stormtigers

Hi Guys
Often see discussion about antenna masts on the forums.
Help my antenna's jammed or wont work etc etc etc.
Anyone I know there is a plethora of aftermarket stuff out there, aluminium, chrome etc but for the stalwarts I have found a great resource of genuine Hirschmann product in the UK and his prices are great in comparison to the aftermarket US stuff !

Mast, Aerial items in car-masts-uk-shop store on eBay!

Malcom answered my query within an hour regarding a mast for my 300CE. I had searched the Hirschmann site and come up with the wrong antenna based on the Model number I had found on the outside casing.
He pointed out the error and correctly pointed me at the right product which he had on eBay and it cost me the princeley sum of $45 landed !
Now that might seem a bit expensive, not much though as the aluminium or steel ones are all around the $30-$40 price anyway !

So as a suggestion give Malcom a try if your in the market for an antenna mast - the real deal may not be as expensive as you think !
Oh and by the way, a parts supplier here wanted over $100 for a real one !!
Who's laughing now baby.......

"[SIZE="2"]...This is a brand new GENUINE replacement aerial antenna mast telescope for the Mercedes E Class 123 models (1975 to 1985) and 124 models (1984 to 1995) Coupe, Cabriolet, Cabrio and Convertible models fitted with the Hirschmann 6000 EL and KE and KE-F series electric aerial (power antenna) as original equipment. The aerial is easily identified from outside the car as the tip is mushroom shaped. This aerial was fitted by Mercedes as original equipment at the factory, and as an approved after-market option on most models. This GENUINE Hirschmann mast is all chrome and has the stylised Hirschmann “h04” on the aerial tip (see illustration). It includes the retaining ferule and drive cable.

Will fit 220, 230, 280, 300, 320 CE and Convertible models . This is a genuine Hirschmann mast, manufactured in Europe, by Hirschmann of Germany, as supplied to Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW. It is made from quality chromium plated brass and is not a cheap copy made in China using chromium plated steel[/size].

MarioC55

I recently replaced my antenna with a aftermarket made mast... it was ok until i decided to shove the mast all the way in ... LOL and now its stuck again... I'm sure I can disassemble the entire assembly but my radio works find and reception is not affected ...

buy the 60 dollar mast.. LOL trust me its better

stormtigers

Mario Mario Mario - when you ever gonna learn !! LOL

Yes exactly Mario - people take things like antennas for granted and honestly for the most an aftermarket solution will probably work fine !

But at the end of the day - you get what you pay for !

It is quite intriguing that when I asked Hirschman about my antenna it drew a blank response because the Part No is not documented as being in their range and they asked for photo's !



I also copied in their response to Malcom who has provided heaps of information - he obviously has a passion for his business.

"...The Hirschmann aerials have part numbers (descriptions) and suffixes:
AUTA 6000 EL was their premium Electric aerial as fitted to Mercedes, BMW Jaguar and Porsche etc between about 1983 and 1993
The correct part number of the aerial is AUTA 6000 EL-F457, but it never appears in a Hirschmann catalogue of that period. The suffix 'F' identifies it as having a rubber grommet type wing fitting and the 457 as containing the wiring and fixing brackets specific to the W124 Saloon series from September 1988 and C124 Coupe series for after-sales installation so the aerial could have been fitted at the factory or by the supplying main dealer. I believe all 3 digit suffixes beginning 4 were Mercedes models.
The same suffix F-457 would also be used for the AUTA 4000 range which was the premium manual aerial. The -457 suffix would not have been used with the AUTA 6000-EL as this was the earlier type of aerial using a bolt-down metal type wing fitting rather than the later rubber push fit type fitting, and not have been used with the later AUTA 6000 KE-F version of the aerial, which used more micro-chip control technology and was more universal in application using separately boxed fitting kits, rather than complete application specific single boxed aerials.
I believe the subsequent Serial No 48 7.01 will identify it's production date in a coded format for warranty purposes. The aerial was made at a time when both Mercedes and Hirschmann products were well engineered and is worth maintaining. ...."

WOW ! Now that's impressive you have to admit.
Being old school in product experience and having all that information.

Yes I know - it's only a damn antenna , but think of it this way, many forum users strongly believe in maintaining the originality of their car.
We now have, as a group, a guy who specialises in one particular original fitment part, is willing to advise and can supply genuine replacement parts for competitive prices !! Gotta Love It !

klobbr

I was trouble shooting the head unit volume control problem I noticed in Austin in my garage yesterday and heard a disturbing sound like a sabre rattling out the stern of the car. When I got out of the seat to check it out the antenna had actually ejected itself and about a foot of the feeding coil out of the assembly. Good grief. I will order said part for when I have the sound system overhauled. Later.

stormtigers

Bob, it might just be the retaining ferule was not properly screwed into the antenna body. Make sure it hasn't fallen off somewhere. That's the only way the antenna itself could have come out along with the plastic drive cable.

Floobydust

Before you do that, try this. Gently pull the volume control knob off the radio. Get a can of WD-40 with the small red tube that comes with it. Spray a bloast of WD-40 into the area of the volume knob shaft. Turn the knob back and forth a bunch of times; repeat above. Replace the volume knob, spin it a few more times and try the radio. Viola, it should work again. You may have to repeat this in the future as electro-smegma builds up on the encoder that actually controls the volume.

Worked great for me. Hope it does for you too.

klobbr

understood.

klobbr

The stereo in my car is totally f'd up. The head unit is toast (Sony) and I am sure the install is mis wired. It is not a priority for me at the moment, but will eventually toss it or ebay it and put something more period appropriate in later. It is low on the list for now.

Floobydust

Ah, I see. For me, if the stereo isn't working, the whole car is broken. Not many people with those priorities I guess. . .

stormtigers

Guys

Just recycling this post once more.

My new antenna mast arrived from England today.
All I can say is - why buy a slightly cheaper no-name.

This is a genuine Hirschmann Communications Mast AUTA 6000 Type 04.

It feels and looks the real deal (probably because it is ! )
It's actually quite heavy, feels solid and fitment was complete in less than 2 minutes ! The aerial now extends it's proper length and now my radio reception which has been a bit flakey on the way to the golf course should be restored !

I can't stress how inexpensive this was compared to the chrome plated aluminium/chinese made stuff for sale on eBay.

$43 Australian (about $45 US at present) and arrived a week after I paid for it. And it's a genuine part - what more can you ask for !

Give Malcom a go if your mast is stuffed ! He also specialises in the rubber fender grommets etc for antennas.

http://stores.ebay.com/car-masts-uk-...id=p4340.l2563

klobbr

In a series of stupidity I bent my mast and of course, when I attempted to straighten it I snapped the cheapo thing off at the base. I was on the road so I actually cut the feeder off and threw the part into the trunk. Thanks to this post I can replace the mast with the OEM part and not with another cheap one. It was an oddball, the thinnest section was black and it looked odd to me. Now it will sport the all chrome original. Snap! (Pun intended)

Thanks Ray, I may be consulting you about the replacement installation in a week or two.