Hidden Antennae

[RLD]

Has anyone taken the stock antennae and just bent it to fit under the (I/S) fairing vs the hidden style? I've tried the hidden, amplified type and they weren't much better than nothing. I live about 30 miles from my favorite station (98.5 www.KTIS.FM (cheap plug)) and could not listen to it with the hidden style. I've got an extra, maybe I'll just give it a try. Any "experts" out there willing to give their thoughts??

Thanks

[Ricky-D]

You've got the trunk off I assume.

I made a mount base that I can fasten the antenna base to; and have it all mounted down between the saddle bag and the fender. It is mounted to the chrome assembly that runs between the bags to steady up the bags.

Just went to local discount auto parts store and bought a cheapie flex antenna and tapped the antenna base itself and screwed it on!

Tapping the antenna was only slightly effective since I didn't want to destroy it in the process and the threading was at best very bad.

Screwing the antenna on to the stock base was to my mind tentative at best and I figured it would fly off eventually, but it has not and it's still there.

Reception is good, not as good as stock when it was mounted on the trunk frame but still is good.

It gets seemingly directional: Where riding away from the source reception is better compared to riding towards the source. I relate this to mounting it so low and between so much metal.

I do not think bending it and installing it in the fairing will be viable but then again it just might be.
If I were to do what you contemplate, I would simply get a tester first (like a wire) and see the results since I feel it is a difficult job you suggest.

***

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I too have a rubber attena mounted down low inbetween bags and rear fender just behind turn signal on the left side of bike. It works ok but since I installed the XM I don't use FM much anymore.

[Pete]

If you want a concealed antenna, get one of the inexpensive flexible wire/tape antennas (it is clear tape with a wire attached to a coax).

It will be quite long, run it inside the fairing and around the windshield everywhere you can (more length is better).

I have used them on several vehicles and they work well if long and high (as possible).

The best one was when I ran it completely around an auto windshield, worked better than the original antenna.

[Kingbee]

[RLD]

I already have mine mounted outside the saddlebags, (trunk removed) but am looking to also remove the bags completely, thus the reasoning to move the antennae somewhere else. A "SuperValk" without bags. Now that I ride solo and wear an Aerostich, my tour pack and bags are mostly empty so why carry the weight when a small trunk bag would suffice. Lighter is better. Thanks for the ideas, I like the wire/tape concept. Will have to do some research.

[chip]

I now have a rubber antenna in my fairing ,bad reception. I will be trying this one soonhttp://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,21586.0.html

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