HogTunes Fail
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Banned
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From: WI
I'll call and touch base with him tomorrow. So wait, the BT4180 is a class D amp? I thought it wasn't a class D amp?
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Banned
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From: WI
I was looking at these on BT's site. Kenwoods also. I've always kind of been a Kenwood guy. That is what I put in my Tahoe also. Was curious, do you have an issue seeing the display while out riding? I see the one Sony has the same style display as the HK.
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Banned
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From: WI
Hmmm. Bill must be on vacation or very busy. PM'ed him and left him a VM both yesterday and today. Haven't heard back. Just hanging tight right now until I get a chance to touch base with him.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: S. FL
It normally takes him a day or so to return PM's. I spoke to him briefly last week and he said he was slammed!
As far as reading the display. They all kinda suck. I have a Kenwood 998 and you can invert the display making it a bit easier to read....but even then.
As far as reading the display. They all kinda suck. I have a Kenwood 998 and you can invert the display making it a bit easier to read....but even then.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: SF Bay area
Anyone ever try using CB coax for a power cable? It's a trick we used to use in the 70's when RF interference was a problem. The stranded center conductor is surrounded by a thick white insulator, then a braided copper sheath, then a vinyl outer covering. (You need the RG8 base station cable, the thick stuff).
You use the inner conductor for the hot lead, and ground the braided sheath on each end of the run. It really did work, made an RF "trap".
You use the inner conductor for the hot lead, and ground the braided sheath on each end of the run. It really did work, made an RF "trap".
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: WI
Anyone ever try using CB coax for a power cable? It's a trick we used to use in the 70's when RF interference was a problem. The stranded center conductor is surrounded by a thick white insulator, then a braided copper sheath, then a vinyl outer covering. (You need the RG8 base station cable, the thick stuff).
You use the inner conductor for the hot lead, and ground the braided sheath on each end of the run. It really did work, made an RF "trap".
You use the inner conductor for the hot lead, and ground the braided sheath on each end of the run. It really did work, made an RF "trap".
Hmmm, that is interesting. So I guess I did not realize this, but I guess I never asked. I did not realize the BT4180 is a Class D amp. I was doing a lot of reading on this last night and I kept coming across this...
You are using a Class D amp that uses FM modulation. It is just the way it is.
Class D amps do have a tendency to ruin radio reception and all you can do is try and install the amp some where else in the car and see if it helps.
You can try a different amp but I would recommend you call tech support to find out if their amps cause the same problem too or else you will keep having this problem.
It seems to just be a common answer to the issue of losing FM with a after market amp. But I am also only seeing this response when it pertains to a class D amp. When I had the HogTunes amp in my bike I never went out of town. It was very early in the riding season, so I never got a chance to see if I lost FM signals with it. I am now wondering if maybe I need to get a none class D amp. I did contact John at J&M, I'll see if he has anything to add. I am wondering if a lot of folks that get the aftermarket systems just don't listen to FM as much as I do, so they wouldn't notice the loss. Just a thought.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Indianapolis IN.
Hmmm, that is interesting. So I guess I did not realize this, but I guess I never asked. I did not realize the BT4180 is a Class D amp. I was doing a lot of reading on this last night and I kept coming across this...
You are using a Class D amp that uses FM modulation. It is just the way it is.
Class D amps do have a tendency to ruin radio reception and all you can do is try and install the amp some where else in the car and see if it helps.
You can try a different amp but I would recommend you call tech support to find out if their amps cause the same problem too or else you will keep having this problem.
It seems to just be a common answer to the issue of losing FM with a after market amp. But I am also only seeing this response when it pertains to a class D amp. When I had the HogTunes amp in my bike I never went out of town. It was very early in the riding season, so I never got a chance to see if I lost FM signals with it. I am now wondering if maybe I need to get a none class D amp. I did contact John at J&M, I'll see if he has anything to add. I am wondering if a lot of folks that get the aftermarket systems just don't listen to FM as much as I do, so they wouldn't notice the loss. Just a thought.
You are using a Class D amp that uses FM modulation. It is just the way it is.
Class D amps do have a tendency to ruin radio reception and all you can do is try and install the amp some where else in the car and see if it helps.
You can try a different amp but I would recommend you call tech support to find out if their amps cause the same problem too or else you will keep having this problem.
It seems to just be a common answer to the issue of losing FM with a after market amp. But I am also only seeing this response when it pertains to a class D amp. When I had the HogTunes amp in my bike I never went out of town. It was very early in the riding season, so I never got a chance to see if I lost FM signals with it. I am now wondering if maybe I need to get a none class D amp. I did contact John at J&M, I'll see if he has anything to add. I am wondering if a lot of folks that get the aftermarket systems just don't listen to FM as much as I do, so they wouldn't notice the loss. Just a thought.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: S. FL
What I've noticed from the Class D amps is the smaller ones will less power draw don't impact FM. I had a Clarion X1410 that kept FM with no issues, similarly, you'll see post of folks using the small Alpine 445 with no FM issues either. I think the design for the 4180, being as power efficient as it is (using 14g wire) aids in maintaining FM reception. That's my theory.
Instead of getting an amp from J&M, just get the one he uses for less cost. The 500W is essentially an Arc Audio 125.4 and it's a class G/H amp. Lots of folks on this forum used to use that amp and the 125.2 when they first came out. I'm sure there are enough review threads regarding FM.
Instead of getting an amp from J&M, just get the one he uses for less cost. The 500W is essentially an Arc Audio 125.4 and it's a class G/H amp. Lots of folks on this forum used to use that amp and the 125.2 when they first came out. I'm sure there are enough review threads regarding FM.
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: WI
I'm going to still wait to talk to Bill. I'm not quite ready to give up on the BT equipment. I personally just don't think a different HU in my bike will change anything. I think I want a different HU anyway, but that is beside the point.
Hopefully he will get back to me today. John also got back to me, but for right now just had some questions on my setup.
We'll get here... :-) (With your guys help)!
Hopefully he will get back to me today. John also got back to me, but for right now just had some questions on my setup.
We'll get here... :-) (With your guys help)!
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: WI
The thing for me is if I just test my stations at my house, I get them all also. Or riding around town. I found the issue when I went for a ride north to a gun range I always go to. I lost reception about 1/2 way there. (Not Normal)... I could always listen to it all the way there. Take the amp out of the system and sure enough, I can listen to the station all the way again.