Antenna Solution Anyone? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 11-20-2010, 09:54 AM

When the antenna on my 1992 300D broke off, I ordered another (OEM). However, to my perplexity I noticed that the fitting was differently sized....the new antenna wouldn't screw in to the receptacle. As I also needed a new antenna on my 1991 300D (it was slightly bent), I installed it there.

On the 92, I concluded that it must have an aftermarket power antenna. Additionally, when the old antenna broke, part of the plastic lead broke and got lost in the power antenna mechanism. And I really don't have the interest in (a) disassembling the mechanism to fish out the plastic, and (b) trying to find a new retractable antenna with the right fitting.

So want I want to is find a way to screw a stationary antenna into the receptacle. But when I've looked at universal replacement antennas, the widest end (6mm diameter) is too small for my receptacle (I'm estimating 12mm).

Seems like there ought to be some way to piece things together so as to screw in an antenna.

Any ideas?

In the meantime, electrical tape covers the hole....

vstech · #2 11-20-2010, 10:08 AM

got pics of the antenna you have?
just the outside part is all I need to figure what's wrong.
it's a pretty simple procedure to open it up and remove the broken part, but I understand.
if you wanna send it to me, I'll fix it and send it back. My 93 D parts car has a much larger hole than 12mm. more like 14mm or 17mm even.
anyway, post some pics of the antenna you have, and I'll see what I can do.

shertex · #3 11-20-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

got pics of the antenna you have?
just the outside part is all I need to figure what's wrong.
it's a pretty simple procedure to open it up and remove the broken part, but I understand.
if you wanna send it to me, I'll fix it and send it back. My 93 D parts car has a much larger hole than 12mm. more like 14mm or 17mm even.
anyway, post some pics of the antenna you have, and I'll see what I can do.

I no longer have the antenna, but I can post a pic of the receptacle/fitting...will do so later.

I may be up for removing antenna and removing broken part. Antenna removal http://w124-zone.com/downloads/MB%20CD/W124/w124CD2/Program/Chassis/82-8105.pdf doesn't look too terribly difficult.

Do you think it's possible that there were different antennas used during the 90-93 300D run? Perhaps my aftermarket antenna assumption is gratuitous.

shertex · #4 11-20-2010, 10:55 AM

Hmmm....I'm now wondering based on FSM if there were different antennas that were used.

http://w124-zone.com/downloads/MB%20CD/W124/w124CD2/Program/Chassis/82-8105.pdf

Section C is entitled "antenna (radio/telephone) as of model year 92."

I wonder if this could account for different sized OEM fittings.

shertex · #5 11-20-2010, 12:18 PM

Actually, what I think I'll do for time being (and I'm sure this will earn an official reprimand from the moderator) is just use a coat hanger. But, as I'm getting perfect reception, I think, along with the reprimand, I should get an award for most-ghetto-repair-while-still-retaining-full-functionality!

Actually, put in an antenna from a table top radio instead. Not quite as ghetto of course, but now at least my son will allow me to pick him up from school in the car!

newtodiesel · #6 11-20-2010, 08:17 PM

check out ebay...they have some aftermarket antennas that will fit your car

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Radio-Antenna-Mast-Mercedes-Benz-260-300-D-E-TD-124-123-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c4eee3381QQitemZ190302794625QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

babymog · #7 11-20-2010, 08:57 PM

The antenna with telephone is smaller and IIRC it has an in-line plug instead of the square one.

shertex · #8 11-20-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

The antenna with telephone is smaller and IIRC it has an in-line plug instead of the square one.

What you mean "in-line plug instead of the square one?"

I was told the the one with the phone had a black tip...since both my original masts had a silver tip, I assume they were the same.

vstech · #9 11-20-2010, 09:21 PM

phone?
I've got several original antennas. some have an amplifier on the mast, some are pure antenna... would this be the "phone" you are talking about?
the 95 amplified antenna I have does have a black tip.
I also have an 85 amplified one but it has a silver tip same as my non amplified antenna...

the 124 antennas have one screw holding the body of the motorized antenna still, and a rubber/plastic fitting that passes through the body of the car, and a rubber/plastic cover that snaps over to hold it in place in the body.
I was looking over all my masts today, and didn't see anything that would be difficult to remedy. I did notice the retainer ring on the 124 antennas were larger than the 123 retainers... that might be an issue I think.

shertex · #10 11-20-2010, 09:25 PM

Just reviewed my email correspondence with the individual who sold me the mast that fit the 91. (He had a supply of Hirshmanns and was selling them for $25.) He did indicate that the ones with the black tip do have a slightly smaller base. So I'm wondering if that's what I need. But I could have SWORN that the original antenna on the 92 had a silver tip.

shertex · #11 11-20-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

phone?
I've got several original antennas. some have an amplifier on the mast, some are pure antenna... would this be the "phone" you are talking about?

I think....my understanding was that, on cars that were equipped with a car phone, the mast had a black tip.

vstech · #12 11-20-2010, 09:43 PM

I thought all the cars were equipped with car phones...

shertex · #13 11-20-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I thought all the cars were equipped with car phones...

It's all so confusing to me. My 91 clearly DID have a car phone....I still have the cable running to the antenna on the rear window. But if that was the original set-up, then clearly there's no need for the phone to make use of the radio antenna. As I mentioned, the silver tip mast fit this car perfectly.

When I bought the 92, never saw any evidence of a phone (though perhaps it had one). But the silver tipped Hirschmann mast won't fit.

If I were ABSOLUTELY SURE which mast to get, I would go back to my source and buy one from him.