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  #1  
Old 09-07-2003, 10:44 PM
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Question How to access Hirshman power antenna on w108?

Hello,

I am now the proud owner of a 1970 Mercedes 280SEL, 108 chassis of course, and I was wondering if anyone knew just how to gain access to the Hirshman powered antenna sitting in my passenger side fender. The antenna will not extend or retract, and I need to gain access to it to see if the motor is blown or if it is a fuse.

First of all, how do I get to it?

My car has the Thermo-King air conditioning unit installed, so there is a squirrel cage blower sitting right in between the passenger seat and the antenna. Is it at all possible to gain access from inside the passenger compartment?

Secondly, where should the fuse for the antenna be located?

Third, is poor reception with a Becker Europa a fact of life, or do I possibly have a loose antenna connection. In case anyone was wondering, I did extend the mast manually, so poor reception isn't because the antenna was down.

Thanks in advance for any replies I might receive.

-Matthew Anker

P.S. Does anyone know of some place that sells replacement body panels for these cars? Specifically, I need the "dog legs" around the rear wheel wells.

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  #2  
Old 09-08-2003, 12:27 AM
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No access from inside the passenger compartment. There's a removeable panel and gasket inside the front wheel-well to get to the antenna. The bolts/screws are probably covered in undercoat,dirt and rust. You should also find some sealer between the panel and the inner fender. It would be a good idea to clean out the fender cavity once you get the panel off and maybe treat/repair any rust you find.

There may be a number of small supplemental fuse boxes under the hood for radio, AC, power windows etc.... The antenna fuse is probably in one of them.

It's possible the contact inside the antenna is weak/dirty/corroded, though I've only seen that happen on a retractable Bosch antenna. You could connect a cheap aftermarket antenna to test the radio, before installing a replacement antenna in the car.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #3  
Old 09-08-2003, 03:18 AM
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I believe the antenna fuse is in the fuse box, the radio fuse is under the hood. You'll need an 8mm socket for the bolts to the access panel in the right fenderwell.
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'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
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  #4  
Old 09-08-2003, 09:38 AM
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I've seen a guy selling a set of those panels on eBay. I suppose I'll get the one off and inspect it this afternoon.

Any idea on where I could find some dog legs?
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  #5  
Old 09-08-2003, 11:57 AM
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Antennas....

My Hirschmann ant was in REALLY rough shape,
and I was scared off by the over $200 for a new one.

Picked up a replacement for $30 from Radio Shack that works just as well.

Radio Reception:
Antenna will give most bang for buck -
Otherwise send it in to the Becker Radio guy (link on hemmings),
and for $200 he'll bring it back to original specs.

I've found my "wanders" a bit and has difficulty pulling in the weaker stations.

Alternative is to get a new unit w/CD - most of the new models are a direct fit. Not as purdy as the becker, but work much better.
Some guys have rigged up harnesses to keep the original in place.

What's a dog leg ?
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  #6  
Old 09-08-2003, 01:00 PM
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Quote:
What's a dog leg ?
Maybe it's a regional expression in SE Ohio, but the part I need skirts the rear wheel wells from the door back. If you look at it, then you'll see what I mean.

..............------------
________/.................\_________
....................WHEEL

Never mind the periods, they're just there for spacing.
Get it?
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  #7  
Old 09-08-2003, 03:22 PM
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Got it !

Ohhhhh - that part...
Pretty sure that one's welded in place.

New ? try
http://www.dbdepot.de/englisch/108/index_1024.html

Click on body panels 3. I think that's what you want.

