I had a section of my antenna that would not extent so I wrote about it in the forum last week. I come to find out that all it needed was a clean & lube.While I was reading antenna threads I thought it would be a good idea to take the mast out clean and lube the motor on the 22 year old antenna.

Let me now say " NEVER FIX SOMETHING THAT IS NOT BROKEN !!"


Since I've put the mast back in (many times) after haveing the motor fully extend and have my wife turn it off while I feed the mast, it sticks out about six inches instead of going to the bottom. Thats not all, it does not go to half mast when radio is turned on but goes to full extention and keep grinding.

The past antenna threads are now not very useful since they start with a problem and I start with a working antenna and have made a problem. Anybody know if there are way to set travel limits on 1983 smooth antennas?

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In scuba diving and skydiving as in life, if it isn't fun, your doing it wrong.

Original owner & daily driver, 1983 300SD 298,000 miles.

the plastic feed rail on the antennae mast can be trimmed to length with a utility knife.perhaps its too long

Do NOT trim it! It worked before length wise. If you take the cover off the antenna unit, there it a large brass colored knob on the clutches and when turned will adjust the limits.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

I understand what you are saying and it may solve the problem of it not retracting the last six inches. As well, it may stop grinding at the top, if it ever reaches the top.

However, I was hoping to return it to its prior working order since I know the 22 year old parts are the original ones that worked until I helped. I was hoping someone knew how I can adjust some gear or get 6 more inches at the start of the rewind feed (we tried).

In the meanwhile, my wife of 34 years and radio on and off controller in this project is starting to see me as less than an Auto God.

__________________
_____________________________

In scuba diving and skydiving as in life, if it isn't fun, your doing it wrong.

Original owner & daily driver, 1983 300SD 298,000 miles.

Adam,

"If you take the cover off the antenna unit, there it a large brass colored knob on the clutches and when turned will adjust the limits."

When I take the cover off there is a large brass colored "disk or flywheel"
that has two pointer which hit the gears as they pass. I think this is the part you mean but it does not turn manually. Pointer do not move or adjust manully either. What do I need to know to adjust this that I do not understand.

I feel close to the answer now .

__________________
_____________________________

In scuba diving and skydiving as in life, if it isn't fun, your doing it wrong.

Original owner & daily driver, 1983 300SD 298,000 miles.

Can anyone help to add to this last part of the question?

__________________
_____________________________

In scuba diving and skydiving as in life, if it isn't fun, your doing it wrong.

Original owner & daily driver, 1983 300SD 298,000 miles.

It should be the knob at the very front of the unit. The little pointers will not move. Use a pair of plyers to turn the brassish (27mm looking nut) thing. It should move although it is somewhat tight. This fixed the same issue with my antenna.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Any updates?

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Adam,

Thanks for your help. As I was in it again I noted a small piece of black gear in the box I must of broke it while cleaning. So it seems I will have to find a plastic gear for a for a 1983 300SD. I called the dealer and he said they do not make them any more to replace the whole box.

Have I said yet today, "Do not fix anything that is not broken".

__________________
_____________________________

In scuba diving and skydiving as in life, if it isn't fun, your doing it wrong.

Original owner & daily driver, 1983 300SD 298,000 miles.

Check around at junkyards. Antenna units are very expensive new. Perhaps someone here on the forums has one they will give to you cheap.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section