I'm sure it's VERY dependent on location and terrain. FM signals are "line of sight", meaning if there are mountains and buildings in the way, reception with any antenna will be compromised.

In the relatively urban/suburban, hilly area I live (20 miles outside of NYC), the J&M internal gives me slightly better reception than the stock whip antenna for NYC stations. I know it's slightly better because with the stock I could not get my favorite station in the garage. With the J&M, that station comes in fine in the garage.

With either antenna, reception on the bike is approximately the same as both of my cars (Audi and Jeep). I don't see the Infotainment reception being any better or worse in my area than any other vehicle.

 

No problems with HD hidden antenna on my bike.

 

I got the same reception with the HD hidden fairing antenna as the whip antenna on my 14 FLHXS. I mounted the center plastic piece that's powered directly to the back of my speedo/tach guages (double sided adhesive), and then ran each side around the outer edge of the speaker pods.

 

I had the dealer install the hidden antenna as part of the sale. I have no reception issues with the HD inner fairing mounted antenna. The only issue I have with the sound system is I blew the left side speaker with only half volume setting. Dealer is replacing it under warranty.

 

With the Boom hidden antenna, you'll lose a little. If you're already marginal on reception it will be noticeable, i.e., static and interference. If you're closer to the stations you normally listen to and have a strong signal already you might not notice a difference.

Harley advertises the hidden antenna does better in some regards than the stock antenna. In my case that wasn't so. But it wasn't a lot worse so I left it be (the hidden antenna, that is).

Alan

 

I've got the HD hidden antenna and it works better than the stock whip...

 

I tried both the passive and active antennas and neither worked as well as the stock. The shorty antenna was also useless in my area. I think you need to be near a large metropolitan area for any replacement antenna to work properly. I am about halfway between Philly and New York cities in NJ and the only thing that works properly for me is the stock antenna.

 

I used the original antenna(I thought) but nothing was plugged in. Bought the boom audio hidden and it was just as bad. Might try a shorty since they have worked in the past in my area with other vehicles.

 

There sure are a lot of differing opinions on this issue, lol. Fact is the stock antenna is going to give the best results, but looks like crap. It has a lot to do with the correct length. There was a thread in here where some members had bent the stock antenna toward the front of the bike along the frame and the results were good.

 

Have you tried turning the radio on ?