On my previous MB sedans, there was a rocker switch to control the antenna, up/down, independant of the radio. I recently got a '99 500 SL with radio/CD changer and the antenna stays up even with a CD playing. Is there something I don't know or is the antenna not controlable? I typically listen to CDs and prefer the antenna stay down when doing so.
slaf

I too am a "control" oriented person. Unfortunately, the "newer" MBZ cars have lost the ability to manually controll the antenna. When the power is on the antenna is up to its highest point. I miss the ability to raise it half way, all the way up or not at all, as I had with my 1986 560 SEL with CD changer and cassette deck.

__________________
1994 E320 Cabriolet
1992 300CE (Sold)
1991 300SE (Sold)
1986 560SEL (Sold)

On my 1997 S320, I installed a switch on the line feeding power to the antennal. This switch allows me to control the height of the antenna.

Is this a factory Benz radio?

I have a 300TE with the rocker switch. I have replaced the original Becker with an Alpine h/u. When I pop in a CD, the antenna goes down automatically.

But even when it still had the the original Becker h/u, anytime I used the casette player the antenna would automatically go down.

I also owned a 1991 420SEL. It did not have the antenna rocker switch. In that car the antenna also went down automatically everytime I popped a casette in the unit.

so if you have an original Benz h/u. maybe there is something wrong with the circuit that controls the antenna.

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

while I was installing my satellite radio I opened the wire that has 12 volts out when the radio is on and makes the antenna rise.
When I opened that wire....(Becker schematic ...correct wire) the antenna goes down BUT the audio mutes....need to see what else comes off that antenna wire??? It ws NOT the main 12 volt wire. Will look into that when I sober up after the holidays.