Post by: Road Runner on October 31, 2013, 11:49:06 AM
In my 2013 FLHTCUSE8, the SAT antenna was placed up high above any obstructions inside the housing and had a clear line of reception to the SAT signal; thus, I had "zero" issues with the SAT radio reception in that bike - no matter which direction I traveled. Did not expect such lousy reception in the new 2014 model.
I'm going to get with my tech and see about moving the SAT antenna out away from the obstructed location and out into the open under the fairing and see if that improves reception strength and alleviates the "direction" factor in order to listen to the SAT radio.
Will follow-up with the results after the antenna gets moved.
Post by: AMEDD_SFC on October 31, 2013, 12:59:46 PM
Lets us know how it goes. I will definitely have the techs try the fix if it works.
I still get directional fading even though the reception seems better after activating the trial/subscription.
Regards,
Mark
Post by: tpcrawford on October 31, 2013, 03:16:48 PM
-Tim
Post by: GC_Super on November 01, 2013, 07:34:22 AM
Post by: OBB on November 02, 2013, 06:44:36 AM
Post by: Road Runner on November 03, 2013, 01:05:36 AM
Removed the outer shell of the fairing and low and behold, there was the SAT antenna tucked up in the upper right corner (RED circle) - nicely blocked by the gas gauge, plastic and wiring. The XM module is installed within the 6.5 unit (WHITE rectangle). No wonder the reception was so lousy depending on direction of travel. Wonder what genius came up with the placement for the antenna inside the housing because they sure didn't consider signal reception. I relocated the SAT antenna so it is out front (YELLOW box) and not blocked by anything thick enough to degrade the signal. Checked the relocation last night and all day today and it worked great! Strong signal in all directions and no more dropped signal in the wide open as was occurring before the relocation.
The SAT antenna has a magnetic base. I used a "U-shaped" bracket made of light steel and mounted it to the large mounting bolt that holds the GPC module to the main bracket that holds the 6.5 unit. I mounted the bracket and ensured the SAT antenna did not protrude higher than the wiring bundle that goes across the top of the amplifier. Reassembled the fairing and tested it last night. What a difference simply relocating the antenna made. See pic.
Hope this can help others who are experiencing reception/signal strength issues with their SiriusXM radio in their new 2014 CVO Limited.
Post by: OBB on November 03, 2013, 08:50:26 AM
Post by: Road Runner on November 03, 2013, 01:00:27 PM
Post by: OBB on November 03, 2013, 03:25:43 PM
Ohiobellboy... a friend of mine has a RG and we've had his fairing off several times to install upgraded sound components and scope out where the XM module and antenna I sold him would be installed. The mounting bracket sticks the SAT antenna in a less than optimal place under the fairing (see attached document) versus where it gets placed in the Ultras. Relocation of the SAT antenna out toward the front and away from the internal obstructions should resolve reception problems. Hope this helps.Downloaded and saved for future reference. TY sir. :2vrolijk_21:
Post by: Twolanerider on November 03, 2013, 06:17:56 PM
Post by: iski on November 03, 2013, 07:54:37 PM
Post by: Road Runner on November 03, 2013, 08:05:12 PM
I'm no comm expert, but I do know that once I moved the antenna out front of everything and away from direct obstructions inside the fairing, my signal strength improved drastically. More importantly... the improved reception made my wife VERY happy on our ride the next day since she enjoys listening to XM as much as I do, and if the "boss" is happy - I'm happy. :pineapple: :pepper: :orange: :bananarock:
Post by: Twolanerider on November 03, 2013, 08:12:45 PM
If you move the antenna to the outside of the fairing, reception improvement will be much greater than any position inside the fairing.
Best luck I've ever had was with it two-sided taped right on top of my helmet. If I hold the left arm just right while putting tongue behind right side molars it's also better. But just a little bit.
Post by: Twolanerider on November 03, 2013, 08:13:34 PM
You'd think that direction of travel would make no difference, but it did. Can't readily explain it, but perhaps the azimuth and elevation of the SAT transmitting the XM signal play a big part in strength and reception. I know that thick trees can block reception.
I'm no comm expert, but I do know that once I moved the antenna out front of everything and away from direct obstructions inside the fairing, my signal strength improved drastically. More importantly... the improved reception made my wife VERY happy on our ride the next day since she enjoys listening to XM as much as I do, and if the "boss" is happy - I'm happy. :pineapple: :pepper: :orange: :bananarock:
There's the important detail of the entire episode. Ride on :drink: !
Post by: Road Runner on November 03, 2013, 08:22:08 PM
There's the important detail of the entire episode. Ride on :drink: !
Absolutely!
