Metalized Window Tint /poor radio reception....FIX ??
I have had a 1999 E300D for about a year now that was bought in Texas and has window tint all around... and really poor radio reception on AM and not very good on FM.
My local radio shop says it's caused by the window tint which they think (??) is metalized. I like to listen to local sports-talk radio on AM so this is annoying. Rolling all the windows down doesn't improve anything and I've read that it's the tint on the back window that's the main cause.
Has anyone "dealt" with this problem ......??? i.e. removed the tinting and gotten their reception back..
Other solutions?
How about a good antenna direct installed outside the car and bypassing the rear window antenna. My radio has some kind of after-market antennae on the roof now but it apparently doesn't work or isn't wired-in correctly.
The local radio shop is correct. I don't know of an external antenna that will work (there may be some, I just don't know of them).
My 2000 and 2005 S500s have antenna amplifiers in the headliner just ahead of the rear window. I don't know if your car does, but if the external antenna has bypassed those (one for AM, one for FM), it may not be too successful. It would depend on many variables (the first being the gain provided by the external antenna; most externals will provide more gain than those buried in glass, so the amplifiers may not be necessary).
Have never removed tint, but you would want to so so to avoid damage to any exposed wires on the rear window.
Sorry I couldn't suggest a more complete solution.
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2005 S500 4-Matic
with Gateway 500 iPod integration
Formerly: 2000 S500
with Ice>Link iPod integration
Moto V710 phone with MikBox
Upgraded Voice Control
it could be a number of reasons but yes most likely its the metal in the tint (if in fact its metal tint. Unfortunately the only way to find out is to start by pulling the back window tint and seeing if the reception improves. The second option would be to switch to an external antenna: Im guessing that the external antenna you are talking about is the one on the roof: thats the phone/gps antenna, not the AM/FM antennas. You can get external patch type antennas that can be mounted in the vehicle bumper area; if you want to go that route it will certainly be an improvement in overall reception while you get to keep the existing tint.
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E300 Turbo Diesel; Level 2 Chip, AFE Air Filter, Multi-function Steering Wheel, Multifunction Display, Euro Comand 2.0, DVD in Motion, Argos Bluetooth, Comand Controllable DVD/MP3, Ashtray delete, XM Radio, Active Ventilated Front Seats, Parktronic, AutoMeter A pillar Boost Meter, H&R Springs, AMG Multi Spoke Wheels, LED Tail lights, Power Folding Blinking Mirrors, AMG Front Bumper, AMG Rear Bumper, Carlsson Side Skirts, Eisenmann Race Exhaust.
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