Audiovox TRACVISION A7 INSTALLATION GUIDE

TracVision A7

Installation Guide

1

TracVision A7 Installation Guide – ADDENDUM

54-0350 Addendum to Rev. A

TracVision A7 Installation
Guide Addendum

ECO #7719

The following information applies to Revision A of the
TracVision A7 Installation Guide (KVH Part Number 54-0350).

Mounting the Antenna - Roof Mount Kit

The parts and procedure for mounting the TracVision A7 directly
to the roof have changed. This addendum explains this different
procedure.

1. With an assistant’s help, position the antenna onto
the center of the vehicle’s roof with a rubber
mounting block under each bracket.

Positioning an Antenna Bracket Onto a Mounting Block

WARNING

PLEASE READ - IMPORTANT!

The roof mount kit is designed for
mounting the antenna to a flat
metal roof up to 3⁄16" thick. It is not
intended to be a universal solution
for all vehicles. Improper use of this
kit, or the use of any other
installation technique, could result
in an unsafe installation and is not
supported by KVH.

Bracket

Mounting Block

2. The bottom of the antenna should rest a minimum
of 1" above the vehicle’s roof. If the antenna’s base
is less than 1" from the roof, you will need to add a
spacer under each bracket to raise the antenna
higher. If spacers are needed, follow the steps
below to install a spacer under each bracket:

a. Remove the #8-32 x

3

⁄8" screws and washers
securing the factory-installed plastic spacer to
the metal bracket.

b. Insert a second spacer from the kitpack

between the original spacer and the bracket.
Secure both spacers to the bracket using the
#8-32 x 1" screws supplied in the kitpack and
the original washers that you removed in
Step a.

Adding a Second Spacer to the Bracket (If Needed)

2

Bracket

New Spacer

Factory-installed

Spacer

Flat Washer

Lock Washer

#8-32 x 1" Screw

c. Place a rubber spacer onto the end of each

rubber mounting block.

Adding a Rubber Spacer to the Mounting Block (If Needed)

3. With the antenna centered on the vehicle’s roof
and resting on the four mounting blocks, mark the
eight mounting hole locations. To mark the holes,
you can use either a transfer punch or a

21

⁄64" drill

bit as shown below.

Marking the Mounting Holes Using a 21⁄64" Bit

4. Keeping the antenna level at all times, carefully
remove the antenna and mounting blocks from the
vehicle’s roof and set them aside in a safe place.

5. Using a

7

⁄16" drill bit, drill the eight mounting holes
in the vehicle’s roof. Be careful to drill through just
the metal roof, and not through the headliner
beneath it.

3

TracVision A7 Installation Guide – ADDENDUM

54-0350 Addendum to Rev. A

Bracket

Plastic Spacer

Rubber Spacer

Mounting Block

6. At each of the eight mounting holes in the roof,
follow the steps below to install a jack nut.

a. Insert the supplied

1

⁄4"-20 x 1" hex head bolt
into a friction wrench, using the large hole
marked “6&8JN.” Be sure to insert the bolt
into the correct side of the wrench (marked
“Enter Screw This Side”). Four friction
wrenches are provided in the kitpack.

Friction Wrench

b. Screw the bolt into a jack nut.

Screwing the Bolt into a Jack Nut

c. Apply silicone sealant or RTV along the

edges of the mounting hole in the roof.

d. Insert the jack nut into the mounting hole.

e. While holding the friction wrench in place,

tighten the bolt with a

7

⁄16" nut driver or socket.
This forces the side tabs of the jack nut to
compress against the underside of the roof. Do

not use an air wrench – it might strip the jack
nut.

4

Jack Nut

If the vehicle’s roof has a thick vinyl
covering, trim the vinyl around each
mounting hole to allow the head of
the jack nut to fully contact the
metal roof.

f. Loosen and remove the bolt, leaving the

jack nut secured to the roof.

