Just bought the new, 'improved' Boom hidden, under fairing antenna for my 2011 Street Glide.

I read that it wasn't that great, but the reception I'm getting is abysmal.

Here's what I've tried so far on this bike:

1) Stock 'whip' antenna in the rear: Great reception, no complaints.

2) Bend stock antenna down 30*, hide it under the seat, zip tied to the frame. Reduced reception, about the same as the Boom.

3) Hide stock 'whip' antenna under the fairing. Reduced reception, no better or worse than the Boom or the 'bent' antenna.

4) Tried using a Y-cable to create a combination of both. No improvement.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

you are fighting science.

antennas work best at a 90º angle to the ground- sticking up vertically.

the exceptions to that would be a "yagi" type ( think old time tv antenna) which is somewhat directional, and Dad would turn the thing on the roof while we yelled better/worse.

The newer fractal style are also directional.


since we are on a moving vehicle we need 360º reception.

an antenna also likes a "ground plane" the sheet of steel in the base of a tour pak helps to do this- as does the road.

and it needs to be exposed to the radio waves, tieing it to the frame only leaves 1/2 of it exposed, the frame shields it from RF


there are amplified antenna systems, but in most cases they also amplify the static noise.


When I want reliable radio reception on the open road, I have the stock whip on the tour pak.

in town I can get any with less as the transmitters are closer, and if the tour pak is detached, I use the ant. relocate kit to mount it by the saddlebag, and a $8 pepboys rubber stubby works fine.

you can see the stubby in the below photo




Mike