Need to test a Hirschmann 6000U antenna
 

Greetings all. I have an older aluminum case Hirschmann 6000u automatic antenna that I would like to get tested. Does anyone know of a shop in the Chicagoland area that can test this unit? Thanks.

Walter Odemer Co. in Burbank Calif is about the only place that will touch it, and be prepared to pay. In fact, I'm not sure if they take them anymore. Google the name and you'll get a contact. In fact, search this forum for his name.

I've bought parts from Antenna World in Miami, but I fear their stock of NOS parts for the 6000U was running low. Nice folks down there, though.

The antennas are actually pretty easy to figure out if you open them up. I got one going once with a new roller bearing for the pinch roller. Maybe you can DiY it.

Becker America
 

http://www.beckerautosound.com/

(Well it looks like Belden has bought Hirschmann.)

OR you can test it yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e253EeGKZA

http://jaguar.professional.org/aerial/

http://europeantransmissionscom.x-shops.com/shop/product.php?productid=16303&cat=818&page=1

http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/c/80-Hirschmann-Tech/Technical.html

AND Lastly:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-Hirschmann-AUTA-6000U-Smooth-Aerial-Mast-OE-/360348635137

[Ain't that there www. Thang Incredulous!)

Thanks guys. Great info.

Be careful with the points if you open it up; they are pretty sensitive. They are on flat copper blades on the upper right side. I got mine out of whack and now the antenna does not want to go down unless I bridge two points with a screwdriver. Not sure what to do and I am pretty tired of opening the trunk to make it go down every time I turn the 300SD off.

Anyone who would like a private assessment of my experiences with Walter Odemer is welcome to email me.

I have to ask - why not just buy a new antenna?

Because you can't. Parts are not available for the older antennas except for replacement masts. These are very complicated and expensive antennas that allow you to adjust the height of the antenna with the dash-mounted switch. This (I think) is done by sending a reduced voltage to the antenna and the antenna is smart enough to tell that you want the antenna higher or lower based on that. This "concept" does not exist anymore in automotive antennas. It's either all the way up, or all the way down. Even on the Becker site, they make it clear that their replacement antennas will not do anything based on the dash-mounted antenna height switch.

antenna
 

What exactly are the symptoms of the antenna? Can u post pictures?
When u plug it into the car what does it do or not do?
I had a bad board,(opened it up and had black burnt spots on the board) and found a BMW antenna w/ a good board and just swapped them out and it worked. Sometimes the plastic wind up chord breaks, sometimes the gears break, a lot of times the mast is broken.

Here a few links I found for parts

http://compare.ebay.com/like/400204168954?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=220316870800&crlp=1_263602_309572&UA =WVF%3F&GUID=e5622c2712e0a47a2685cd15ff01b426&itemid=400204168954&ff4=263602_309572

http://catalog.importrp.com/item.wws?mfr=HIRSCHMANN&sku=ACC049939&source=GOOGLEBASE
you can find the antenna/spare parts much cheaper if you search or go to a junkyard

http://compare.ebay.com/like/150580440090?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=220318356257&crlp=1_263602_309572&UA =WVF%3F&GUID=e5622c2712e0a47a2685cd15ff01b426&itemid=150580440090&ff4=263602_309572

If all you want to do is test it, then lay it on a work bench and attach some jumper wires from your battery charger to it. You can make the antenna go up and retract with the battery charger as a power source.