Short or Stock Antenna?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 32
From: Houston, Texas
I went though 7 pages of forums under the touring section, and I find it hard to believe that nobody talked about antennas. I am sure I missed something, or looked in the wrong place.
I have a 2007 Ultra Classic and I am considering putting on a pair of short antennas from J&M, because they look nice.
They say that with these, you get "a slight reception distance loss on AM or FM, compared to the stock antennas, may be experienced, because of the significant reduction in overall antenna length". I already get bad radio reception, and VERY crappy CB reception. I guess we are supossed to listen to the radio or talk to truckers on the highway? I know Harley probably meant for us to us the CB to talk to other bikers in our group, within close range.
So, with that said, I always listen to a CD, and use the intercom to talk to my wife on the back. That is the reason I considered putting the shorty antennas on, because I really don't use them. I might use them if there was a good short antenna, and maybe some sort of booster I could put on them.
I have a 2007 Ultra Classic and I am considering putting on a pair of short antennas from J&M, because they look nice.
They say that with these, you get "a slight reception distance loss on AM or FM, compared to the stock antennas, may be experienced, because of the significant reduction in overall antenna length". I already get bad radio reception, and VERY crappy CB reception. I guess we are supossed to listen to the radio or talk to truckers on the highway? I know Harley probably meant for us to us the CB to talk to other bikers in our group, within close range. So, with that said, I always listen to a CD, and use the intercom to talk to my wife on the back. That is the reason I considered putting the shorty antennas on, because I really don't use them. I might use them if there was a good short antenna, and maybe some sort of booster I could put on them.
Personal experience: Had the J&M shorties -- hated them. Despite what owner of the company said, they were NOT as good as stock, but rather cut reception about 1/2. I sold them to another member here, after full disclosure, because he wanted shorties and didn't use the radio much.
Within the past 4-5 months, with the HD shorties becoming available, I again took the chance at improving the look without compromising the radio quality. BINGO! The CB antenna works just as well as the stock, and the reception on the AM/FM is equally as good. Now the bike looks good and I still get the transmission/reception I had wanted.
Just my $.02, but you can't go wrong with the HDs.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Don't cheap out, get the HD shorties. Order online from Zanotti's and get both for under $48. 76388-08 & 76386-08 for an '07. That's what I did. Hmmm I need to get myself a new avatar too, seems alot of people have STOLEN it.
Last edited by ezriderpgh; Jan 31, 2009 at 11:52 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
Benn thinking about shorter ones, too. but I do get good receoption, and I use my radio a lot because we have some great commercial free rock stations here. I do think about the short ones when I put it in the bike barn though but I do what I do, hook 'em on the sadddlebags
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