Hello fellow bikers, does anyone out there have a fix for poor radio reception. I have installed an amp, have LED lights, a Hog tune tweeter, and two antennas, one in the rear and one under the fairing. It fades in places, and will cut in and out. I live in Florida on the space coast side, and other people say it's because of the space center. I don't believe that. Thank You.
Poor radio reception
- Thread starter cop out
- Start date
Are you talking about AM/FM radio, If so thats pretty normal where i mostly ride [NJ/PA/NY].. So i just use my I-POD..
You've added several things to your audio system so I wonder:
Did this poor reception begin after the install of some / all of the components? If so perhaps you can unplug them one at a time and see if that improves reception. At least you would know what is the culprit.
Why do you have two antennas? The one factory antenna in the rear is for both AM & FM. Are both antennas connected - not sure how both could be but I guess it is possible. If only the antenna under the fairing is connected I will say they are notorious for poor reception. If this is the case connect the rear antenna and see if that improves reception.
I could be that whatever antenna is connected is not fully plugged in and making a good connection.
Don't know about interference in your area but AM reception is horrible in my area of town. Few miles away and it improves greatly so there is something (no idea what) that is clobbering the AM. But FM should not be affected the way AM is.
Hope these suggestions help you locate your problem.
Did this poor reception begin after the install of some / all of the components? If so perhaps you can unplug them one at a time and see if that improves reception. At least you would know what is the culprit.
Why do you have two antennas? The one factory antenna in the rear is for both AM & FM. Are both antennas connected - not sure how both could be but I guess it is possible. If only the antenna under the fairing is connected I will say they are notorious for poor reception. If this is the case connect the rear antenna and see if that improves reception.
I could be that whatever antenna is connected is not fully plugged in and making a good connection.
Don't know about interference in your area but AM reception is horrible in my area of town. Few miles away and it improves greatly so there is something (no idea what) that is clobbering the AM. But FM should not be affected the way AM is.
Hope these suggestions help you locate your problem.
- Thread starter
- #4
We're neighbors (NW Palm Bay). AFAIK the radio is near useless while travelling so I bought a thumb drive, downloaded or copied about ten hours of my favorite tunes, and plugged it into the connector under the funny door on the dash. I haven't used the radio since. :clapping:
When people ask this question about poor reception that also have LEDS, this first thing a dealer will claim is it's the LEDS. But AM/FM reception can be a problem anywhere. As others have stated, use a thumbdrive, a phone or some kind of Bluetooth. I'd suggest XM radio but it too would/could have the same problem. It is an interesting theory though that the Space Center is the cause. Certainly not impossible but I thought the FCC had rules or laws against that kind of thing. No??? :Shrug::Shrug::Shrug:
I live very close to KSC/CCAFS (and work there), but never noticed a problem the first few years; now I have several dozen albums loaded onto a thumb drive, so I never use the radio, except the CB during group rides.
My first suspicion would be the multiple antennas. If you are using the hidden fairing antenna, they are notoriously bad for reception. And if have you somehow have multiple antennas connected, I would definitely go back to the stock single connection.
As others have suggested, start disconnecting things you have added and see where the problem lies.
Or use a thumb drive and forget the radio.:xszpv:You will always have the songs you want to listen to!
My first suspicion would be the multiple antennas. If you are using the hidden fairing antenna, they are notoriously bad for reception. And if have you somehow have multiple antennas connected, I would definitely go back to the stock single connection.
As others have suggested, start disconnecting things you have added and see where the problem lies.
Or use a thumb drive and forget the radio.:xszpv:You will always have the songs you want to listen to!
- Thread starter
- #8
Poor reception with radio.
Thank you for responding to my problem. Soon as it get's a little warmer, I'll tackle the problem.
Thank you for responding to my problem. Soon as it get's a little warmer, I'll tackle the problem.
Antenna Concepts....look them up...did wonders for me....
ISP-FL
600+ Posts
I ran a shorter antenna for awhile but it really cut down on my reception. The 2016 OEM was better, but the best one was from a 2009 Ultra Classic that I still had, it was longer and give me the absolute best reception while in Florida for FM stations. It seems that while traveling other places it doesn't make as much difference. Go figure.
You didn't indicate what year bike we're discussing but up to and including the '13's had a faulty circuit board in their radio that would make the radio fade out and/or totally shut down. I had to sent my radio off to be repaired, $160.00. AND Harley knew/knows about the issue but just like everything, like the '18 oil pumps, let them fail without telling their customers.
8~\o
8~\o
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