Antenna mount help
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,802
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From: Cincinnati OH.
Antenna mount help
Need help figuring out an antenna mount. Removed my tour pack . Hooked up a rubber shorty ( vertical ) inside the fairing. It kinda sucks. I'd like to move it to the rear, just not sure what to use for a mount that will look decent. What might be the best location? Fender strut, or fender brace? I have a kit, like the one in the pic, is this ok or should I start over?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
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From: Georgia
I dont see a way to mount that antenna and have it look nice. I suspose you could make or buy an l bracket and mount it to the bar the license plate is mounted to.
Here's something that might work as well without quite so much hardware showing.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ROADPRO-28...&wl13=&veh=sem
And there are always the dipole hidden ones but you can never really expect much from them, even the amplified ones.
Here's something that might work as well without quite so much hardware showing.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ROADPRO-28...&wl13=&veh=sem
And there are always the dipole hidden ones but you can never really expect much from them, even the amplified ones.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
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From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
If you want to start over you might consider something like this. I have it taped to the inside of my fairing. Actually I'm using 2 and run them together into a "Y" adapter then to the radio. They work much better than the "T" type flex antenna that the guy I bought the bike from had in there before.
I am in a heavily populated area with a lot of airwaves and find that these work better than others I've tried. I think your location and local terrain will play a big part in any antenna's ability to bring in good reception.
I am in a heavily populated area with a lot of airwaves and find that these work better than others I've tried. I think your location and local terrain will play a big part in any antenna's ability to bring in good reception.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Cincinnati OH.
Almost there
Fabbed up my own bracket today. Antenna is mounted. Still have to make the switch in the fairing. Might just pick up an adapter and use both antennas. Any real benefit using two? If it's a " can't hurt " situation, I'll use both.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 111
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From: McDonough,Ga.
- There's a utube video that shows how to reroute along the frame and under the seat, completely hidden. I would have done that,but I already did the inside the fairing thing. It works but not great.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Cincinnati OH.
Is Two better than One ?
I don't really mind that the antenna is out in the open, as long as it works good.
The question of the day is - are two antennas better than one? Or should I not bother? I should say, two mast antennas, one on the back and one in the fairing.
The question of the day is - are two antennas better than one? Or should I not bother? I should say, two mast antennas, one on the back and one in the fairing.
Last edited by Cozz; Jul 31, 2016 at 08:50 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Eastern NE
It depends on the antenna characteristics. The one you chose might work great on it's own so I'd give it a try.
I started w/HD shorty and then upgraded to HD hidden...sucked a$$. Ended up geting a Y-cable and patching the hidden with one similar to yours (both under fairing). Now it works quite well.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Georgia
Oh, and your install looks way better than anything I envisioned.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Cincinnati OH.
Bad antenna lead
Hooked up the new rear antenna and it's as if there's no antenna. Plugged in the rubber antenna that was inside the fairing, only outside of the fairing this time and the radio plays great. All I can figure is the original antenna wire from the radio to under the seat has gone bad. Engine heat maybe? Old age? Never heard of one going bad before.