Power antenna failure-need to retract the whip

bugstrider · bugstrider's Garage

Howdy,

I'm looking for suggestions on how to manually retract an extended power antenna that has failed. I've read the existing posts on this topic, however I have failed to find a solution. The factory mast motor failed many years ago(12+) and the PO just let it fly fully extended for more than a decade ignoring the medical advise of seeking professional help after 4 hours....😜. OK, so I couldn't resist.

Anyway, on my to do list is to replace the bloody thing. In the mean time I've tried genial downward pressure, base adjustment, to the Jeramey Clarkson method of tapping it with a hammer. All of thus and not even a budge downward. From its stubbornness, I would say the internal cable is still intact and that the motor has locked up. Does any of you have a better suggestion. I just want to pull it back down back to tolerable levels rather that the 4' CB aerial look.

Thanks

Jdub · 02-04-2014, 07:25 AM

Yes, the mast is fully extended and the motor stuck in the up position. I've rebuilt a ton of Hirschmanns in Mercedes but know next to nothing about what the 911 uses. Basically, you remove the entire unit and pull it apart in the Merc. The Hirschmann units are actually very simple mechanisms that become very dirty over time - hopefully that is all you are looking at now.

bugstrider · bugstrider's Garage

Thanks,

I removed it and while attempting to get the plastic case apart, I inadvertently snapped the plastic cable. I guess it's a mute point now. BTW, what technique do you use to get the plastic case apart without destroying it?

Jdub · 02-05-2014, 06:01 AM

Shoot, all the ones I ever worked with were the pot metal variety and came apart with some screws and a bit of leverage. Did not know you were up against the worst sort of material given time and weather!

Rebuilt units are plentiful and that is what I would do if I were you. I learned the hard way by install / breaks / uninstall / try again to bench test the unit first, but it can have you weeping if the newly-installed, old unit gives up the ghost a second time.