I had a Startac hands free installed in a 99.5 1.8TQMS with Bose. I noted an immediate and significant degradation in reception quality on AM (no FM impact). Installer claims no possible correlation. Anyone else experience this?

There is no way this would be correlated and I think your mechanic/installer is right. The only way this would be of issue is if he wrapped in anyway the cable leading to the antenna with a wire relating to the hands free kit. Your startac is operating at 850MHz or 1900MHz which is way out of range for AM! I would check if they messed with the Antenna... Other than that I don't see it being possible....

Dimitri

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99.5 1.8TQMS /Apr

I bought a glass-mount antenna from Antenna Specialists. The bottom portion of the mounting bracket just covers the top wire in the rear window. When this started, I assumed that must be the AM antenna. AM reception returns to normal immediately if I remove my phone from the cradle.

Paul Clowser
98.5 1.8tqms