-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VL59VGix1fDpSNYeCKgXI+HL+vtBvaA4wYX2P+XBGc//dKWH1g1vWgg6c95fKKUe
 2+cbLdwd8O1NyQU60aNKwQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000317093-03-000069.txt : 20031112
<SEC-HEADER>0000317093-03-000069.hdr.sgml : 20031111
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031112082714
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000317093-03-000069
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DESANA JOHN E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001189823

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14617
		FILM NUMBER:		03990623

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5000 ROYAL MARCO WAY #730
		CITY:			MARCO ISLAND
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			34145-7802

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ANDREW CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000317093
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DRAWING AND INSULATING NONFERROUS WIRE [3357]
		IRS NUMBER:				362092797
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10500 W 153RD ST
		CITY:			ORLAND PARK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60462
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7083493300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10500 WEST 153RD ST
		CITY:			ORLANDO PARK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60462
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001189823d20031111f5f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-09-30</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000317093</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ANDREW CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>andw</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189823</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DESANA JOHN E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10500 W. 153RD STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ORLAND PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60462</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Corporation Officer</officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-09-30</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType><transactionCode>P</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F1"/></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>4363</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>4.87</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>18575</value></sharesOwnedF
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nsactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>APST</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-09-30</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F2"/></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>333</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>12.08</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>20575</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmo
unts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>APST</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>9.36</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-11-13</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-11-13</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>40000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>40000</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature><
/derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>17.563</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1999-11-11</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-11-11</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>42000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>42000</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>19.33</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1996-
11-15</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2005-11-15</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>4500</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4500</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>22.19</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-11-14</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2011-11-14</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value
>45000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>45000</value><footnoteId id="F6"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>22.65</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2001-10-23</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-10-23</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>55000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>55000</value><footnoteId id="F7"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmo
unts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>23.125</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1998-11-12</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2007-11-12</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>20000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>20000</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><security
Title><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>23.81</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2001-02-08</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-02-08</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>35000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>35000</value><footnoteId id="F9"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>38.17</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1997-11-13</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><val
ue>2006-11-13</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>11250</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>11250</value><footnoteId id="F10"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">These shares were purchased pursuant to the 2003 Andrew Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote><footnote id="F2">These shares are held in the reporting person's account in the Andrew Profit Sharing Trust ("APST")</footnote><footnote id="F3">Vesting Schedule:

25% of Grant exercisable after 11/13/03
50% of Grant exercisable after 11/13/04
75% of Grant exercisable after 11/13/05
100% of Grant exercisable after 11/13/06 through 11/13/12</footnote><footnote id="F4">Vesting Schedule:

100% of Grant exercisable after 11/12/02 through 11/13/08</footnote><footnote id="F5">Vesting Schedule

100% of Grant exercisble after 11/16/99 through 11/15/05</footnote><footnote id="F6">Vesting Schedule:

25% of Grant exercisable after 11/14/02
50% of Grant exercisable after 11/14/03
75% of Grant exercisable after 11/14/04
100% of Grant exercisable after 11/14/05 through 11/14/11</footnote><footnote id="F7">Vesting Schedule:

50% of Grant exercisable after 10/23/02
75% of Grant exercisable after 10/23/03
100% of Grant exercisable after 102304 through 10/23/10</footnote><footnote id="F8">Vesting Schedule:

100% of Grant exercisable after 11/13/01 through 11/12/07</footnote><footnote id="F9">Vesting Schedule:

50% of Grant exercisable after 02/08/02
75% of Grant exercisable after 02/08/03
100% of Grant exercisable after 02/08/04 through 02/08/10</footnote><footnote id="F10">Vesting Schedule:

100% of Grant exercisable after 11/14/00 through 11/13/06</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>James F. Petelle</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-11</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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