|
|
Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Ok, looked at some old posts before asking this question, but didn't see anything for what I need, so since someone here has the username "radioteacher" I figured I'd ask here.
We all know the stock antenna stinks, but maybe it's just the radio itself, I don't know for sure. I started using the Vision for commuting, and I need to at least be able to get the traffic station to figure out if I am going to bail off the highway. Last year I installed a metra powered antenna under the dash. I can't say it was a big improvement.
So, as I have been riding down the highway, and in between being run down by crazy Asian drivers in Northern VA, I noticed that most of the newer vehicles have combo antennas. The antenna are usually a sat. radio am/fm combination. That got me thinking and starting to do a little research and here is what I am thinking, and what I hope someone here knows.
I started looking at antennas, and Metra by far has the largest selection I have found so far. But I am thinking about mounting a "european style am/fm antenna" onto the Vision. They are usually 6-9" tall. I am assuming that getting the antenna up on the bike, and above some of the metal will have to help the reception. For asthetic purposes, I am even toying with mounting it dead center in the trunk, or maybe on the front cover over top of the old one.
But in looking at the antennas, I am lacking in some knowledge and need some help. I want a powered antenna, but what is the difference between a powered antenna and an electronic antenna?
I am not looking to hear stations from Jersey, just get some of what is considered local stations. I also am considering buying one of the combo antennas, because if I add the Garmin GPS that I want, I am hoping that I could use this same hookup for the Garmin Xm radio when and if I get it. I am wondering if these XM antennas will work with the Garmin. Anyone know?
The trunk would look the best, but I am leaning towards the front cover only because if I do have to cut something, I'd rather be able to replace it more cheaply if it doesn't work out.
And before you say it, yes I know that sat radio is great, and I hope to get it one day. But, for right now I am looking for a lower cost solution so that I can at least here the traffic station, and maybe get some weather info when needed.
I'd really appreciate the help, and I promise that if I do it, I will give a full report back here so everyone can benefit. Thanks.
Edited by divesharc 2010-03-27 12:30 AM
| |
| | |
Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Might consider going the route I did. Works great !! Here are the details http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4763&pos... | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | This is actually one of the posts that I read. I have a few questions though. First, did you have the metra powered antenna installed before you used the VW one? If you had to put a number on it, how much of an imporvement would you say it was? 10%, 20%? Also, that looks like a pillar antenna, did you keep it under the cowling/aluminum trim plate, or did you leave it under the dash. This would certainly be easier, because I could almost just swap out antennas, but I was trying to get the maximum improvement for the money. But, if you think it was that much of an improvement, I could go that route. Appreciate it. | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 92
Princeton, MN | I had the shop install a 3 inch adjustable flex antenna on the trunk just ahead of the running light,,HUGE reception improvement! No problems and its out of the way just fine. | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | divesharc,
>>> Ok, looked at some old posts before asking this question, but didn't see anything for what I need, so since someone here has the username "radioteacher" I figured I'd ask here.
That's me. I am an Amateur Radio Operator and have been working on communication radios for over 25 years. I own some of the same quality communication test equipment that a commercial shop would use to check out a radio.
>>> We all know the stock antenna stinks, but maybe it's just the radio itself, I don't know for sure.
Yes, after some testing I can easily state that using the front blade as an antenna was a really bad idea. It was most likely a compromise made by executives since no radio engineer in his right mind would have made such a blunder. Some of the early 2008 Visions had a power connector for an "antenna amplifier" that was never installed. Once again, an radio frequency amplifier can only do so much to improve this antenna.
Now let talk about the radio on my 2008 Vision. IF I WAS TALKING TO MY RADIO I WOULD NEED TO SHOUT BECAUSE IT IS DEAF AS A POST!!!
Really, after testing my radio I find that it takes about 6 to 10 times the signal to get clear reception (12 db of SINAD) then the radio in my truck.
I mounted the powered Metra antenna under the plastic cover of the dash and it works better then the blade but it is hard to overcome a poor receiver.
>>> I started using the Vision for commuting, and I need to at least be able to get the traffic station to figure out if I am going to bail off the highway.
For the best reception you should mount a tall antenna to give it the best chance of getting a signal from the transmitter and add an amplifier in line with the coax. Using a short antenna just handicaps the system in other ways.
>>> Last year I installed a metra powered antenna under the dash. I can't say it was a big improvement.
Trust me it does work better than stock but it is hard to overcome the radio deafness too.
>>> I want a powered antenna, but what is the difference between a powered antenna and an electronic antenna?
Beats me sounds like marketing. It would be nice it Victory would come out with a full sized antenna for the trunk that is already amplified.
>>> I also am considering buying one of the combo antennas, because if I add the Garmin GPS that I want, I am hoping that I could use this same hookup for the Garmin Xm radio when and if I get it. I am wondering if these XM antennas will work with the Garmin. Anyone know?
If you want something like that you might have to get it from Garmin to make sure it is compatible with their systems and frequencies.
>>> First, did you have the metra powered antenna installed before you used the VW one?
I do not under stand the question. I used the stock antenna then the Metra.
>>> If you had to put a number on it, how much of an imporvement would you say it was? 10%, 20%?
6 db to 9 db
>>> Also, that looks like a pillar antenna, did you keep it under the cowling/aluminum trim plate, or did you leave it under the dash.
Under the dash. Under the blade would probably be worse then the blade alone.
>>> This would certainly be easier, because I could almost just swap out antennas, but I was trying to get the maximum improvement for the money.
