radio and sound qulity

redking · 09-16-2012, 08:52 AM

First, I love having a radio but wish it was better in several ways.

1. It seems to have a weak reception. Is there anything I can do to boost it power to receive a signal?

2. The speakers seem to be a little on the cheap side what are my options for improving the sound quality?

3. My WS looks to be about 12" (bought the bike used with it already on) I'm 6'2, will a tall WS help dampen the noise of the wind and improve sound quality?

4. Will louder pipes hurt sound quality?

5. and this has nothing to do with my radio or speakers, but chuckster and/or Joe's mods or parts? is there a link where i can read p on it.

mrtelefoneman1 · 09-16-2012, 10:05 AM

Redking, not knowing what you ride, I can make a few vague suggestions.

1. A 12" shield at 6' 2" seems a little tall to eliminate buffiering which I assume is the cause of your wind noise. This, however has nothing to do with radio reception, as you know.

2. As for reception, you can try a signal booster which connects between your head unit and antenna. Understand that this unit is powered. The downside is that the longer you make your antenna cable, the more noise you may encounter and all it does is boost the signal, thereby making the noise louder.

3. Louder pipes will not hurt sound quality but will 'seem' to decrease the volume of your stereo. Turn it up and you get distortion.

4. Determine the size of your speakers and look for a quality set of marine grade speakers to replace them with. Crutchfiled.com, Amazon.com, etc

5. If you have the capability, consider an MP3 player. Load the music you want to listen to and never worry about reception.

**jestephens** · 09-16-2012, 10:13 AM

For me and my Vaquero, the windscreen height was the single most effective thing to reduce noise.

I'm 6'1" and swapped the stock 5.5" screen for a 9". Now, even with louder pipes, I can hear the radio perfectly at highway speeds. - For reception . . . I haven't noticed a problem. ???

redking · 09-16-2012, 10:46 AM

sorry, I ride a vaq

Old Bear · 09-16-2012, 11:30 AM

OK, I'll be the newbie that will bite.

What is a "vaq" if it isn't the Vaquero?

redking · 09-16-2012, 11:45 AM

it is the vaquero

**ringadingh** · 09-16-2012, 02:45 PM

Try wearing earplugs, I find that the radio sounds better because the earplugs eliminate most of the wind noise.

bouson · 09-16-2012, 10:52 PM

I agree with jestephens swapped the stock 5.5" screen for a 16". Now, even at 90 mph, I can hear the radio perfectly with the AVC set at 5 and volume at 16 all the time.
For reception I have noticed a small problem at times. There is a post on here about a washer at the bottom of the antenna that may be installed wrong causing static problems. I also found that I could move the antenna around on the swivel that it has. I angled mine back at a 45 degree angle and it improved the reception.
There is a trouble shooting section in the shop service manual starting on 16-97 that might be some help.

redking · 09-17-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouson

I agree with jestephens swapped the stock 5.5" screen for a 16". Now, even at 90 mph, I can hear the radio perfectly with the AVC set at 5 and volume at 16 all the time.
For reception I have noticed a small problem at times. There is a post on here about a washer at the bottom of the antenna that may be installed wrong causing static problems. I also found that I could move the antenna around on the swivel that it has. I angled mine back at a 45 degree angle and it improved the reception.
There is a trouble shooting section in the shop service manual starting on 16-97 that might be some help.

What is AVC? I am drawing a total blank?

cactusjack · 09-17-2012, 10:11 AM

AVC = Automatic Volume Control. This is the circuit that magically increases stereo volume the faster you go and decreases it as you slow down.

redking · 09-17-2012, 10:45 AM

ok stupid question time, how d I set the AVC?

cactusjack · 09-17-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redking

ok stupid question time, how d I set the AVC?

I'm sure it's in your owner's manual.

I only know how to set it on the Harley Davidson sound system.

raw6464 · 09-17-2012, 11:38 AM

IMPROVE RADIO RECEPTION

1. Replace the rubber ducky antenna with a 31" car antenna. Most car parts stores like Autozone stock them. The antenna's come with adapters but you might have to re-thread an antenna adapter to the antenna mount on the bike or get a metric bolt and cut the head off... I think the antenna mount is 6mm.

2. Add an inline amplifier like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/12v-Car-Ante...item336d194144 You can connect it to the 12V aux. connector right in the fairing with the radio. It will improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and reduce the static. These radios have automatic gain controls (AGC) and when the signals are weak the gain increases reaching into the noise level. When the signal is stronger than the noise you don't hear the noise because the AGC reduces the amplification above the noise level.

I have done both of the above and it made a marked improvement that I could live with. I didn't do anything about the speakers, turning the treble up and the bass way down helps a lot.

Kawasaki knows about the cheap speakers and rather than replacing them they put an automatic tone control (ATC) on the radio to control the bass... it works to a degree... a small degree.

bouson · 09-17-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redking

ok stupid question time, how d I set the AVC?

Press in on the volume button and hold till the radio display changes. Then you tap the volume button again to scroll through the various options till you get to AVC which is set at 3 from the factory. Push the volume button to the right and it will increase to the 5 maximum. There is also selections for the bass, treble, preset radio station selection, am, aux(MP3), weather band, fade for the speakers, xm, cb and country.

BigA80 · 09-18-2012, 01:17 AM

I noticed on my Vaq on the radio when I turn the bike off with the radio or whatever I was listening to when I turn the key back on it goes loud for a half second then goes back down. I do have the AVC on and I assume it is because of that. I haven't turned the AVS off and tried it yet that intails getting out the manual to figure out. I was just wondering if this is normal to everyone elses.