If my relocation didn't work, I was going to go with a hangar wrapped in tin foil mounted to the back luggage rack. :coolblue:
Ride safe! Cheers! :2vrolijk_09:
Post by: OBB on November 03, 2013, 09:05:04 PM
Absolutely!HD makes a set of those.....
If my relocation didn't work, I was going to go with a hangar wrapped in tin foil mounted to the back luggage rack. :coolblue:
Ride safe! Cheers! :2vrolijk_09:
Post by: iski on November 03, 2013, 09:17:31 PM
Best luck I've ever had was with it two-sided taped right on top of my helmet. If I hold the left arm just right while putting tongue behind right side molars it's also better. But just a little bit.
Your method worked when my fillings were metallic. My dentist
Post by: Twolanerider on November 03, 2013, 09:27:33 PM
Your method worked when my fillings were metallic. My dentistwanted a new Mercedesreplaced them with dental unobtanium, a very poor conductor. Now channels 1-55 are punk polka music & 56-99 are mostly Slim Whitman's greatest hits as a result. If I hold the antenna in my hand, toward Nashville, the Harley Davidson Infotainment® Twindynamic® BOOM!® Yodelizer® creates favorable optimization in all Whitman receptions.
Slim Whitman was a commie spy.
Post by: iski on November 04, 2013, 08:12:38 AM
Slim Whitman was a commie spy.
Sorry for the delay in my response I found channel 100 something on the XM/Sirius/Cuisinart & was distracted. When he rode that atomic bomb in Dr. Strangelove, obviously he had a very high security clearance.
Was he a double agent?
Post by: Twolanerider on November 04, 2013, 10:40:23 AM
Sorry for the delay in my response I found channel 100 something on the XM/Sirius/Cuisinart & was distracted. When he rode that atomic bomb in Dr. Strangelove, obviously he had a very high security clearance.
Was he a double agent?
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO. That was Slim Pickens not Slim Whitman. Major Kong was NOT a commie spy. Major Kong was a Nuclear American!
Post by: iski on November 04, 2013, 03:09:49 PM
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO. That was Slim Pickens not Slim Whitman. Major Kong was NOT a commie spy. Major Kong was a Nuclear American!
Am glad you cleared that up. Since they shared the same first name I thought they might be double agent brothers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FhQxZnSqc0
Whitman saved us from the Martians a few years ago.
(http://mimg.ugo.com/201104/9/6/4/185469/cuts/ride-bomb_528_poster.jpg)
Not Major Kong.
Post by: scottt on November 15, 2013, 09:53:45 AM
Crazy idea?
Scott
Post by: gadgetz on November 15, 2013, 10:53:50 AM
Who needs the distraction of a decent sound system that would interfere with us talking to all our friends from our mobile phone while riding. LMAO :huepfenjump3:
Post by: scottt on November 15, 2013, 12:47:00 PM
Post by: Rooster on November 15, 2013, 01:37:23 PM
Absolutely!We will need pics of course. :huepfenlol2:
If my relocation didn't work, I was going to go with a hangar wrapped in tin foil mounted to the back luggage rack. :coolblue:
Ride safe! Cheers! :2vrolijk_09:
Post by: Road Runner on November 15, 2013, 03:12:51 PM
I have a crazy Idea! someone should design a XM satellite antenna that would fit and actually blend in on the 2014 touring model fairing vent. build a new vent with the antenna actually molded in. The best spot would be the middle support in the vent, it may be a bit thicker but I think that would be just fine.
Crazy idea?
Scott
Hey Scott... actually your idea would work well if HD cut back the front edge of the center support just a little to allow for the small XM anntenna to sit out front and then run the wire back through a very small hole in the support. They're both flat black and the small antenna wouldn't negatively affect the airflow. Have to check with local HD dealer to be on the lookout for a damaged fairing in the future they'd sell me to experiment with. Good idea! :2vrolijk_21:
Post by: scottt on November 15, 2013, 05:44:08 PM
Post by: SE-5 on November 20, 2013, 05:35:04 PM
Post by: FLHTCUSE7 on May 26, 2014, 12:21:04 PM
Post by: FLHTCUSE7 on May 29, 2014, 03:45:32 PM
Post by: Yzernie on May 30, 2014, 03:01:17 PM
Rotarywing, do you have a 14 Limited CVO? How hard is it to get the outside fairing off and on?
Post by: Mr. Warlock on May 30, 2014, 05:33:45 PM
Have to take off the aux lights or at least remove the bottom screw and loosen the top and then they will swing back enough to remove the fairing. (if you remove them all together don't forget to unplug them while you remove the bolts, thin and fragile wires for these)
loosen and remove the windshield bolts, remove the windshield, put the center bolt back in loosely.
