Hirschmann antenna with capacitive ground?

[darek_u]

I have been chasing the poor FM reception since day 1. So far I rebuild antenna, replaced the antenna cable with new one, checked and confirmed that the antenna ground is solid, checked radio and tuner harness for good contacts. Basically all that can be done without serious repairs to the radio and tuner itself. I'm trying to rule out the antenna problem, which seems to be the most obvious case, before I decide to send both units for reconditioning and/or repairs as this route is expen$$$ive...
Recently I came across the info that from '92 model year the antenna should have improved "capacitive" ground installed - kinda small metal fins attached to the upper tube and metal foil glued to the fender. Mine doesn't have the fins on antenna but I have the foil in place. WIS says that this should be used when interference exists in VHF range - this is my case. What is your experience with this improved type of grounding? Does it work at all? Is it worth of spending extra $$$? New part is NLA as far as I know but I may be able to source the parts antenna and recycle this fancy tube if needs be. Just checking before I start throwing any serious money into it.

Here is the WIS page I'm referring to:

View attachment 82-8105.pdf

And here is the picture:

 

[samiam44]

I think you should put a new hirshman aftermarket antenna in the car and be done with it. Make sure you are properly grounded per the installation instructions.

M

 

[darek_u]

I want to stay stock as far as possible. On a side note - new Hirschmann antennas are basically just the same as old AUTA models just with newest retracting system but still old fashion passive AM/FM antenna. I could be wrong here but even if I go to new replacement, have new antenna cable and proper grounding I may end up in the same situation - poor reception and noise. I'm trying to get as much as I can from what I have, that's why I'm asking for any experience with capacitive ground that Mercedes offered.
Anyway, I have a feeling that it is a radio itself that needs refurbishing.

 

[darek_u]

It turned out that my radio was bad - both FM tuner modules needed professional rebuild. Anyway, I also purchased the antenna tube with capacitive ground, I'll install it when time permits and report back improvements, if any...

 

[darek_u]

Just to wrap up my thread - I managed to install the antenna tube with capacitive ground as a part of my trunk repair/refurbishment project. Well, no night and day difference... Maybe 10% better reception, maybe it's just me trying to justify replacing this part. It probably improves the reception in some areas with specific interference but if you expect a huge difference - don't go that route, it's waste of time.

 

[LWB250]

If your radio is a Becker, FM sensitivity is not one of their better qualities.

Dan

 

[darek_u]

If your radio is a Becker, FM sensitivity is not one of their better qualities.

It's not too bad in the area where I live, we have strong signal from many stations, it's just annoying how it handles the weak signals... It's Mexico 2000 or BE1460, Euro version with RDS.