For the best improvement see the note on the external amplified antenna above.
Have a good one, let me know how it goes.
FYI, the radio in the 2010 Visions is much improved. Better reception, display and RDS.
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2010-03-27 10:53 AM
| |
| | |
Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | Hey guys, I can vouch for the 2010 radio and speakers. I live in the Indianapolis area and with no mods my radio picks up all the normal stations that we pick up with our other vehicles, and the national weather service band comes through loud and clear. I haven't made a comparison between the new and the older models, but I couldn't be more pleased with the factory setup on the 2010. I would make a comparison in your area before investing in a factory 2010 setup.
Regarding the GPS, Garmin announced a few weeks ago a new model, ZUMO 665, which is almost identical to the ZUMO 660. Difference is it also has a XM receiver built in with traffic and weather through garmin. Here is a link that compares Garmin's motorcycle models.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=135&compareProduct=65203&...
Good luck and let us know how it turns out. | |
| | |
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 43
Rossville, IL | I wonder if they just changed the radio or did they do something different with the antenna as well? Any idea if you can put the 2010 radio in the '08's and '09's or what they cost? | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I am sure that the 2010 radio is not as deaf as the 2008 radio. They also support RDS (tells you station information and the artist and song names) on the 2010 radio. The 2010 radio has a much higher resolution display on it to display text and information.
>>> Any idea if you can put the 2010 radio in the '08's and '09's or what they cost?
Its been done and it works just fine. Ask "Teach" for a rundown.
Ride Safe | |
| | |
Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | Not bashing the company but like any other part, I'm sure a new 2010 version of the radio will be salty. I think any dealer that's willing to sell you one could determine if the new radio is compatible with an older model bike. The only plus is you could probably recover some of the cost by selling the old radio.
The good thing is you would probably also get the other upgraded features incorporated in the 2010 version. I think that includes additional IPod features, GPS features as well as the display features mentioned by radioteacher above. And of course better reception and volume
| |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | The audio components for the Vision are designed and built by Radio Sound. http://www.radiosound.com
It's been a few months since I talked to them, but they were offering to exchange your old radio for a new updated one for $175. They would exchange your CB/intercom unit for $150. If you do one, you'll need to do both if you have both, so the hardware/software matches. I had mine exchanged under warranty because my CB wouldn't work right. Give them a call if you're interested in updating. They do not sell directly to the consumer, but they will exchange radios with you that were purchased through Victory. They will talk to you directly, if you explain what you need.
Ronnie | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | Ronnie, that's interesting info, but leads to the obvious question. If they agree to exchange radios/CB with you, is the job of swapping them out something the average owner can do through plug and play or is it something more complex that is best left to the experts? And, who are the experts - the average dealer or a radio shop? | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | flint, I took out the radio, it's not that hard. Basically, you start with the trim panel around the gauges, it comes off like the plastic in car dashes. Take off the trim panel in front of the seat. If I remember, there are a few allen wrench bolts, and it lifts off the bike. The underside has some snap in wire connectors, but it's not hard to undo those. That is how you get the radio out, not that much too it. Also, there is a digital Vision manual floating here in the posts, and I think they have an exploded diagram. I might check into the radio swap as well, but paying for another radio just seems wrong since they know the one they gave us sucks. Oh well. | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | Divesharc, I've had those pieces off before, so that part isn't too bad. I was just unsure about the radio itself and the display, etc. But, it sounds like it might not be bad. I have the Vision Service manual in print, but a quick look last night didn't find the radio. I'll look again. Thanks for the info. It may be something I will try. I agree about the cost being wrong, given the problems, but I know (expect) it would be a real fight to get it done under warranty now, since the bike is 2 years old. | |
| | |
Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | rdbudd - 2010-03-27 10:31 PM
They do not sell directly to the consumer, but they will exchange radios with you that were purchased through Victory. They will talk to you directly, if you explain what you need.
Ronnie
Might be worth looking into. I need to respond to this radio posting so I can look it up later. 
Thanks.
Herb | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 61
| AntennaWorks Amplified Hidden Marine Antenna, Works perfectly. 40 bucks | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 61
| AntennaWorks Amplified Hidden Marine Antenna, Works perfectly. 40 bucks | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 260
| Victorywldr - 2010-04-07 10:22 AM
AntennaWorks Amplified Hidden Marine Antenna, Works perfectly. 40 bucks
Where can one buy this? | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 61
| http://www99.shopping.com/xPO-Metra_Universal_Antenna_Universal_Hid...
Here is a link the best price i found was 25 bucks, guess I got hosed... Anyways the antenna it self is the rectangular box.. You can mount it virtually anywhere on the bike. Just pull the old connection from the back of the radio and plug the new one in... It is a standard GM plug. Next you need to wire the amplifier power wire into the fuse box in an open spot. It's that easy. Added about 45 miles of range to my favorite local Rush Limbaugh station. | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 61
| Metra Antennaworks is the Actual Manufacturer | |
| | |
Cruiser
Posts: 135
Yellowknife, NT Canada | Here you can get it..
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_12044UA20/Universal-Antenna.html?searc...
The also sell the Alpine Speaker discussed in another thread SPS-500
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500SPS500/Alpine-SPS-500.html?search=A... | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I have wondered if the antenna from the XC would work nicely with a Vision radio?
I hate the same old music and the same piss poor commercials so I just use my Ipod. | |
| |
|
Antenna project help