Vaquero radio reception sucks

[Bean20547]

I'm sure this has been asked so apologize in advance. As the title says my reception is horrible so has anybody swapped out the factory antenna for a longer car antenna? If so what all did you use

[bo1966]

Mine is great. Have you checked to make sure something isn't loose somewhere? I ride around a LOT of chemical plants, oil refineries and downtown Houston and have no issue

[JD Hog]

I never use the radio, I use an iPod instead. Make sure that your antenna is tight, many members have lost their antennas on new bikes. I check mine on a regular basis.

[Bean20547]

Originally Posted by JD Hog

I never use the radio, I use an iPod instead. Make sure that your antenna is tight, many members have lost their antennas on new bikes. I check mine on a regular basis.

It is tight couldn't even break it lose from the base. I saw something on another forum about the round end under the mount is supposed to be hanging???

[Bean20547]

Originally Posted by bo1966

Mine is great. Have you checked to make sure something isn't loose somewhere? I ride around a LOT of chemical plants, oil refineries and downtown Houston and have no issue

As long as in my town, granted we only have 1 station if fine. But we do a lot of rural riding and it sucks

[colt]

Check this
https://amervoyassoc.org/techtips1700.php
Scroll down to radio reception.

[Mcantin]

Have you added a digital amp? I did and I have a marked decline in signal strength. The antenna signal can always be interfered with because the amplifier is a digital source and so is the FM reception on the bike. Or at least that's what I was told

[Bean20547]

Originally Posted by colt

Check this
https://amervoyassoc.org/techtips1700.php
Scroll down to radio reception.

I did see that planning on checking it 1 night this week

[Bean20547]

Originally Posted by Mcantin

Have you added a digital amp? I did and I have a marked decline in signal strength. The antenna signal can always be interfered with because the amplifier is a digital source and so is the FM reception on the bike. Or at least that's what I was told

Nope no amp

[Erilflynn]

Originally Posted by JD Hog

I never use the radio, I use an iPod instead. Make sure that your antenna is tight, many members have lost their antennas on new bikes. I check mine on a regular basis.

+1. The iPod adapter is worth every penny of its overpriced self. Just make sure you get an older iPod with a 30 pin connection.

[Bean20547]

Originally Posted by Erilflynn

+1. The iPod adapter is worth every penny of its overpriced self. Just make sure you get an older iPod with a 30 pin connection.

Do they have a FM tuner or are you just using them for a play list

[JD Hog]

Originally Posted by Bean20547

Do they have a FM tuner or are you just using them for a play list

The one I have is just a playlist. I don't know if you can get an iPod with an FM tuner included. It is the 2nd generation Nano.

[Erilflynn]

Originally Posted by Bean20547

Do they have a FM tuner or are you just using them for a play list

I have a 5th generation Nano. It has an FM tuner but I've never used it nor will you be able to control it from your bike (just artist, album & playlist) but it will also play all your songs in order under Your iPod Name. Used Nano's are plentiful on EBAy for as little as $50. Don't worry about scratches or the screen because you're gonna put it on the bike and never look at it again.

[Kap]

Originally Posted by colt

Check this
https://amervoyassoc.org/techtips1700.php
Scroll down to radio reception.

For those that have discarded the use of the radio because of reception, be sure you check the link that colt shared near the bottom of the page. It makes sense.

You have two sides to the end hole of the antenna wire (one spiked that connects to the antenna mount (top of the wire in the photo below) and the other smaller and smooth that goes on the outside where the nut holds it to the mast post (bottom side of the antenna wire shown below). The smooth bottom one uses the nut to connect to up the antenna mast and it CANNOT touch ground, the other is grounded thru the mount (not directly to the ground wire).

What would "look" correct is to connect the ground wire to the post that holds the antenna, but that ends up grounding the mast and kills reception. I suspect dealer's do that when the assemble the bike.

The ground wire does not connect to that center post, but actually connects inside the trunk to one of the bolts that holds on the entire antenna mount to the trunk.

[Bean20547]

Originally Posted by Kap

For those that have discarded the use of the radio because of reception, be sure you check the link that colt shared near the bottom of the page. It makes sense.

You have two sides to the end hole of the antenna wire (one spiked that connects to the antenna mount (top of the wire in the photo below) and the other smaller and smooth that goes on the outside where the nut holds it to the mast post (bottom side of the antenna wire shown below). The smooth bottom one uses the nut to connect to up the antenna mast and it CANNOT touch ground, the other is grounded thru the mount (not directly to the ground wire).

What would "look" correct is to connect the ground wire to the post that holds the antenna, but that ends up grounding the mast and kills reception. I suspect dealer's do that when the assemble the bike.

The ground wire does not connect to that center post, but actually connects inside the trunk to one of the bolts that holds on the entire antenna mount to the trunk.

I saw that but I'm kind of confused as to how it should look