Remove the 4 screws on the inner fairing that hold the outer (4 black screws) now the the only thing holding it on is the center windshield screw.
Left hand under headlight and remove the center windshield screw with your right. Pull the top of the outer fairing away from the inner with your right hand and while balancing on your left hand reach in behind and unplug the headlight and your done.
Post by: FLHTCUSE7 on May 30, 2014, 05:51:24 PM
The whole job took less than 15 minutes. 3 screws in front of the windshield then two on each side around the speaker that totals 7 screws. Takes less than 2 minutes to get the fairing off. No need to remove or tilt the aux-lights, fairing comes of with them attached, just like it did with the old style.
Then locate the small antenna under the gas gauge. (Left gauge) its sits on a bracket with magnetic force. Cut the cable strap and move the antenna. I went to Menards and got a steel L-bracket for 0.64 cents, drilled a whole in it and attached it to an existing bolt. Then put the fairing back on. Works perfect now, has not lost reception one time since this.
I did find the instruction's on here from "Roadrunner". Go to his post #5 in this thread, he has a great picture there on how he did it. I just copied his solution.
On mine it cuts out frequently as well but mostly when I am traveling north and northwest. The antenna change sounds like what I need to do.
Rotarywing, do you have a 14 Limited CVO? How hard is it to get the outside fairing off and on?
Post by: Mr. Warlock on May 31, 2014, 05:24:28 AM
Post by: WFP on May 31, 2014, 05:58:51 AM
I guess if you need to do it in 1.5 seconds or less then you can leave the aux. lights intact. I would rather spend the extra 1 minute and have them out of the way and not take the chance of rubbing on the clear coat. It's much more comfortable getting the fairing off with them out of the way. Why is it always about how fast it can be done? this kind of stuff is enjoyable to me and only in a hurry when I have to be.
Post by: FLHTCUSE7 on May 31, 2014, 08:36:48 AM
I throw a pair of socks over the Aux Lights when removing the Fairing...no scratching.
Post by: SBB on May 31, 2014, 09:53:30 AM
I throw a pair of socks over the Aux Lights when removing the Fairing...no scratching.
Bill, I bought my first Electra Glide in 1988.
Socks have worked great for 26 years. (but not the same ones ::))
Fast and easy means more time to ride.
:2vrolijk_21:
SBB
Post by: Mr. Warlock on May 31, 2014, 10:05:23 AM
Fast and easy means more time to ride.
:2vrolijk_21:
I'll go along with that Chip!! :2vrolijk_21: :2vrolijk_21:
The socks actually sound great and considering I have finally decided to quit snowmobiling I have the perfect pair (they are now tools, lol)
Post by: SBB on May 31, 2014, 11:11:20 AM
Fast and easy means more time to ride.
:2vrolijk_21:
I'll go along with that Chip!! :2vrolijk_21: :2vrolijk_21:
The socks actually sound great and considering I have finally decided to quit snowmobiling I have the perfect pair (they are now tools, lol)
So will we get to see you in Maggie Valley?
If you can't come just send down that good looking bike!
;)
SBB
Post by: Fired00d on May 31, 2014, 01:14:17 PM
Bill, I bought my first Electra Glide in 1988.Thank goodness!!!! ;) :D I too use the sock method... a trick I learned from CVOHarley.com. :2vrolijk_21:
Socks have worked great for 26 years. (but not the same ones ::))
Fast and easy means more time to ride.
:2vrolijk_21:
SBB
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
Post by: bissjim on May 31, 2014, 04:07:14 PM
The satellites are above the equator and west of the middle of the country. So traveling North in the north country will reduce the signal. The direction of travel and your location will determine if the antenna is getting the max signal or not. Hiding the antenna from a good line of sight will be detrimental to good reception.
Jim@hdbomm.com
Post by: Larry P. on June 11, 2014, 09:02:08 PM
Post by: OBB on June 11, 2014, 10:05:30 PM
I tried moving the antenna as Road Runner suggested for the sat radio and it improved the reception a little but I still lose the signal. My 2014 Ford explorer has sat radio and doesn't lose the signal at all.I bet it also has an external antenna.
Post by: Larry P. on June 12, 2014, 09:43:15 PM
Post by: phato1 on June 13, 2014, 10:35:25 AM
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Post by: Dr.D on June 16, 2014, 10:38:43 AM
Post by: CVORick on June 21, 2014, 04:21:23 PM
Post by: Orangekrate on June 26, 2014, 11:25:31 AM
I'll let you know.
