I have just installed a Kenwood Double Din H/U into my WRX 5 Door 2002MY , Everything works great but the radio reception is very poor.
I think the problem is the film aerial fixed to the rear quarter lights. I have tried a coat hanger into the back of the unit and that works much better!
I have noticed in the Kenwood wiring instructions there is a output to power a film aerial booster, anyone know where you are supposed to connect this????

 

Yes, it connects into the iso adaptor in the standard position for remote turn-on leads...

 

Pin 14 from the original kenwood head unit is used to power the aerial amp in the 5 door WRX.

Many thanks to Brian at Ravensblade-Impreza for his help.

I have now saved a packet importing a totally cool Double Din Kenwood head unit from the US and working out how to get the whole thing working with total UK compatabilty.
Anyone interested in changing their stereo check out the DPX-MP4030 on the www.kenwoodusa.com web site. The unit fits the MY2001 scooby perfectly and even matches the silver surround of the dash.

I can assist with getting it working if required.

 

Does the tuner work with RDS and all stations? If so, cool

 

The Tuner has AM (Equivalent to MW) and FM wavebands and the channel space is adjustable for UK/US settings. No RDS, but I have found the reception quality to be excellent and you can apply text names to the AM and FM stations.
MP3 on the CD unit is standard and the front display lights up like a christmas tree. Apart from the Pioneer 6600 I have yet to see a better D/Din unit.

This unit is not available in Europe but if you are happy to risk importing and paying a bit of duty you will save a £££'s on equivalent spec D/Din UK units.

 

Adjustable spacing - excellent!!!!!!!! Sorry to keep harping on about one thing, but is it just a menu option?

 

It's not standard in the Menu's, but if you hold down 1 and 5 when you switch the unit on the channel space changes like magic!!!!!!!
This is quite a common feature for better spec Kenwood head units but they don't document it in their US/UK manuals (I guess this info could cost them a few quid in lost UK sales!)

I would like to point out to anyone who is considering buying any US spec stereo they do so entirley at their own risk. While CD and cassete units have world wide standards the tuner specs do vary from country to country and manufacturers can disable features like channel space select without notice.

 

How on earth did u find that one out? Any other gems????

Fantastic mate!