The power antenna in my W123 doesn't work, and has never worked in the 8 months that I've had it, and for an unspecified amount of time with the previous owner(s). I pull the mast up and down manually, and I think that's what has bent the mast. Reception is fine and all, but the bent mast just doesn't look right, so that's why I am considering a Hirschmann manual antenna. They're not prone to the problems of ceasing to function like the power ones do, or to keep on running and drain the battery down as one did on the 300SD once, and in the event of having to replace it, they're quite cheaper then their power counterparts. Do the manual antennas receive the same reception that the power ones do? I've heard that the manual ones have diminished AM band receiving capabilities. Is there a Hirschmann W126 manual antenna alternative as well? The W126's antenna has ceased to function as well.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

about a hirschmann, but i use a rubber ducky on one of my cars. that is a fixed black rubbery looking thing about 16" tall. seems to work fine. simple ,cheap, lightweight.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

So that's what those types of antennas are called! I've always seen them, but didn't know they were called "rubber ducky" antennas. I'm really trying to keep the look of the antenna OEM. I know that Hirschmann manufactures them, I just haven't heard of any experience with them.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

The old Hirschmann antennas are pretty robust and can be easily rebuilt with a new belt, gearing, motor and mast. If you want to go the cheap route, check junkyards and take apart some antennas there. Many older BMW's use the same antenna (it's identical mechanically) but they have a different wiring plug.

should be the same if the length is the same.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

shlomo has a manual antenna. ive never had problems with reception.

i use the ipod and fm tuner every day. the only drawbacks to that are that everyone has the same 4 channel tuner and sometimes the reception is too good and youll get a short burst of bubblegum pop when that pink toyota echo passes you...

myself, i prefer some nice angry tori, an angry redhead with a piano.

mmmmm

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http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...Untitled-1.jpg

I avoid the local radio waves altogether I use satellite from Sirius, my "antenna" is a small flat black square magnetically attached right above my rear window, its about 1.5"x1.5" and less than 1/2" thick.... I pressed "off" on my dash antenna switch in March and waved to it as it retracted into its home.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Unless you have strong waves in your area, the rubber duckies can be a problem.

Anyone in the ham radio hobby knows these antennas are usually a compromise as far as effective recieving area...

I would look into rebuilding the power antennas...they are not poorly built so repairs are not always another time to shell out the cash for a new one...

with brandon about the quality of these units. i suspect that there are a lot of them laying around with minor problems having been removed on an assumption that there was a major problem when there was not.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I have a manual antenna, got it from Performance Parts a few months ago. It works great, even though the antenna cable was pretty badly hacked up thanks to a previous owner. One thing I've noticed is that water tends to get trapped in it if I leave it up when it rains... the water comes shooting out after I push the antenna back down. Every time I fuel up, I take some paper towels, get a few drops of diesel on them, and use that to clean and lube the antenna. That's a good idea I got on this forum a while back... it keeps the antenna shiny, and the fuel off my rear quarter panel.

Nate

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1985 300DT, Classic White, California, 159K
1982 240D, Metallic Silver-Blue, Manual Everything, 376K
1981 240D, Orient Red, Parts Car/Engine Donor, 145K

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" - Yoda

I installed a manual antenna on my 123, I'm pretty sure it's a hirschmann (how on earth is that spelled?)

it works fine, looks good too. The whole job of tearing out the old busted joint and putting in the new one was rather simple, as well....after all, I managed to do it.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

llooks about rightt too mei.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Next on the list is the antenna on my 240D, it went up once but never game back down (no motor noise)
I am suspecting a dirty contact