Antenna doesn't go down all the way?

[Coochas]

Hi,
As long as I can remember, the antenna on my 1971 280SL stays 'up' about 12 inches when fully depressed.  Is this normal or should the antenna go all the way down?
It's been like this forever and I am hesitant to use any force especially if it is normal!
TIA

[Jonny B]

Auto or manual? But either way the standard Hirschman antenna should go all the way down. That is what the little key is there to help with - get it back out!

[Coochas]

I'm assuming it's a manual antenna!
I'll try some love taps and penetrant to see if it will go down further.

Thanks.

[KevinC]

Dave,

Do you have a key for your antenna?

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21439.0

This might help.

Kevin

[thelews]

Dave,

Do you have a key for your antenna?

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21439.0

This might help.

Kevin

How would a key help it go down?

[KevinC]

I was thinking that if the key was meant to lock the aerial in place, than possibly it could help "unlock" it.  Worth a try, right?

[Flyair]

If the antenna does not go all inside, it may mean that either the telescopic tubes are damaged or the angle of the installation changed and the bottom of the antenna hits some obstacle. The space is quite scarce especially if it is an automatic antenna.