Not sure of used sources - junkyard/dismantlers maybe ?
Look in Hemmings (pub) or HemmingsMotorNews.com
for sources.
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  #8  
Old 09-08-2003, 04:38 PM
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I have a 71 108 280SE and I can access the antenna by removing the AC blower motor located in the RH passengers footwell. There are a couple of "hidden" bolts (hard to see but they are there), remove them and the blower will pull straight out. You can then reach (not easy!) thru the blower hole and get to the antenna. Hope this helps.
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1971 108 280SE 2.8 "Ronnie"
1985 300TDT (76,904 Original miles ) "Sadie" (Sold-went back to Arkansas)
1984 300DT "Green-go" (Sold)
1984 300DT "Silver Bullet" (Sold)
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1985 300D (Sold)
1984 300D
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  #9  
Old 09-08-2003, 08:24 PM
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The Hirshman power antenna motor may be too big to fit through the blower motor hole, especially the old style metal-cased Hirshman motor. You might be able to find a modern Hirshman plastic-cased power antenna cheaper than $200. Or try aftermarket if you're not too picky. I prefer those stainless one-piece non-retractable antennas over the power ones if I'm going for aftermarket. They're hard to bend or break and if they do get broken, the mast section just unscrews for replacement.

Happy Motoring, Mrk
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  #10  
Old 09-08-2003, 09:11 PM
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Thanks for the link to that German parts supplier. That's the first listing I have seen with just a replacement part. No problem welding it in. I know a couple professional welders who would do it for me.

I'm going to try to get to the antenna this weekend. I have a few more pressing issues with my car's body before I can get around to that.
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  #11  
Old 09-11-2003, 09:28 PM
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Well, I got it all fixed up. It turns out that I do not have a powered antenna, but rather a manual telescoping antenna. Due to my young age, I have never seen a telescoping antenna that does not have a motor, so this is a new idea to me. It is one of the lockable Hirshman's, though.

The main problem was that I could not get anything but the closest AM radio station and FM reception was generally poor. I pulled out my Becker Europa mono radio and the antenna cable broke off in my hands. It had been spliced together at the connector by the previous owner. My local car audio shop just happened to have a used cable that was thankfully longer than the original, so now I have some room to work. Replaced the cable, and still no AM.

I took the Europa out once again and cleaned all the corrosion off of the sliding contacts. You guessed it, no AM.

Finally, since I am a tranined electronics technician, I took it completely apart and resoldered every connection on the board. Took about a half hour to do. I put the radio back in the car, and it is definitely a sensitive AM tuner. FM reception brings in weaker stations, too.

Remember that little light bulb in the front of the radio. It was burned out, and I was unable to locate a replacement locally. I went down to Radio Shack (aka. Rat Shack) and picked up one of those great new white light emitting diodes. I put it in series with a 420 ohm current limiting resistor and installed it in place of that strange small bulb. In order to do this, I had to remove the old socket, permanently, but that isn't a problem. The new LED is just as bright as the original, but will not need replaced for tens of thousands of hours. This, folks, is how you recondition a vintage Becker. What a nice old radio! You have to have some real appreciation for how it's made in contrast to today's cheaply made junk.
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  #12  
Old 09-11-2003, 11:42 PM
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Well Done !

I like the diode idea, my odd-ball bulb is burned out as well.
I'll have to give that a try.

I had the same cold-solder issue.
My trouble spots were on the top side....

I went ahead and re-capped the lower power amp -
seems to sound a little better too.
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  #13  
Old 09-12-2003, 11:13 AM
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becker-mexico radios

Had my Becker repaired at factory shop, paid too much, still stunk! Got rid of it and replaced with Sony, much better. Note that power antenna switch can cause trouble. I by passed mine. Abe G
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  #14  
Old 08-27-2015, 01:41 PM
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I am resurrecting this thread to find out if the Hirschmann antennas on the 72 W108 were power operated or manually operated.

I have seen several manual ones on ebay but wanted to know what I should replace my one with.

Where the power operated ones an option?

Do you guys have a part /model number for a compatible Hirschmann.

Thanks guys.
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  #15  
Old 07-08-2016, 03:16 PM
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72 w108 antenna

My 72 280se 4.5 has a manual antenna. The amp did have the power antenna switch though.

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