Jack Nut Secured to Roof

7. Position the mounting blocks back onto the roof,
aligning their holes with the jack nuts.

8. Place the antenna onto the mounting blocks,
aligning the bracket holes with the mounting block
holes.

9. At each mounting hole, insert a

1

⁄4"-20 x 31⁄2" hex
socket screw through the antenna bracket and
mounting block and into the jack nut. Tighten to
secure in place.

Securing the Antenna to the Roof

5

TracVision A7 Installation Guide – ADDENDUM

54-0350 Addendum to Rev. A

WARNING

The mounting screws are prepared
with a thread-locking patch. If these
screws are removed after their
initial installation, the patch’s
locking capacity will be degraded.
Therefore, before reusing the
mounting screws, you MUST apply
threadlocker (Loctite 425) to the
screw threads to avoid a potentially
dangerous condition. Failure to
apply threadlocker to the screw
threads can result in unsecure
mounting.

Cover

Flat-head Screws

Bracket

Mounting Block

Jack Nuts

10. Attach a protective cover onto each bracket. The
covers simply snap into place at the sides of the
brackets.

Attaching the Cover

6

Two different sizes of covers are
provided in the kitpack. Install the
two larger covers on the rear
brackets and the smaller covers on
the front brackets.

TracVision A7

Installation Guide

The TracVision A7 is a state-of-the-art, actively
stabilized antenna system that delivers live satellite
TV to a vehicle, even while the vehicle is moving.

This manual provides detailed instructions on the
proper installation of the TracVision A7 system.
Complete instructions on how to use the system are
provided in the User’s Guide and Quick Start Guide.

Welcome Page

This product must NOT be connected to
any active monitor that is visible to the
vehicle’s driver while the vehicle is in
motion. This product is intended for rear­seat entertainment only.

KVH Part # 54-0350 Rev. A

© 2006, KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.

Trademarks

KVH and TracVision are registered trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.

Programming, pricing, terms, and conditions are subject to change. Pricing
residential. Taxes not included. Receipt of DIRECTV programming is subject
to the DIRECTV Customer Agreement, a copy of which is provided at
DIRECTV.com/legal and in your first bill.

DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo, DIRECTV INTERACTIVE, TOTAL
CHOICE, DIRECTV HOME SERVICES, FREEVIEW, and DIRECT TICKET
are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. All trademarks, marks, names, or product
names referenced in this publication are the property of their respective
owners, and KVH neither endorses nor otherwise sponsors any such
products or services referred to herein.

Macrovision Information – Macrovision is a registered trademark of
Macrovision Corporation. This device incorporates an anticopy process
technology that is protected by U.S. patents 4,631,603; 4,577,216; 4,819,098;
and other intellectual property rights. The anticopy process is licensed for
noncommercial, home use only. Reverse engineering or disassembly is
prohibited.

StarSight Information – StarSight features licensed under one or more of the
following patents: 4,706,121; 5,151,789; 5,353,121; 5,353,277; 5,479,266;
5,479,268; and 5,532,754. Use rights reserved.

TruSurround Information – TruSurround and the symbol are trademarks
of SRS Labs, Inc. TruSurround technology is incorporated under license from
SRS Labs, Inc.

ENERGYSTAR Information – ENERGYSTAR and the ENERGYSTAR
certification mark are registered U.S. marks.

TiVo is a registered trademark of TiVo Inc., or its subsidiaries.

