Poor Radio Reception - Thoughts?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 860
Likes: 28
From: southbury connecticut
the stock antenna is tuned to your radio and works best , don`t cut it either or it wont work good, harley does make a tuned short wire antenna it`s stock on the s.e ultra i forget what year i think 05, not the harley flex shorty that is junk but the wire one it looks just like stock but shorter .
Stage II
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: McGregor,Ontario,Canada
Well I found the problem to my lack of radio reception. I was taking a walk around the rear of bike when the lights were on I noticed that the tri-bar light wasn't working hm? So I took off the saddlebag to discover a wiring harness that was not properly fastened after the dealer put on the relocation kit 
. Which in turn was shredded by the rear wheel. So off to the dealer I go, they also found the antenna coax to be damaged. All fixed up, got tunes now
. Which in turn was shredded by the rear wheel. So off to the dealer I go, they also found the antenna coax to be damaged. All fixed up, got tunes now
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
I have the stock HK and whip.I can get plenty of stations,reception is not an issue.I would have to agree with Tech on bad tuners.When the volume is turned up on FM,I can hear more distortion compared to playing the CD.Or is this normal?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Ok I just finished installing the relocate antenna that bolts down at the bottom of the saddle bag, but I installed it on the inside instead of the outside. The antenna comes up in between the bag the bike (hidden well) and I have good reception without any distortion from the Arc Amp. I bought the shorty rubber antenna from HD, tried it then put the whip in there. I cut the whip off to the same lenth as the rubber and it gets better reception.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Renton, WA
It's also worth checking the connectors on your gauges throughout... I starting getting poor radio performance at about the same time I noticed an odd rattle in the fairing. Took it in under warranty and the tech said the air temp gauge connector wasn't fully seated - plugged it in completely and sealed it and now it works just as bad as it did from day 1.
I figure its a huge hunk of shaking and vibrating metal, and a tuner can only be shielded so much.
I listen to CD's anyway - occasionally the AM radio broadcast of a game that I'm sitting in traffic on my way to.
I figure its a huge hunk of shaking and vibrating metal, and a tuner can only be shielded so much.
I listen to CD's anyway - occasionally the AM radio broadcast of a game that I'm sitting in traffic on my way to.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,875
Likes: 32,913
From: King George, VA
I bought a HogTenna which has a built in amplifier on E-bay and it wouldn't pick up AM signals worth a darn. The advertising said otherwise. I contacted them for advice and they couldn't provide any. I told them I wanted a refund. They said only exchanges but their add said nothing about that.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
tech that is good information from the horses mouth, thanks. anyone know if the shorter antennas that harley sells are worth using? i hate lookin like a remote control harley while goin down the road.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Now on ther other hand.I was given a short rubber antenna,so I gave it a try.That thing really sucked.Dont know what brand.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA