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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Well, it seems as if the 10's will be showing up soon (maybe) and their is still no word on a recall to fix this poor antenna that doesn't really work. Some of you have replaced your antenna with the mod I posted in the tech library. I've got my bike torn down again and I've been mulling over some other ideas that would be more plug-and-play (i.e. replace the little sticker antenna directly under the windsheild access panel. I've done a fair bit of experimenting with various types of antennae and have come up with a few ideas. Also I have a new access cover coming in to replace the one I scuffed on my bike. I'll probably use the old one to mod a bit and play with some ideas. Any suggestions are appreciated. My cheap-o SWR setup at work turned out to be pretty worthless; however, I have been playing with some tuners in my off time at work and finding some promising results. Surprisingly, the little commercial VHF hand held radio antennae seem to be the most effective and concealable. Without getting into boring details, I'll throw this out and see if anyone has any ideas as to locating a mating plug so no one has to cut theirs off. I would like to hold off on cutting things out/off in hopes that Victory will actually address this problem in the future...Doubtfully. Also for warranty concerns. Again, any suggestions are welcome. I'm an ET by trade but truthfully, I've never really been interested in RF outside of radars and such. In the end I hope to come up with a quicker/cleaner tutorial project since this is definitely not something that would be profitable enough to mess with.
Thanks again,
-Will |
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Tourer
Posts: 374
Tucson, AZ | Well I know nothing of radio reception, but wouldnt a trunk mounted antenna, using the same mount as the CB antenna be an option. I know it would not be a stealth one but I had shorties on my Harleys and they worked very well. I for one would purchase it if the installation was not extremely technical.
Mike |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Fortunately I'm good on both of my antenna's getting good FM reception and good talk distance on the CB. There is nothing to prevent you to do any mod's in this area as I'm sure there are plenty of flat surface mounts you could apply. I liked the Wing set up with the folding antenna and would like the same type of mount on mine. I would only go with an antenna in the right rear to balance the appearance. Keep us posted on any solution. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | When I had my bike disassembled I noticed that there is a plastic tube that comes off the antenna plug and goes down the inside of right fairing. This "tube" have anything to do with radio reception?
I've done the antenna mod and while it did improve the reception I would LOVE to have even better radio reception. I know there are many other options such as satelite and such but I really want the local stations.
I have no problems at all with cutting/modding any of factory setup. And I have no issues with being a guniea pig on anything. |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND | Please keep up the good work BigWill and keep us posted! We all appreciate your efforts. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Hey, will do. My goal is going to be to get the best possible AM/FM/WB reception. The emphasis will be on WB for safety reasons. Anyway. TTYL |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| From what I have researched having the antennas without 2 feet is bad for both reception. I lean toward a radio antenna up by the windshield on the same side as the CB one. Maybe a mounting clip to hold it on place. I assume a standard antenna plug will fit the Vision radio? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | RedRider - 2009-05-04 5:11 AM I assume a standard antenna plug will fit the Vision radio? A correct assumption, just had mine out Saturday. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| RedRider - 2009-05-04 4:11 AM From what I have researched having the antennas without 2 feet is bad for both reception. I lean toward a radio antenna up by the windshield on the same side as the CB one. Maybe a mounting clip to hold it on place. I assume a standard antenna plug will fit the Vision radio? Reception should not be harmed for either the CB or the radio if the antennas are that close. I've ridden both a GL1500 and a GL1800 Goldwing as well as rented a H-D Ultra Classic where on all the bikes the antennas were only the trunk width apart from each other (less than 24 inches in the case of the Ultra Classic) and reception on these bikes both with the CB and the radio were fantastic. My best guess is that the problem with radio reception on the Vision is due to the location and type of antenna being used. I am considering changing to a CB antenna from a '84 to '87 Honda GL1200 Goldwing where they used a single antenna for both and used a signal splitter mounted under the seat to separate the CB signal from the FM radio signal. I have absolutely no problems right now with my new CB, it is the best sounding unit I have heard on a motorcycle since I had my '86 Yamaha Venture Royale, and it is definitely better than that one too. I was riding with my friends this weekend (95% on GL1800 Goldwings) and all I got were compliments on the sound of my CB when communicating with others! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
Lebanon, PA | I can try and add some technical information for you and hope it helps. It's all about what is called "impedance matching". Remember your old TV with 2 screws to hook an antenna to? Then came cable with the screw on end. The screws on the TV represented a 300 ohm input while cable provided 75 ohms. Likely you saw a device the had spade lugs on one side and the screw connector on the other. That device was actually a matching transformer. Long story short, you get the maximum signal transfer when the radio input impedance matches the antenna impedance. You can't do anything about the radio impedance but you can change the antenna's impedance by changing it's length. Taping that piece of wire they call an antenna to the underside of an aluminum skin, IMHO, is why reception is so poor. The aluminum cover is acting as a shield. I have plans on doing some experimenting myself. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | I think you'll find the problem is not the antenna. Its the radio. I tried a standard antenna off a truck and it did not help reception. I bought a splitter from Sierra Electronics to adapt the CB antenna to the radio, again no help... They even replaced the radie and again no help. I think we need to face the fact that the radio is a piece of junk. Obviously during the three years of development of the Vision they forgot to turn the radio on..... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 257
Under the Rule of Jedi - Masshole | rlreed - 2009-05-05 9:05 PM
Snip---> Obviously during the three years of development of the Vision they forgot to turn the radio on.....
No I'm sure they had it on, but they had their iPods connected!  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | I guess I missed the warning that the AM/FM/WB radio on this 30 grand bike is for looks only and is not really a functional unit. But then I missed the one about the paint only being soft and for looks only that normal usage will cause scratches. Oh yea and the one about the Chrome being for garage queens only, if it is used normally the chrome will pit and peal...And the one warning that usuage of this Premium Touring motorcycle for touring will cause hearing loss due to the noise put out by the transmission...Then there must have been the one about installing Victory exhaust may cause hesitation and stalling in traffic. I think I probably missed some other warning labels also.. |
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Another Antenna Mod (AM/FM/WB)