Software contained in the TracVision receiver and referenced in this manual
is copyright ©1995-2006 by DIRECTV, Inc. Some features are patent
pending. WatchWizard, PreSelect, TurboTune, and OneLine Guide are
trademarks of Hughes Network Systems. “NFL,” the NFL Shield, and “NFL
SUNDAY TICKET” are registered trademarks of the National Football League
and its affiliates. “NHL,” the NHL Shield, and “NHL CENTER ICE” are
registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. “MLB,” “MLB EXTRA
INNINGS,” “Major League Baseball,” and the Major League Baseball
silhouetted batter logo are service marks of Major League Baseball
Properties, Inc. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyright are used
with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. All other
trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Patent Protection

TracVision A7 is protected by EU Design #000050877-0001; US patents
D493,164; 6,856,300; 6,967,619; and 6,977,614. Other patents pending.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure the correctness and completeness of
the material in this document. No company shall be liable for errors
contained herein. The information in this document is subject to change
without notice. No warranty of any kind is made with regard to this material.

Note on recording programming

Most television programs and films are copyrighted. This means that
someone has legal rights governing the reproduction and distribution of this
material. In certain circumstances, copyright law may apply to private taping
of copyrighted materials. In most cases, it is permissible to record for your
personal use, as long as you do not sell the material. You must act
responsibly in this area–check into the matter if you are unsure.

Some pay-per-view programs may be licensed from producers as “view-only”
programs. These are copyrighted programs, and may not be copied or
reproduced for any purpose without the express written permission of the
copyright owner.

54-0350

ii

TracVision A7 Installation Guide

54-0350

iii

Important Safety Instructions

Important Safety Instructions

-

Please Read

For your safety and protection, please read this entire
Installation Guide before you install the TracVision
system.

Heed Cautions – Be sure to follow all cautions on the
product and in the installation instructions. Cautions
are indicated by a or icon.

Follow Instructions – Be sure to follow all installation
instructions as detailed in this manual.

The following caution appears on the back of the
receiver:

Do not open the receiver’s cover. Opening or
removing the cover may expose you to dangerous
voltage.

To reduce the risk of fire or
electrical shock, do NOT expose the
receiver to rain or moisture and do
NOT insert any objects into the
receiver’s ventilation openings.

Avoid Driver Distraction

It is dangerous to watch television
or operate the remote control while

you are driving a vehicle. The

TracVision A7 is designed
specifically to provide entertainment to vehicle
passengers and should never be connected to
active video screens visible to the vehicle driver
while the vehicle is in motion. Failure by the
driver of a vehicle equipped with a
TracVision A7 to pay full attention to traffic and
road conditions could result in an accident or
collision with personal injury or death resulting.

WARNING!

CAUTION

CAUTION

iv

TracVision A7 Installation Guide

Technical Support

If you need technical assistance when installing the
TracVision A7, please call KVH Technical Support:

Phone:

1-401-847-3327

E-mail: [e-mail]

Activation Department

Once the TracVision A7 system is installed, the user
needs to activate the receiver by calling KVH’s
Activation Department:

Phone: [phone]

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Send Us Your Comments About This Manual

If you have any comments regarding this manual,

please e-mail them to [e-mail]. Your

feedback is greatly appreciated!

54-0350

v

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.1

1-1 Using this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.3

1-2 System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.4

1-3 Inspect Parts and Get Tools . . . . . . . .1.6

1-4 Prepare the Activation Card . . . . . . . .1.7

2 Installing the Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1

2-1 Remove the Shipping Restraints . . . . .2.3

2-2 Mount the Antenna -

Rack Mount Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.4

2-3 Mount the Antenna -

Roof Mount Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.8

2-4 Mount the Antenna -

Hummer Mount Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.12

2-5 Connect the Antenna Cable . . . . . . .2.16

3 Installing the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.1

3-1 Choose the Receiver Location . . . . . .3.3

3-2 Wire the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.3

3-3 Mount the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.10

3-4 Install Batteries in the Remote . . . . .3.10

4 Completing the Installation . . . . . . . . .4.1

4-1 Post-installation Checklist . . . . . . . . . .4.3

4-2 Test the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.5

4-3 Educate the Customer . . . . . . . . . . . .4.7

Appendices

A System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .A.3

54-0350

1.1

Getting Started

1 Getting Started

This section provides a basic overview of this manual and the
TracVision A7 system. It also lists the items you will need to
complete the installation.

