I notice that when there is a load on the alternator (windows going up/down or HIDs turned on, or charger plugged into the lighter) the radio reception drops.

How many others have the problem?

This will help troubleshoot.
Is it a defective system design (bad grounding, or... )

-or-

Is it isolated to a few vehicles (manufacturer didn't properly connect the...)

I have the stock single CD player/stock antennae

 

so.... i am the only one?

I need to look for a bad ground or grounding antenna cable then...

 

Check all your fuses one by one. Its a small chance but a failure of one system can possibly affect another one on the same grid.

Grounding is possible but unlikely. You can invest paying an electrical guy who does car audio to track it down for you. But dont let them pedal you into a new audio system. Pay them for a 1 hour tear down and see what they come up with.

I dont have any issues with my stereo. But I am installing a grounding kit in my Lancer since it is aging. Grounds dont look so good.

 

Nope. I found the solution!

A google search finds that many owners of HID added to cars using beach-azz cheap analog ballasts need an RF/EMI clamped to the ballast-to-headlight wire....

Good digital slim ballasts don't seem to have this problem. So factor in another $15/shipped to fix the el cheapo ballast and the good/digital ballasts look better and better...

meh. Maybe somebody can learn from my mistake - that is what the forum is for, eh?

 

glad you found the cause. I don't get decreased radio reception, but I do get interference on the phone using the bluetooth feature in the car.

 

Fail.

i installed the magnets as directed - made no discernable difference.

[insert Krusty The Clown 'aw crap' sound file here]

 

Proper grounding of the ballasts is essential.