Infotainment CB problems
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 587
From: Michigan
Two things to check:
- Check the coax connector under the TP flap (between seat & TP) for corrosion. The CB coax uses an old style Motorola connector (like used on AM/FM antennas on older cars with mast antennas. If you find a white powdery residue, use emory cloth to clean it up. apply dielectric grease & put it back together.
- Check the connections inside the TP (you'll need to remove the liner) to make sure they're tight. CB antenna is the one on the right side of the bike(same side as throttle).
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 587
From: Michigan
Also, you should add additional grounding straps between the TP (attach to one of the front mounting bolts on the bottom of the TP that allow front/rear adjustment) to the rear sub frame and then from the rear sub frame to the main frame at the back of the gas tank.
These two changes should provide a noticeable improvement in performance.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Bridgeport,PA
CB problems
In the upgrade kit I mentioned in the previous post there were a set of ground straps that I also replaced. The same problem still exists. I been in touch with the supplier to let them know of problem. They haven't come up with a solution as yet. As you said, to replace the antenna, that would be the next step. This should be a warranty replacement.
Would you know if the SWR is adjustable?
Just to give you a scenario, six of us went for ride on Sunday, three of us have the Infotainment system. The last bike in line couldn't be understood by the first bike...maybe 200' ahead. I'm in the middle and the static was so bad I had to turn it off. It was useless. Thanks!
Would you know if the SWR is adjustable?
Just to give you a scenario, six of us went for ride on Sunday, three of us have the Infotainment system. The last bike in line couldn't be understood by the first bike...maybe 200' ahead. I'm in the middle and the static was so bad I had to turn it off. It was useless. Thanks!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 249
Likes: 46
From: Palm Coast, Florida
Sounds like the problem I had with static while moving. Sitting still it worked fine. I Replaced the Antenna with the Shorty HD Antenna and the CB has worked like a champ since the antenna replacement.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 587
From: Michigan
In the upgrade kit I mentioned in the previous post there were a set of ground straps that I also replaced. The same problem still exists. I been in touch with the supplier to let them know of problem. They haven't come up with a solution as yet. As you said, to replace the antenna, that would be the next step. This should be a warranty replacement.
Would you know if the SWR is adjustable?
Just to give you a scenario, six of us went for ride on Sunday, three of us have the Infotainment system. The last bike in line couldn't be understood by the first bike...maybe 200' ahead. I'm in the middle and the static was so bad I had to turn it off. It was useless. Thanks!
Would you know if the SWR is adjustable?
Just to give you a scenario, six of us went for ride on Sunday, three of us have the Infotainment system. The last bike in line couldn't be understood by the first bike...maybe 200' ahead. I'm in the middle and the static was so bad I had to turn it off. It was useless. Thanks!
I can tell you from personal experience the OEM CB antenna can't be tuned. I tried & went through 2 OEM antennas trying. As built by H-D, the factory set-up has an SWR of greater than 5:1. The entire system is a kludge of mis-matched parts and carry-overs w/o any factory effort to optimize system performance (I know this because I have personally met & discussed these issues with the H-D employee who claimed to be the Rushmore Project electrical lead engineer). Using an antenna analyzer, my buddy & I determined the OEM antenna system has a resonant frequency well below 25 Mhz (CB Band is 26.965~ 27.405 Mhz), so shortening the stock antenna should have worked but didn't.
The replacement antenna will give you an SWR below 3:1 (I've looked at 3 systems, all were @ 2.8:1 SWR, which is significant. Knowing the issues with the rest of the antenna system, I concluded it worked well enough.
As far as your static situation is concerned:
- Do you have static w/o engine running? If yes, it may be atmospheric interference or a poor antenna/coax connection. May need to remove the fairing to make sure coax is tight at the CB module.
- If the static is only when the engine is running, you have a bad ground somewhere. May need to remove the fairing to make sure the CB module is attached/mounted securely and all ground wires inside the fairing are tight & not corroded (as well as the rest of the bike wiring).
Good luck!
Last edited by Hammz; Jul 4, 2016 at 03:46 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Bridgeport,PA
WOW!!! That was some great info. I'm going to pick up a Boom CB antenna at the dealer. Now why couldn't they tell me this when I asked them to address the problem two weeks ago. Instead they said there was nothing wrong that I had the squelch to high. I knew better than that.
I'll keep you posted on the results. I may have to order it but that's going to be OK. Thanks Again.
I'll keep you posted on the results. I may have to order it but that's going to be OK. Thanks Again.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,806
Likes: 281
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Have you check all the connection behind the passenger seat unplug and clean and plug it again and 2nd thing could be bad antenna try using CB while bikes are parked not running if no static try wiggling the antenna while using CB if still no static then run the bikes and try if static you've some other loose electrical issue. Had that issue with my wife's Low swapped CB module between the bikes no help unplug few other things no help finally figured out it was the damn antenna.