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Sirius XM Keeps Dropping with Hidden Antenna

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Old Jul 4, 2022 | 12:29 PM
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Default Sirius XM Keeps Dropping with Hidden Antenna

Hi, perhaps it's just a bad setup. Any advice on how to improve the reception would be appreciated. I have a 21 Street Glide Special. Hidden Antenna with Sirius XM. The signal keeps dropping out, even when there are no obstructions. I've tried resetting the signal from Sirius XM with little improvement.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2022 | 01:01 PM
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Just relocate it to the top outside of the fairing, behind the windshield, right of the vent and you will be very happy. It works very well when outside the fairing and doesn’t look bad either.

I took a dremel and cut a very grove in the outside edge of the vent plastic for the cable so it did not get pinched between the windshield.

 

Last edited by Cosmic Razorback; Jul 4, 2022 at 01:03 PM.
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Old Jul 4, 2022 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Cosmic Razorback
Just relocate it to the top outside of the fairing, behind the windshield, right of the vent and you will be very happy. It works very well when outside the fairing and doesn’t look bad either.

I took a dremel and cut a very grove in the outside edge of the vent plastic for the cable so it did not get pinched between the windshield.
I going to install the module soon, and was curious if the HD supplied antenna will reach to mount it on top of the fairing? In the pictures of the module, the cord on the antenna doesn't look that long.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2022 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by cyclone65
I going to install the module soon, and was curious if the HD supplied antenna will reach to mount it on top of the fairing? In the pictures of the module, the cord on the antenna doesn't look that long.

My stock unit that came on a 2017 CVO had plenty of cable length. You should be good.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2022 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by livetoride2112
Hi, perhaps it's just a bad setup. Any advice on how to improve the reception would be appreciated. I have a 21 Street Glide Special. Hidden Antenna with Sirius XM. The signal keeps dropping out, even when there are no obstructions.
If you have a "hidden" antenna, there is an obstruction.

Originally Posted by Cosmic Razorback
Just relocate it to the top outside of the fairing, behind the windshield, right of the vent and you will be very happy. It works very well when outside the fairing and doesn’t look bad either.


Mine is located like this, and I have no issues with reception.

I say no issues, but of course if you block the signal you will still lose reception.
Even holding your hand over the top of the antenna will cause a loss of signal.
Trees don't usually cause much of an issue, but I still can lose reception under certain conditions (riding through a tunnel, or anything blocking the "line of sight" to the satellite.
The satellite orbit is pretty low in the sky, so even a tall building on your south side can cause issues.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2022 | 02:34 PM
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I built me a little aluminum bracket for the one on my 14 Tri Glide, works better but I still lose signal in heavily wooded areas.


 
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Old Jul 5, 2022 | 04:52 AM
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@Cosmic Razorback has this nailed down. I also had trouble with the antenna 'puck' getting enough reception when I had it hidden. Moving it to the ledge behind the windshield and right of the vent solved the problem.

I also recall learning another thing. If you have the H-D WHIM installed for use with in-helmet headsets, there's a high likelihood of interference with XM reception IF you place the antenna puck near the WHIM device. I did extensive troubleshooting to figure this out. I got good XM reception until I powered up my SENA 20S EVO headset, and then would instantly lose XM. Moving the XM puck away from WHIM proximity stopped that from happening.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2022 | 05:05 AM
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Here is a picture of the antenna relocated on my ‘19 SG. No reception issues at all.



 
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Old Jul 5, 2022 | 06:27 AM
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I mounted mine like I did so I could retain my 3 pouch bag. I wear Rx glasses and sunglasses and want quick access. Plus other ****
 
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Old Jul 5, 2022 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by livetoride2112
Hi, perhaps it's just a bad setup. Any advice on how to improve the reception would be appreciated. I have a 21 Street Glide Special. Hidden Antenna with Sirius XM. The signal keeps dropping out, even when there are no obstructions. I've tried resetting the signal from Sirius XM with little improvement.
Your obstuction is that its inside the fairing>
 
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