's the antenna built into the rear window - it sucks. Does it get worse when you turn on your rear defrost? Some people have gotten the rear windows replaced under warranty for this reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biturbowagon Posted December 21, 2005 Author Share Posted December 21, 2005 No tinted windows. My car is completely stock. I got plenty of bursts of static while driving today. In comparison, my Audi picks up this station better when 60 miles away than the Subaru does here in town. The reception of the in-glass antenna in my Legacy is far better than any other vehicle I've driven. I think it works exceptionally well, especially considering the mountainous terrain in my area. I was even able to pull in Pittsburgh radio stations very clearly and in stereo over 90 miles away from the transmitters when I drove to Somerset last week. My Chevy Trailblazer with an external antenna receives pure static in the same area. Do you guys have tinted windows or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatesGr8 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 my old honda had a good one in it as well. this subaru in glass antenna blows, i went to satellite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forestir Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 No tinted windows. My car is completely stock. I got plenty of bursts of static while driving today. In comparison, my Audi picks up this station better when 60 miles away than the Subaru does here in town. Maybe your antenna is disconnected from the radio. It might not be the best, but it's not that bad. Have the dealer take a peek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCDetails Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 My Acura got better reception and it didn't have an external antenna. My Accord is the same way. The LGT hasn't been a supreme disappointment, but it is true that my favorite radio station doesn't come in very well on the way to work like it did in my last car. I also blame the radio station's weak signal. It wasn't super clear on the Acura or the Accord either, but it came in better than the Legacy. Any way to boost the signal? _________________________________________ “Cleanliness becomes more important as godliness becomes more unlikely.” O C D E T A I L S . C O M OCDETAILS BLOG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forestir Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Since you can't replace the receiver for one with better sensitivity and selectivity, you'll have to work with trying to optimize the antenna signal. Unfortunately, I think the Legacy already uses a pre-amp on the antenna to boost its signal, so there's really not much left that can be done without going to satellite or some form of external antenna (and the wiring mess that would probably need). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biturbowagon Posted December 21, 2005 Author Share Posted December 21, 2005 I'll do that at the next service. Thanks. Maybe your antenna is disconnected from the radio. It might not be the best, but it's not that bad. Have the dealer take a peek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feardaram Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 listen to cds? radio is crappy quality, has commercials, and you cant choose what it plays...... i cant believe anyone still listens to it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forestir Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 listen to cds? radio is crappy quality, has commercials, and you cant choose what it plays...... i cant believe anyone still listens to it... NPR. Gotta listen to Car Talk. BTW, they're Subaru fans. 4 Foresters > Audi A8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoman Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 NPR. Gotta listen to Car Talk. BTW, they're Subaru fans. 4 Foresters > Audi A8. Hijack: They're far from Subaru fans. Remember when they lashed out at Subaru for introducing the WRX? They thought 227 HP was absolutely unnecessary and Subaru should have been ashamed of themselves for putting out such a high horsepower car in 2002. 4 years later, thanks to Subaru, high-horsepower cars are very common and sought after (SRT-4, Cobalt SS, RSX-S, and so on). On-Topic: You guys with reception problems might want to double check your antenna connections. Those who experience static while the rear defroster is turned on probably have a grounding issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opie Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 On-Topic: You guys with reception problems might want to double check your antenna connections. Those who experience static while the rear defroster is turned on probably have a grounding issue. Ding! 2005 Legacy/Outback wagons with VIN's PRIOR to 5*373702 have a revised antenna ground wire TSB. Cars built after this VIN # already have this updated part. P/N: 81831AG100 TSB # 15-115-05 Also, all Legacy/Outback models (Sedan or Wagon) have Antenna Amplifiers. If they are not connected and/or grounded securly, your reception will suffer. Sedan's are mounted above the left rear quarter glass, behind the trim panel and behind the curtain air bag...I wouldn't recomend trying to access it... Wagon's are mounted behind the rear hatch trim. Antenna Booster Page and last but not least...any type of metallic window tint will severly effect the in-glass antenna's ability to get a good signal. If you get you windows tinted, be sure to have them use a non-metallic tint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfxdave99 Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 I had in window antennas on my last few cars and i have to say they all sucked ass. I think my legacy needs a nice 10ft whip on the back If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biturbowagon Posted December 24, 2005 Author Share Posted December 24, 2005 I'll check on that. Thanks! It sure would be nice if the problem were that easy to solve. I experimented with using the rear defroster, but noticed no difference. I tried other stations, including the local rock station that I can receive fairly clearly 100 miles away in my Audi, and it was staticky just fifteen miles away from the transmitting tower. Ding! 2005 Legacy/Outback wagons with VIN's PRIOR to 5*373702 have a revised antenna ground wire TSB. Cars built after this VIN # already have this updated part. P/N: 81831AG100 TSB # 15-115-05 Also, all Legacy/Outback models (Sedan or Wagon) have Antenna Amplifiers. If they are not connected and/or grounded securly, your reception will suffer. Sedan's are mounted above the left rear quarter glass, behind the trim panel and behind the curtain air bag...I wouldn't recomend trying to access it... Wagon's are mounted behind the rear hatch trim. Antenna Booster Page and last but not least...any type of metallic window tint will severly effect the in-glass antenna's ability to get a good signal. If you get you windows tinted, be sure to have them use a non-metallic tint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.