Audio Systems Find answers to all of your stereo, speaker and other audio technology questions here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

New audio set up killed Fm/Am

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 10, 2021 | 02:37 PM
  #1  
Ed D's Avatar
Ed D
Thread Starter
|
Novice
5 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Southern Mass
Default New audio set up killed Fm/Am

I’m sorry if this information is already in the forum …I have not been able to find it.

2017 road glide

i followed one of the popular audio set ups from this forum. (Some great advice here btw)
Stinger amp, BT line levelers, Mmats in the faring, RF Bag lid speakers.

My bike has the hidden antenna that is under the faring powered by 12 V.

With the new set up I get near zero radio reception. The majority of my music comes directly from my iPhone, however it would be nice to have some FM reception.

I used the same 12V ignition driven “spare” power wire inside the faring to power the blue enable or signal wire on the amp.

Is it the amplifier itself killing radio reception or is it simply the blue enable wire sharing the same power source as the antenna?
could I switch to a stubby fender mounted antenna and scrap the under faring antenna or is there a filter or another power source I should connect to?”

thanks in advance
EdD
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2021 | 02:48 PM
  #2  
teedoff65's Avatar
teedoff65
Seasoned HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1,603
From: High Point, NC.
Default

Originally Posted by Ed D
I’m sorry if this information is already in the forum …I have not been able to find it.

2017 road glide

i followed one of the popular audio set ups from this forum. (Some great advice here btw)
Stinger amp, BT line levelers, Mmats in the faring, RF Bag lid speakers.

My bike has the hidden antenna that is under the faring powered by 12 V.

With the new set up I get near zero radio reception. The majority of my music comes directly from my iPhone, however it would be nice to have some FM reception.

I used the same 12V ignition driven “spare” power wire inside the faring to power the blue enable or signal wire on the amp.

Is it the amplifier itself killing radio reception or is it simply the blue enable wire sharing the same power source as the antenna?
could I switch to a stubby fender mounted antenna and scrap the under faring antenna or is there a filter or another power source I should connect to?”

thanks in advance
EdD
I regained FM signal when I switched to the stinger amp. But I don't think good FM is guaranteed, but depends on where you live and where the amp is and other factors. I will say I had the antenna reversed and run under the fender/seat and still got decent reception. Perhaps try the stock antenna and see if it improves. I've heard both good and bad about the hidden antennas.
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2021 | 03:32 PM
  #3  
mcdc1224's Avatar
mcdc1224
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 671
Likes: 109
From: North Myrtle Beach SC
Default

Same as TeedOff, when I ran the stinger 700 my FM came back, but I had a sporty antenna
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2021 | 04:29 PM
  #4  
lefty33's Avatar
lefty33
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by mcdc1224
Same as TeedOff, when I ran the stinger 700 my FM came back, but I had a sporty antenna
Same for me. When I went with the Stinger, my FM was back & better. Now I was also running the HD issue shorty antenna mounted on the TourPak.
I don't think the Stinger is your issue, but your antenna. Heck, before I had an amp in the mix, I tried a hidden antenna on the stock system and FM reception went way down.
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2021 | 02:33 AM
  #5  
travelingypsye's Avatar
travelingypsye
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3,371
Likes: 689
From: indiana
Default

The hidden antenna is the problem. I have tried several from a cheap e-bay to HD all "power" antennas and all with the same results regardless of what amp I was running. Use the stock location antenna and hook a short wire type antenna running it under the fender and up the side of the saddle bag was the answer for me. Now I dont even listen to fm anymore as I use memory sticks and my phone via amazon prime or other streaming service.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sparky73
Touring Models
3
Sep 10, 2013 01:45 PM
speedydog5
Audio Systems
9
Sep 6, 2013 11:48 AM
Snappykevin
Touring Models
3
May 20, 2011 02:38 PM
GMC4EVR
Touring Models
6
Jul 12, 2008 06:55 PM
JDean
Touring Models
2
Jun 17, 2006 04:43 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:11 AM.

story-0
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-6
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE