cutting antenas
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 117
From: Southeast NC
cutting antenas
anybody ever cut down there antennas. if so will the plastic end pieces come off to put back on after cutting. i hate those long a** antennas. i dont really like the shorty ones sold in the HD catalog
Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: Madison, AL
I read a thread recently that covered this topic in some detail. A bunch of folks cut their antennas but they cut them from the bottom. Based on reviews here I went with the J&M hidden antenna. Prefer the cleaner look on the rear.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 305
Likes: 4
From: Kansas City
True that. If you have an swr meter you can eyeball it. The swr works in a phase so chopping could throw it way off, a few millimeters down could put it right back. It's all in the length. The scary thing is, you can make a good cb antenna out of lawn chairs with the right swr rating once done.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I went to AutoZone or O'Rielleys and bought a replacement antenna for abour $12.... it is 16-17" long and fit well in place of stock. Still have good reception and it does look better. If I felt like it, I would consider the hidden antenna. But for now, this works. Then you'll always have the stock antenna just in case.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 248
From: Sterling IL.
Did my radio antenna on 2013 egc. Fixed at base so have to cut top side. Heat plastic end to remove. Made mine length of autozone shorty. Use dremel as its fiberglass coated. Ream plastic tip out some to get tight fit on new end as its now larger diameter tip
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the length of an antenna is calculated for the frequency range of the radio band.
random lengths give random results.
IF you really want to cut the antenna ( solid rod type, no loading coils or "wire wrap")- cut it in 1/2 or 1/4 so that it will still be harmonically related to the freq. band.
there are calculators online which will give optimum length antennas for each frequency-
antennas work best perpendicular to the earth, and with a ground plane- such as the hood of a car- or that flat steel sheet in the base of a tourpak.
or go to pepboys and drop $12 on a rubber stubby
mike
random lengths give random results.
IF you really want to cut the antenna ( solid rod type, no loading coils or "wire wrap")- cut it in 1/2 or 1/4 so that it will still be harmonically related to the freq. band.
there are calculators online which will give optimum length antennas for each frequency-
antennas work best perpendicular to the earth, and with a ground plane- such as the hood of a car- or that flat steel sheet in the base of a tourpak.
or go to pepboys and drop $12 on a rubber stubby
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jul 3, 2014 at 11:58 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 117
From: Southeast NC
i never use my cb and prob never will. cell phone age. yeah, i know i could b stuck were no signal. I bought some short antennas that go on satellite radio for a car and they work good but they are rock solid on the tour pack and if someone hits one it will crack the plastic off the tour pack thats why i was wondering if i could just cut down the stock antennas.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
I just went to Auto Zone and bought a short antenna for $6.95........looks great......and I don't kick it every time I get on/off the bike.