Antenna cable problems

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Mar 7, 2013 | 05:29 PM

kennyross

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 123

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From: Long Island

Antenna cable problems

I have a 2008 electric glide classic with little or no FM reception. I think my antenna cable has gone bad. I cannot get any ohm reading. I tested an old car antenna and the ohm meter went to zero with no problems. Has anyone had an antenna cable go bad on there motorcycle. I thought it was my radio I sent it to iron Cross audio and they said my radio is fine. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks

Mar 7, 2013 | 05:36 PM

leon anthony

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,374

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From: Felton Calif

kenny do you still have the 08 antenna or did you change it for the 09 and up shorter ones they work great but they can break down in therubber base I have had two of them go bad I thoiught it was my raido also but is was the antenna If you have the newer ones try just moving the antenna around from the bas of it with the raido on

Mar 7, 2013 | 05:38 PM

Gliden

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 5,323

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From: NJ

You did check the part under the antenna where it connects in the rear and screws onto the actual antenna right?

That gets loose and may not be shoved deep enough into the antenna itself and screwed tight.

Mar 7, 2013 | 05:46 PM

Lowcountry Joe

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC

Sure, the cable can be damaged. Where are you checking for continuity?

Mar 7, 2013 | 06:08 PM

kennyross

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 123

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From: Long Island

From antenna mast to the tip that plugs into the back of the radio.
Where should I check it from.

Last edited by kennyross; Mar 7, 2013 at 06:12 PM.

Mar 7, 2013 | 06:20 PM

TXWARLOCK

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 43

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From: Home Of The Alamo

I had a bad antenna cable about a year ago. Replaced under waranty.

HD service manager had never heard of one going bad before.

Mar 7, 2013 | 06:32 PM

Lowcountry Joe

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 4,928

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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyross

From antenna mast to the tip that plugs into the back of the radio.
Where should I check it from.

Remove the cable from the rear of the HK radio. Remove the cable from where it attaches to the external antenna in the tour pak.

You should be checking continuity of the center conductor of the cable and between the shield of the cable and the ground of the bike. If you do not get any continuity when you check for it on either end of the center conductor of the antenna cable, then it's broke. You need to replace it. If you get conduction between the center conductor and the shield of the cable, then it's mashed and shorted somewhere, still need to replace it.

Buy a new one, then plug it into the back of the radio, run it to the tour pack and plug it in back there and see how the radio works. I recommend you do this before routing it through the bike just to ensure that the new cable will fix your problem.