Radio Antenna Suggestion?

[vendit]

I installed a Jensen JHD910 radio last weekend on my Spyder. When I ordered the radio, they also recommended a short 6" rubber antenna. I purchased this as well, and side mounted it to the front cowling near the mirror mount. The radio keeps flashing the icon "no signal". While I can get quite a few stations pretty clear in my shop, when I test rode it the other night, the station reception was not very good. I live in an area that has quite a few radio stations, and is never a problem pulling in stations in any other vehicle.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good type of antenna that works well on motorcycles?

The one thing I did notice about the antenna I bought, was the fact that when I mounted it, you drill a 1/4" hole and insert the base which has a 1/4" screw through the plastic, then the cable slips on over the screw stud, and you fasten with one nut. To me....this doesn't seem like it is forming a very good conection with the base. It's almost like just plugging in the antenna cable to the radio, and letting it lay there.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Other than this issue, I really like the heavy duty quality of the Jensen JHD910 radio. It has a lot of features, and it waterproof. It seems to be a high quality built component.

Thanks!

VENDIT

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Fractal Antenna

Hello Vendit,
Have you heard of a fractal antenna? This sight tells you how to make one. Just an idea.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_make_a_fractal_antenna_for_HDTV_DTV_plus_/

Google fractal antenna to learn more. Keep us informed will you? Thanks. Jerry

 

[moroccomole2004]

Same Issue

I installed a Jensen JHD910 radio last weekend on my Spyder. When I ordered the radio, they also recommended a short 6" rubber antenna. I purchased this as well, and side mounted it to the front cowling near the mirror mount. The radio keeps flashing the icon "no signal". While I can get quite a few stations pretty clear in my shop, when I test rode it the other night, the station reception was not very good. I live in an area that has quite a few radio stations, and is never a problem pulling in stations in any other vehicle.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good type of antenna that works well on motorcycles?

The one thing I did notice about the antenna I bought, was the fact that when I mounted it, you drill a 1/4" hole and insert the base which has a 1/4" screw through the plastic, then the cable slips on over the screw stud, and you fasten with one nut. To me....this doesn't seem like it is forming a very good conection with the base. It's almost like just plugging in the antenna cable to the radio, and letting it lay there.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Other than this issue, I really like the heavy duty quality of the Jensen JHD910 radio. It has a lot of features, and it waterproof. It seems to be a high quality built component.

Thanks!

VENDIT

VENDIT,

I just installed the same and am getting the icon flashing, even though the stereo "ST" lights up for my favorite local station. I installed a Hidden Amplified AM/FM Antenna Kit which got so/so ratings but thought I would give it a try. I too am looking for a good whip antenna, so any recommendation on one which has worked for others and the mounting location would be helpful.

Also what did you do about the large headphone jack? I want to convert it to a 3.5 mm jack but upon opening it up I see 5 wires - red, black, yellow, white and green, and the 3.5 mm female jack I got from Radio Shack has 2 terminals to solder to. Recommendations anyone???

Mole :spyder2:

 

[NancysToy]

VENDIT,

I just installed the same and am getting the icon flashing, even though the stereo "ST" lights up for my favorite local station. I installed a Hidden Amplified AM/FM Antenna Kit which got so/so ratings but thought I would give it a try. I too am looking for a good whip antenna, so any recommendation on one which has worked for others and the mounting location would be helpful.

Also what did you do about the large headphone jack? I want to convert it to a 3.5 mm jack but upon opening it up I see 5 wires - red, black, yellow, white and green, and the 3.5 mm female jack I got from Radio Shack has 2 terminals to solder to. Recommendations anyone???

Mole :spyder2:

A stereo 3.5 mm jack has three terminals.

 

[moroccomole2004]

A stereo 3.5 mm jack has three terminals.

Scotty, As always you are correct. In reviewing the 3.5mm jack I do see the 3rd terminal. So question now is which of the 5 wires from the larger jack to I solder where on the 3 terminals of the 3.5mm?

Thanks!

Mole :spyder2:

 

[moroccomole2004]

Doing more research I found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS_connector

1. Sleeve: usually ground
2. Ring: Right-hand channel for stereo signals, negative phase for balanced mono signals, power supply for power-requiring mono signal sources
3. Tip: Left-hand channel for stereo signals, positive phase for balanced mono signals, signal line for unbalanced mono signals
4. Insulating rings

Configurations and schematic symbols

D. This three-conductor jack has two normally closed switches connected to the contacts themselves. This would be useful for a patch point, for instance, or for allowing another signal to feed the line until a plug is inserted. The switches open when a plug is inserted. A common use for this style of connector is a stereo headphone jack that shuts off the default output (speakers) when the connector is plugged in.

Humm so how can I wire this up to work on a 3.5mm jack??

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

antenna

my 2 pennies worth, am running a remote ( wireless ) with an alpine deck in the truck, dwg speakers and yes a WALMART 14 " rubber antenna mounted to the bottom front of the spyder ( kinda hidden ) have no reception issues at all. can pick up my local radio from 60 plus miles away, after that it is local radio and all good. Will post pics of this set up as soon as possible. hope this helps ....hyea:

 

[vendit]

I bought a 13" replacement mast with built in amplifier, however haven't had a chance to ride down the road to check reception. I too have the "no sig" icon on the radio. I found that this is for the weather band. If you go into programming and turn off the "alert" option, that icon will go away.

PROBLEM: Now when the Spyder is running, I have a "ticking" noise in my helmet speakers....this is engine noise....So I installed a 20amp noise suppressor on the positive side of the Jensen Radio, however it didn't make any difference. I also connected the ground wire to my external fuse box to the negative side of course.

Any suggestions on getting rid of the engine noise?

Thanks for the help!

Mike

 

[vendit]

VENDIT,

I just installed the same and am getting the icon flashing, even though the stereo "ST" lights up for my favorite local station. I installed a Hidden Amplified AM/FM Antenna Kit which got so/so ratings but thought I would give it a try. I too am looking for a good whip antenna, so any recommendation on one which has worked for others and the mounting location would be helpful.

Also what did you do about the large headphone jack? I want to convert it to a 3.5 mm jack but upon opening it up I see 5 wires - red, black, yellow, white and green, and the 3.5 mm female jack I got from Radio Shack has 2 terminals to solder to. Recommendations anyone???

Mole :spyder2:

For the 1/4" headphone jack, I went to Radio Shack and bought a short adapter for 1/4" to 3.5mm. Just make sure you buy the Stereo adapter and not mono. I belive it was only like $4.99. This works great! Just plug adapter into 1/4" jack, and plugged my 3.5mm cord from the Starcomm into it!

Mike