Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Screamin' Al]

Because I'll be touring with a King TP, I'll be installing a hidden antenna. But would like to keep the original for other rides. So, the idea of a "Y" connector in the fairing appears to be an option. As I 'aint got the bike yet, can you let me know the type of antenna connector into the radio? Is there anyone in the UK who has tried this, and if so could you source the "Y" connector or have to make it up?

Thanks

[FLHXSE2]

Did just what you described on my bike. Found the Y connector on EBAY for $3 including shipping

[Screamin' Al]

Did just what you described on my bike. Found the Y connector on EBAY for $3 including shipping

Having problems finding any car/bike audio specialist who supplies a 2 female/1 male (which I assume it needs) "Y" piece on this side of the pond. A couple in Hong Kong which will take too long to arrive in time for the dealer to fit.

Are you happy with the set-up? One of the guys I talked to, suggested that using 2 into 1 would alter the resistance of the cable into the head unit and that would reduce the reception. No idea if this made sense...anybody agree with that?

[Bigtow]

Curious why do you want to keep the rear hookup?

[Cvostu]

I put the tune trapper in last and the fm radio comes in way better than with the shorty. Years ago on my car I hoped up a mast antenna with a y connector on a gm car with a windshield antenna.  For some reason I remember that the signal got worse when hooked up that way.  I eventually just bypassed the windshield antenna and went with the mast type.   I made the hole on the fender and I was stuck with that.    On my bike I just went with the Tune Trapper.   Seems to be working ok and I use the iPod most of the time anyway.

[Screamin' Al]

Curious why do you want to keep the rear hookup?

Because of some of the negative reports re reception from the hidden antenna, I thought this may have been a way of ensuring good results when I don't have the TP attached.

[hbens]

I just added the same antenna to my ride. The first couple of times I rode the reception wasn't that great. Since then I rearranged the antenna and the reception is pretty darn good with the mountains and such around MD. When I don't have good reception that is what the ipod, CD and my iphone music are all for

[Eagle Eye]

I just added the same antenna to my ride. The first couple of times I rode the reception wasn't that great. Since then I rearranged the antenna and the reception is pretty darn good with the mountains and such around MD. When I don't have good reception that is what the ipod, CD and my iphone music are all for

Any pictures of that installation, so others can do the same?  I'm going to go to the removable tour pack option this summer and will be installing the hidden antenna.  It would be great to see how you placed it for optimum reception. 

[Deep Blue Dives]

 One of the guys I talked to, suggested that using 2 into 1 would alter the resistance of the cable into the head unit and that would reduce the reception. No idea if this made sense...anybody agree with that?

There is no doubt that running both antennas will change the resistance and affect the performance.  Any additional cable, antenna added increases the load that the head unit will see.  Think about the loading of a 2ohm speaker vs. a 4 or 8ohm speaker.  Huge difference depending on what the receiver is optimized to work with.

What I don't know is if this will increase or decrease performance on the bike.  And this could vary greatly depending on the strength of the signal that the antenna is receiving.  Having more antenna doesn't necessarily increase performance.  

Wish I was back in my engineering days when I could access a test range to try that out.  I sure there are some engineer types in the group that may be able to give specifics.

I would also love to see the pics of how the hidden antenna was mounted to maximize performance.  I was considering adding this when I  when I installed my gps unit.  All I really care about is the WB performance - Ipod used all the way.

[Vyscera]

I just swapped out the OEM shorty for the H-D hidden. There is some degradation of reception in weaker signal areas, due to fairing interference, but that is no surprise.
When you do the Y configuration, you wont have two antennas, you have one larger antenna. Each wire is picking up sections of the radio waves. Antennas are configured (electronically or by length) for the size of the radio wave that they are supposed to pick up. Sticking two together messes with algorythm that decides their length. Running one antenna should give better reception. There is a lot more to antennas than most people think. 

[Cvostu]

I'd like to see the positioning of the hidden also.  I have mine just as high in  the fairing as I could get it.  Then zip tied the ends. The center is double sided taped to the plug between the speedometer and the tach.  It fit well there.

[hbens]

I won't have pictures unless I take the fairing off again. When I do I'll post them.
Basically I just followed the install instructions. The center piece had two sided tape on it and each end of the antenna did also. I taped it as high as it would go on the fairing. The second time I retaped it up I put it even higher towards the windshield screws. I have space issues inside there with the way the wiring is.
Engineering wise I have no idea why I have better reception now. Maybe I put enough pressure on a connection to give it really good contact.

[Bikerdude1018]

You may want to check out Harley's new Boom!™ Audio Hidden AM/FM/WB Antenna.  Got it installed last night, I'll let you know how it works later today.

From the Harley Website:
"Hide the AM/FM/WB antenna inside the fairing for a clean, uncluttered look. Uniquely tuned to the Harley-Davidson® radio, this enhanced Hidden Antenna offers reception performance equivalent to the Original Equipment whip antenna and superior to the Boom!™ Audio Shorty Antenna. Perfect for your clean slick custom bagger, this Hidden Antenna is also the ideal addition to models equipped with detachable Tour-Pak luggage because it eliminates the need to move the whip antenna back and forth between Tour-Pak® and fender mounting locations. Kit includes all required mounting hardware and wiring."

[Screamin' Al]

Is this about saying the last one was...well, not so good!

Think I've just been able to stop my tech installing the early one.

[Eagle Eye]

You may want to check out Harley's new Boom!™ Audio Hidden AM/FM/WB Antenna.  Got it installed last night, I'll let you know how it works later today.

From the Harley Website:
"Hide the AM/FM/WB antenna inside the fairing for a clean, uncluttered look. Uniquely tuned to the Harley-Davidson® radio, this enhanced Hidden Antenna offers reception performance equivalent to the Original Equipment whip antenna and superior to the Boom!™ Audio Shorty Antenna. Perfect for your clean slick custom bagger, this Hidden Antenna is also the ideal addition to models equipped with detachable Tour-Pak luggage because it eliminates the need to move the whip antenna back and forth between Tour-Pak® and fender mounting locations. Kit includes all required mounting hardware and wiring."

Good information!  Thanks!

Have there been any T/R issues with the hidden CB antenna?