M-Class GPS cellphone antennas

M-Class GPS/cell combo antenna, first version (163 820 0675)
This is the old style antenna with red double sticky tape which is glued to the roof.

M-Class Pre MY 2002 GPS phone antenna, second version (163 820 1875)
The new style antenna comes with a white rubber grommet and sometimes also a small install tool.
The splitter and GPS amplifier is on the left side in picture above.

Kathrein Mobile Telephone / GPS antenna installation instructions
scanned in by Peter Leubner

The antenna is screwed from the outside into the cutout in the roof and connects automatically to the factory preinstalled coax cable (RG 58 U). Glue it onto the roof with the double sticky tape.

With the second version the black rubber grommet must be removed and replaced with the white rubber piece to make a leak tight fit around the screw hole.

The splitter plugs into the other side of the factory preinstalled RG 58 U coax behind the radio bin. The splitter also connects to the MCS, using the cable with the HRS plug.

The MCS supplies +5 Volt across its antenna input (center to ground). The center pin of the GPS antenna in the rear should thus have 5 Volts on it. This also confirms that the coax leads all the way through, and is not interrupted like in 2001+ European models without Tele Aid under the passenger front seat.

splitter/GPS amplifier (163 820 1289 or 163 820 3089) IN: antenna coax from active rear roof antenna OUT: phone Rx/Tx 810-980 MHz and 1710 to 1990 MHz OUT: GPS 1575.42 MHz amplified 26 db +/- a few power +4.0...5.25 V and 22 mA fed via coax from NAV FME (m) connectors, also GSM compatible

Splitter to MCS harness 163 540 0113 This harness connects the splitter to the MCS or COMAND with connectors FME (f) to HRS GT5 (f) and 3 ft RG 174 A/U coax.

HRS GT5 (f) connector This HRS GT5 is used for the GPS input on the Mercedes M-Class MCS DVD or CD NAVIs as well as for the Audio 30 APS and COMANDs.

GPS dash antenna Another option is the Mercedes hideaway GPS antenna, part 203 820 0975. It comes with a HRS GT5 (f) connector which plugs right into the MCS or COMAND and 20" of cable. GPS reception on the dash under metalized windshields usually works, but may not be as optimal as with a roof antenna.

Model Year 2002 to 2005 M-Class combo antenna With three color coded and keyed FAKRA connectors. MB part number is 163 820 15 75. black: TeleAid blue: GPS bordeaux: cellphone FAKRA color coding FAKRA coding and specs, Rosenberger, DE FAKRA coding and specs, Yazaki, US

03 ML350 antenna foot pic from George in Australia The MB part number is 163 820 1675.

redeye

M-Class cell phone only antenna 163 820 11 75 phone only antenna US, much less expensive than the combo antennas installation instructions (from Paul)

Some coax connectors from AMP or Kathrein, SMB, GT-5, RAKU, WICLIC, FME

2006 M-Class roof antenna module
It's sealed to the rear fiberglass roof panel in the center.

Retightening M-Class GPS antenna After a few years the GPS antenna installed in model year 1998 to 2001 may need retightening on the roof. The voltage is supplied from the MCS radio via the coax cable and fed into the foot of the antenna so the GPS signal can be received and processed. If the antenna becomes loose, the GPS signal can no longer be received and the small satellite symbol in the upper left corner of the MCS screen turns red with a cross through it, instead of green, indicating GPS satellite signal reception is lost. An 8 mm socket wrench can be used to retighten the antenna. Once it is tight a voltmeter should indicate about 5 Volts, measuring across the coax connector at the foot. And the satellite symbol on the screen should turn green again, indicating the GPS satellite signal is received again. November 2007

Wolfgang's M-Class MCS DVD/CD NAV installation ('99 ML320)

Richard's Mercedes-Benz COMAND Info site (RHD, UK)

Hans Hehl's G270 CDI COMAND (Deutsch)

Peter Leubner ML270 CDI COMAND and TV install, hosted at P3

phones

radios + navigation

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Wolfgang's ML Page