Contents

1-1 Using this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.3

1-2 System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.4

1-3 Inspect Parts and Get Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.6

1-4 Prepare the Activation Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.7

1-1 Using this Manual

This manual provides complete instructions for
installing the TracVision A7 system. Throughout this
manual, important information is marked for your
attention by the following icons:

Related Documentation

The following additional documents are provided
with the TracVision A7 system:

Document Description

Receiver User’s Guide Complete operation, setup, and

troubleshooting information

Quick Start Guide Handy quick reference to basic

operation

Product Registration Form Details on registering the

product with KVH

Warranty Statement Warranty terms and conditions

Contents List List of every supplied part

Activation Card Information the owner needs to

activate the receiver

54-0350

1.3

Getting Started

A helpful tip that either directs you to
a related area within the manual or
offers suggestions on getting the
highest quality out of your system.

An alert to important information
regarding procedures, product
specifications, or product use.

Information about installation,
maintenance, troubleshooting, or
other mechanical issues.

An electrical safety warning to help
identify electrical issues that can be a
hazard to either this KVH product or
a user.

Who Should Install the TracVision A7 System

KVH strongly recommends that a KVH-authorized
technician and an assistant install the TracVision A7
system. Installers should have experience installing
electronic equipment on a vehicle and have
knowledge about satellite television.

1-2 System Overview

A complete satellite TV system includes the
TracVision A7 antenna and receiver connected to the
vehicle’s audio/video entertainment system. The
remote control and RF (radio frequency) converter
allow the user to operate the system from anywhere
in the vehicle.

54-0350

1.4

TracVision A7 Installation Guide

TracVision A7 System Diagram (Typical Installation)

KVH is not liable for damage (or related
expenses) caused by improper installation.

TracVision A7 Antenna

Purchased Separately

Vehicle

Receiver

RF Converter

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Remote Control

Mobile Video Display(s)

Vehicle Power
(12 VDC, 50 watts max)

System Components

The TracVision A7 includes the following
components:

Antenna Unit

The antenna unit, mounted on the vehicle’s roof,
houses the phased array, positioning mechanisms,
GPS, low noise block (LNB), and control elements
within a weathertight radome. A single cable
connects the antenna to the receiver inside the
vehicle.

Receiver

The receiver, mounted
inside the vehicle,
decodes satellite
signals from the
antenna unit and sends the signals to the vehicle’s
audio/video system. It also powers and controls the
TracVision antenna.

Remote Control

The backlit wireless RF remote control
allows the user to operate the system
from anywhere in the vehicle. The
remote does not need to be pointed
directly at the receiver for the signal
to be received.

RF Converter

The RF converter receives
RF commands from the
remote control, converts
them to digital signals, and sends them to the receiver
for processing.

54-0350

1.5

Getting Started

1-3 Inspect Parts and Get Tools

1. Unpack the box and ensure it contains everything
shown on the antenna and receiver Contents
Lists. Carefully examine all of the supplied parts
to ensure nothing was damaged in shipment.

Save the packaging in case you need to reship the
system.

2. Gather all of the tools and materials listed below.
You will need these items to complete the
installation.

• Hex socket drivers

• Phillips and flat-head

screwdrivers

• Stepladder

•7⁄16" open-end wrench

• Torque wrench

• Wire cutters

• Silicone sealant or RTV

• Measuring tape

If you use the roof mount kit:

• Fasteners suitable for attaching the four metal
mounting plates to the vehicle’s roof

• Pencil or scribe

If you route the antenna cable through the roof:

• Light hammer and center punch

• Drill and 5⁄32" bit

•

1

⁄2" hole saw

If you cut the antenna cable to length:

• LRC/Augat T1000 crimp tool

(KVH P/N 19-0242; call [phone] to order)

54-0350

1.6

TracVision A7 Installation Guide