I have a 1997 SL500.

The top section of the antenna (about 6 to 8 inches) has a black, plastic looking covering.

Is there any simple way of restricting the full deployment of the antenna so that only the top black section is visible?

Back in the mid 1980s I had a 300D and I seem to recall that the antenna could be partially or fully deployed.

Thanks in advance

Sorry you have not got an answer to this one earlier. The black portion of the antenna that you talk about was installed in case a telephone was a part of the package. As far as I know this question has been asked before, on another forum, and the answer was NO. With that being said I know what your talking about because both of my R107's had this feature but when I used it I lost a lot of reception.

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Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Lynn

2000 SL500 Silver
2000 SL500 SOLD
1989 560SL SOLD
1988 560SL SOLD

Hey Lynn.....twice in one day....we should stop meeting like this!!

I have done some reseasrch.....having been in electronics all my life.
There is one wire on the Becker radio connector that has 12 volts to the antenna ONLY when the radio is switched on. It would be simple to put a NO (normally open) sprng loaded switch in series with that 12 volt line and stop the antenna deployment. This assumes that the antenna stops when voltage is removed or if it retracts fully. I will check that now that I have the right tools to remove the radio. I think the old telescoping antenna spoils the car especially when its not needed. I listen 99% of the time to my Sirius satellite radio (channel 5 Sirius Gold - oldies) which I have installed in place of the ashtray. It dissapears behind the ashtray door.

We need your background and knowledge. Go for it and please document your end results after you have it installed. BTW, what really goes over big is a DIY write up in order to help the next guy.

FWIW, I have been very interested in installing a High Definition Radio add on to my current Bose system kinda like you did with the satellite package. Here in L.A. whe have a lot of Rock stations that have converted to HD and it sounds great with no monthly fee! When my wife isn't looking I was thinking about an install of Directed's "Car Connect" universal HD Radio tuner from Crutchfield HD Radio Add-on Tuners

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Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Lynn

2000 SL500 Silver
2000 SL500 SOLD
1989 560SL SOLD
1988 560SL SOLD

Which model did you use? I just replaced the head unit in my '97 SL320 last night. It was a Jensen VM9311 with an XM add on. Listened to the XM for about a month before it was shut off, glad I've got Sirius as XM sucks. I was thinking of mounting my sportster in the compartment where the telephone control was mounted, saw someone on another forum (maybe you) who also mounted theirs in the ashtray space. How does the ashtray come out? 2 screws on either side? Wether I mount it there or not I still need to remove it to find the XM adapter from the old radio. If all else fails I'll just mount the S50 on the side of the console like I did in the 300CD

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'83 240D (for sale)
'84 Harley FXRT
'85 300CD Turbo (Sold)
'85 500SEC (for sale)
'04 Dodge Dakota Quad
'06 Harley FLHTCI
'97 SL320

Ray, just found this thread, Antenna control looks like you can install a switch in the antennea lead. I think I read about this before and someone used the switch from an older Benz and mounted it in the console somewhere

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'83 240D (for sale)
'84 Harley FXRT
'85 300CD Turbo (Sold)
'85 500SEC (for sale)
'04 Dodge Dakota Quad
'06 Harley FLHTCI
'97 SL320

Do you take your S-50 out of the car and use it in the house? I got a home dock, thinking I would do that and have never used it. The S-50 just stays in my car all the time.

I'm looking for another car dock now, so I can also use the radio in my 300TD. Let me know if you have a good source for one of those.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Like yours, my s-50 stays in the car. Radio Shack can probably order the car dock for you although all you need is the lighter plug and antennea.

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'83 240D (for sale)
'84 Harley FXRT
'85 300CD Turbo (Sold)
'85 500SEC (for sale)
'04 Dodge Dakota Quad
'06 Harley FLHTCI
'97 SL320

see my new thread on the complete installation.
will post it in 5 minutes.