Hidden or shorty antenna? Which is best?

[fishin1789]

Looking to change out the stock antenna on my 2015 SGS and wondering if anyone has any thoughts on which antenna type works the best. I do a lot of riding in rural areas and FM radio reception is the most important factor. Do the shorty antennas get good reception out in the country? What brand(s) would you recommend?

 

[cajun1_us]

All my friends that went with shorty antenna have switched back to the whip antenna. I went with the hidden antenna and don't find any difference between that and the whip. They get the same reception for me.

 

[Crumb]

Just be careful with hidden antenna if you have a amp. They will distort signal when placed close to the amp

 

[bryan0994]

I had the HD hidden antenna and it sucked, couldn't pick up anything. I just put my whip back on this weekend. I'm going to hide it along the frame rail. You may want to do that.


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[Bones]

I ran the factory antenna under the fender, seat and the tip is under the gas tank. Then I put a plug in the hole. Antenna works fine for me and looks clean without the antenna.

 

[Mojo]

I had the HD hidden antenna and it sucked, couldn't pick up anything. I just put my whip back on this weekend. I'm going to hide it along the frame rail. You may want to do that.

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bryan0994- Give us a report on the change & reception after you make the change. I have the hidden unit on right now.

 

[bryan0994]

Just did it, only took about 15 mins. I cut the bracket a bit because I had to turn it around. Just setting in the garage it's a big difference over the hidden antenna.

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[TomA]

I have the hidden antenna I don't care for it at all. Salesman talked me into it at purchase. It doesn't work unless your really close to the station and now with the amp it doesn't work at all unless you like listening to the weather station. I use an Ipod all the time so I don't really even try to use the radio but it would be nice to have it work right. One of these days I will get another antenna and run it up under the seat and take out the hidden throw it away.

Just my 2cents

 

[wildchld]

Just removed it all together never listen to FM. Between the Sat, Streaming, and a 32gb micro SD I have plenty to listen too

 

[cajun1_us]

I have the hidden antenna I don't care for it at all. Salesman talked me into it at purchase. It doesn't work unless your really close to the station and now with the amp it doesn't work at all unless you like listening to the weather station. I use an Ipod all the time so I don't really even try to use the radio but it would be nice to have it work right. One of these days I will get another antenna and run it up under the seat and take out the hidden throw it away.

Just my 2cents

That's strange, I'm having no loss of signal using the hidden antenna, I don't have an amp tho. I'm 60 to 70 miles away from radio stations and pick them up as good as my Tacoma does. Makes me wonder if something wasn't hooked up correctly or wasn't routed properly.

 

[14POSE]

I went with a shorty antenna and did not see a change in my area. I am going to eventually upgrade to better speakers and an amp after I get a Daymaker. FYI on the instructions to the hidden fairing antenna it tell yous to place the booster by your power source and away from the Daymaker LED headlights. I personally don't care for spending money on something that may work and is tempermental. Wives don't count lol

 

[Mojo]

Now I'm really confused! My fairing antenna works pretty well but the stock hidden one intrigues me!!

 

[14 FLHX]

I had the hidden antenna in the faring it sucked.

I also have my antenna tucked in frame rail, that also sucks also. I'm going back to the stock whip till I can find a Shorty

 

[Iron Horse]

I'm getting along pretty well with the hidden fairing antenna. Although it's not perfect and occasionally gets interference from electrical towers. I don't recall the stock whip's performance.


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[hevyrockerdk]

I don't have any problems with my stock antenna tucked away under the seat. It gets my main station, and that's all I ask it to do for me.

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[Krewl Intent]

Anyone looked into, or used the Tune Trapper?

Similar design to the HD one, but seems to be a little better quality... though I am no electrical engineer...