RED also I am 6'2" and I got the 14" CeeBailys windshield and it is still buffeting my eyes think I'll go up to 15"

09-16-2012, 08:52 AM	#1
redking Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 53	radio and sound qulity First, I love having a radio but wish it was better in several ways. 1. It seems to have a weak reception. Is there anything I can do to boost it power to receive a signal? 2. The speakers seem to be a little on the cheap side what are my options for improving the sound quality? 3. My WS looks to be about 12" (bought the bike used with it already on) I'm 6'2, will a tall WS help dampen the noise of the wind and improve sound quality? 4. Will louder pipes hurt sound quality? 5. and this has nothing to do with my radio or speakers, but chuckster and/or Joe's mods or parts? is there a link where i can read p on it. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

09-16-2012, 10:13 AM	#3
jestephens Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis) Posts: 1,601	For me and my Vaquero, the windscreen height was the single most effective thing to reduce noise. I'm 6'1" and swapped the stock 5.5" screen for a 9". Now, even with louder pipes, I can hear the radio perfectly at highway speeds. - For reception . . . I haven't noticed a problem. ??? __________________ Jay Stephens, Former National Vice President (2013-2015) 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 formerly 2011 Vaquero- Black formerly 2005 Nomad - black/silver
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09-16-2012, 11:30 AM	#5
Old Bear Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,434	OK, I'll be the newbie that will bite. What is a "vaq" if it isn't the Vaquero? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-16-2012, 02:45 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Try wearing earplugs, I find that the radio sounds better because the earplugs eliminate most of the wind noise. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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09-16-2012, 10:52 PM	#8
bouson Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 229	I agree with jestephens swapped the stock 5.5" screen for a 16". Now, even at 90 mph, I can hear the radio perfectly with the AVC set at 5 and volume at 16 all the time. For reception I have noticed a small problem at times. There is a post on here about a washer at the bottom of the antenna that may be installed wrong causing static problems. I also found that I could move the antenna around on the swivel that it has. I angled mine back at a 45 degree angle and it improved the reception. There is a trouble shooting section in the shop service manual starting on 16-97 that might be some help. __________________ My friends call me KC!! Wichita, KS VBA #02089 Previous Bikes: 75 Yamaha 175 09 Vulcan 900 Classic 11 Vulcan Vaquero *Harleys:* 75 Sportster XLCH 84 Sportster 1000 85 FXRT 79 Low Rider
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09-16-2012, 10:05 AM	#2
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Redking, not knowing what you ride, I can make a few vague suggestions. 1. A 12" shield at 6' 2" seems a little tall to eliminate buffiering which I assume is the cause of your wind noise. This, however has nothing to do with radio reception, as you know. 2. As for reception, you can try a signal booster which connects between your head unit and antenna. Understand that this unit is powered. The downside is that the longer you make your antenna cable, the more noise you may encounter and all it does is boost the signal, thereby making the noise louder. 3. Louder pipes will not hurt sound quality but will 'seem' to decrease the volume of your stereo. Turn it up and you get distortion. 4. Determine the size of your speakers and look for a quality set of marine grade speakers to replace them with. Crutchfiled.com, Amazon.com, etc 5. If you have the capability, consider an MP3 player. Load the music you want to listen to and never worry about reception.
	0

09-16-2012, 10:46 AM	#4
redking Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 53	sorry, I ride a vaq
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09-16-2012, 11:45 AM	#6
redking Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 53	it is the vaquero
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09-17-2012, 10:11 AM	#10
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	AVC = Automatic Volume Control. This is the circuit that magically increases stereo volume the faster you go and decreases it as you slow down. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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09-17-2012, 10:45 AM	#11
redking Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 53	ok stupid question time, how d I set the AVC?
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09-17-2012, 11:38 AM	#13
raw6464 Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 8	IMPROVE RADIO RECEPTION 1. Replace the rubber ducky antenna with a 31" car antenna. Most car parts stores like Autozone stock them. The antenna's come with adapters but you might have to re-thread an antenna adapter to the antenna mount on the bike or get a metric bolt and cut the head off... I think the antenna mount is 6mm. 2. Add an inline amplifier like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/12v-Car-Ante...item336d194144 You can connect it to the 12V aux. connector right in the fairing with the radio. It will improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and reduce the static. These radios have automatic gain controls (AGC) and when the signals are weak the gain increases reaching into the noise level. When the signal is stronger than the noise you don't hear the noise because the AGC reduces the amplification above the noise level. I have done both of the above and it made a marked improvement that I could live with. I didn't do anything about the speakers, turning the treble up and the bass way down helps a lot. Kawasaki knows about the cheap speakers and rather than replacing them they put an automatic tone control (ATC) on the radio to control the bass... it works to a degree... a small degree.
	0

09-18-2012, 01:17 AM	#15
BigA80 Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 28	I noticed on my Vaq on the radio when I turn the bike off with the radio or whatever I was listening to when I turn the key back on it goes loud for a half second then goes back down. I do have the AVC on and I assume it is because of that. I haven't turned the AVS off and tried it yet that intails getting out the manual to figure out. I was just wondering if this is normal to everyone elses. RED also I am 6'2" and I got the 14" CeeBailys windshield and it is still buffeting my eyes think I'll go up to 15"
	0