Doggone Hirschman antenna acting up again
 

'81 300SD. The silly antenna goes all the way up (not part way as usual) when I turn on the radio but will not retract at all. I have to short across a couple of metal pieces with a screwdriver to make it retract for the last couple of days. This is really getting old.

I am partially to blame because I took it apart several months ago when it would not retract completely. Then I got the right-most set of points out of whack and had to bend them back together. But it has worked well for several months until yesterday.

Not sure what to do now. Maybe I will just put a hammer in the trunk.:o

Power Antenna - Phooey. Manual is better
 

I've had issues with the power antenna as well. I finally got really fed up with it. How about a manual antenna? They made them for low option W123's. Last year I found a manual replacement available at Performance Parts for about $50. It was a very easy install. Now if I have antenna problems, which I don't, I can only blame myself. When I want it down, I push it down myslef. It's a nice set up. The only down side is that you have to wipe it down every once in a while to eliminate the lube from jamming the ambient crud on the antenna shaft.

I do not disagree. The only thing is that my SD is completely stock and I hesitate to go in another direction. I expect it to self-heal soon and will just wait - then use the hammer adjustment method if necessary.