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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 10:25 AM
  #1  
glider69's Avatar
glider69
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From: potsdam, ny
Default powered antenna

I was just wondering if anyone else doesn't get good reception with there powered antenna mounted inside the fairing. I just put a cheaper one in from advanced auto. Im wondering if the dakota digital or any others are worth the money and if there's a better spot for mounting that will help too. Thanks in advance
 
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 10:46 AM
  #2  
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
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a powered antenna will amplify radio signal and noise equally.

so if you are trying to hear music through a bunch of static a powered antenna will not help with that.

true:

antennas work best when perpendicular to the ground

antenna length tunes the antenna for the frequency range- "cutting" an antenna de-tunes it.

you may find that a rubber stubby is concealed enough.


that is what I have ended up with after testing many systems on multiple bikes over the years, am, wb and fm.



with the tourpak on I can still use the stubby or use a full length stock style antenna


mike
 
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:33 AM
  #3  
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Hughey79
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From: Des Moines, IA
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I tried the shorty antenna and then switch to the powered one inside the fairing. However I did not want to purchase Harley's version due to cost. I see now they have a newer version even but its still too pricey for me.

So what I did after some research on here was to go to O'Reilly auto parts store or the like and bought the same thing but its made by Metra I think. Works the exact same and cost me a whopping $17 something.

It has worked as good as can be for a hidden antenna. Nothing is going to be as strong as the stock whip though. Local radio is perfect but out in the open country it gets weaker.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Hughey79
I tried the shorty antenna and then switch to the powered one inside the fairing. However I did not want to purchase Harley's version due to cost. I see now they have a newer version even but its still too pricey for me.

So what I did after some research on here was to go to O'Reilly auto parts store or the like and bought the same thing but its made by Metra I think. Works the exact same and cost me a whopping $17 something.

It has worked as good as can be for a hidden antenna. Nothing is going to be as strong as the stock whip though. Local radio is perfect but out in the open country it gets weaker.
Ditto for me with the Metra. Easy to install as there are two unused wires
(hot and ground) in the wiring harness near the headlight.
 
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