Post by: Boatman on July 31, 2014, 08:57:53 PM
Post by: Orangekrate on August 01, 2014, 10:45:14 AM
Post by: gadgetz on August 01, 2014, 12:54:44 PM
Post by: Orangekrate on August 01, 2014, 01:01:52 PM
Post by: hdctss on August 06, 2014, 07:55:52 PM
Post by: CreeseHD on August 09, 2014, 03:01:59 PM
Bought a new CVO Limited a little over a week ago and the only issue I'm experiencing is with the SAT radio reception. The signal strength and reception quality shifts depending on my direction of travel and I think I may have found the culprit... poor placement of the SAT antenna. A friend of mine provided me the XM module install instructions from HDMC (see attached) and as it's depicted on the second page, the SAT antenna gets tucked up near the back wall area of the fairing housing and next to some sort of housing/obstruction. In fact, it looks like it sits behind a bundle of electrical wiring that appears to run directly in front of where the antenna would sit.
In my 2013 FLHTCUSE8, the SAT antenna was placed up high above any obstructions inside the housing and had a clear line of reception to the SAT signal; thus, I had "zero" issues with the SAT radio reception in that bike - no matter which direction I traveled. Did not expect such lousy reception in the new 2014 model.
I'm going to get with my tech and see about moving the SAT antenna out away from the obstructed location and out into the open under the fairing and see if that improves reception strength and alleviates the "direction" factor in order to listen to the SAT radio.
Will follow-up with the results after the antenna gets moved.
I followed your instructions word for word and pic for pic on my 14 CVO Limited. It works flawlessly. Yes you have your sitting under an overpass outage, but I have that in my car. You help mark a huge frustration off my list!
I'm a lady and it took me 5 minutes to get the fairing off with putting a pair of fuzzy winter house socks over the aux lights, and less than 10 minutes to get it lined up and on again once the relocation was complete. I did in the meantime spend 2 hours going to Lowes, home Depot and 4 other local hardware stores looking for the proper bracket. That was a joke. I was so frustrated I prayed... lol Then, I look at your pic again and (no joke) God showed me that it was literally a window shade bracket that you would use when installing window treatments in your home. I went back to home Depot, went to the window coverings section. I asked if they sold them separately, they said no, but they had a bucket full of window shade parts and pick what I needed for free. Boom! There it was! The U shaped bracket is only about an inch squared. I use a magnet in their department to make sure it was really metal; it was! I was out of there and home again. 10 mins later I was on a ride down my neighborhood tree lined street with signal!
I would have taken a pic, but mine now looks exactly like yours! Road Runner, thanks again for the great write-up! : ;D :orange: :huepfenjump3: :mango: :bananarock: :apple: :jalapeno:
Post by: Boatman on August 09, 2014, 04:52:57 PM
Post by: Boatman on August 14, 2014, 09:08:07 AM
stock location-poor reception.
relocate xm antenna under faring as described in this thread-poor reception.
relocate xm antenna to top of fairing by vent button-great reception.
FWIW
Post by: tpb857 on August 15, 2014, 06:28:51 AM
My results of XM antenna location(s), your results may vary.
stock location-poor reception.
relocate xm antenna under faring as described in this thread-poor reception.
relocate xm antenna to top of fairing by vent button-great reception.
FWIW
I've tried the relocation within the fairing also with no improvement. I will relocate the antenna next to the vent.
Post by: MGCVO on August 19, 2014, 03:43:38 PM
Thanks to all for the info from this site, I can now enjoy listening to Howard Stern.
Post by: CVORick on August 19, 2014, 06:32:48 PM
If you want good , continuous reception put a GOOD external antenna on the XM unit. Ugly? Maybe, but you will have "perfect" reception. >:( :beatdeadhorse:
Post by: gadgetz on August 19, 2014, 07:39:43 PM
Relocated the antenna this past weekend and it makes a world of difference on the outside of the fairing, FYI these antennas are very sensitive, for example: sitting in the driveway I would have 3 bars for reception if I put my finger very lightly over the antenna it would go to 1 bar or even 0 bars.
Thanks to all for the info from this site, I can now enjoy listening to Howard Stern.
Same location as mine except mine is on the top flat surface of the GPS mount, works like a charm; I highly recommend moving the antenna outside the fairing.
Post by: tlr on September 18, 2014, 10:41:27 AM
Relocated the antenna this past weekend and it makes a world of difference on the outside of the fairing, FYI these antennas are very sensitive, for example: sitting in the driveway I would have 3 bars for reception if I put my finger very lightly over the antenna it would go to 1 bar or even 0 bars.
Thanks to all for the info from this site, I can now enjoy listening to Howard Stern.
Nicely done. How did you run the wire? did you drill a hole under the unit?
Post by: MGCVO on September 18, 2014, 11:13:17 AM
Post by: TheHern on September 18, 2014, 01:38:52 PM
Can't wait to try it out this weekend...hoping for some much improved reception!!! 8) ;D 8) ;D