KVH Industries LF, SF User Manual

A Guide to TracVision LF/SF

owner’s manual

•Installation Instructions

•User’s Guide

•Technical Manual

Satellite Television

KVH TracVision® LF/SF

TracVision LF/SF Owner’s

Manual Addendum

(ECO # 6857)

The following information applies to Revision D of the TracVision LF/SF Owner’s Manual (KVH Part Number 54-0194).

The DISH 500 mode, in which the SAT SELECT button switches between the two DISH 500 satellites, has been changed to make it easier to use. The following instructions have been updated to reflect this change.

3.5DISH 500 Operation

The DISH 500 service offers programming on two different satellites (Echo 119 and 110). To easily switch between these two satellites, you will need to configure the system for DISH 500 mode, in which the SAT SELECT button selects between just the Echo 119 and 110 satellites.

N E T W O R K

3.5.1Configuring the System for DISH 500 Mode

To configure the TracVision system for DISH 500, follow the steps below.

1.Turn on your receiver, TV, and TracVision system.

2.Using the receiver’s remote control, go to the “Point Dish/Signal Strength” screen (press MENU, 6, 1, 1 (on most models)) and select satellite 119 and transponder 11.

3.When the switchplate’s Status indicator fully illuminates (stops flashing), check the signal strength meter on the TV. If the meter turns green and indicates “Locked–Echostar 119,” skip to step 6.

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1

4.Press the switchplate’s SAT SELECT button for

1 second. When you release the button, the Status indicator starts flashing while the antenna searches for another satellite.

5.When the switchplate’s Status indicator fully illuminates again, check the signal strength meter. If the meter turns green and indicates “Locked– Echostar 119,” proceed to step 6. If the meter stays red, repeat step 4.

6.Press and hold the SAT SELECT button until the Status indicator flashes quickly five times (approximately 5 seconds).

3.5.2 Switching Between DISH 500 Satellites

Once the system is configured for DISH 500 mode, you can easily switch between the 119 and 110 satellites. Simply press the SAT SELECT button to switch from one to the other.

IMPORTANT! Switch between satellites only while the vehicle is stationary or, if your system is a TracVision LF, while you are driving in a straight line. If you try to switch satellites while the vehicle is turning, the antenna may lock onto the wrong satellite. If this occurs, you will need to reset the system to the factory default (as described in the next section) then reconfigure the system for DISH 500 mode (as described in the previous section).

3.5.3 Resetting the System to Factory Default

To reset the system to the factory default, in which the antenna searches for a different satellite whenever the SAT SELECT button is pressed, follow the steps below.

1.Turn off the TracVision system.

2.Press and hold the SAT SELECT button as you turn on the TracVision system.

3.Continue holding down the SAT SELECT button until the Status indicator flashes quickly five times (approximately 5 seconds). When you release the SAT SELECT button, the antenna starts up in the factory default mode.

If you turn off the TracVision system, move the vehicle, then turn the system back on, the antenna may not be able to find the correct satellite upon startup. In this case, you will need to reset the system to the factory default and then reconfigure the system for

DISH 500 mode.

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2

Congratulations!

You have selected one of the most advanced land-mobile satellite tracking systems available today. KVH® Industries’

TracVision® LF/SF is designed for use with DIRECTV®, DISH Network™, and ExpressVu. This manual provides detailed instructions on the proper installation, use, and maintenance of your TracVision LF/SF system. Before using this manual, be sure to check the inside back cover for any addenda, which may detail changes to the manual’s information.

Throughout this manual, important information is marked for your attention by these icons:

	TracVision LF/SF Serial Number
	This serial number will be required
	for all troubleshooting or service
	calls made regarding this product.

Direct questions, comments, or suggestions to:

KVH Industries, Inc.

50 Enterprise Center Middletown, RI 02842-5279 USA Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: www.kvh.com

If you have any comments regarding this manual, please e-mail them to [e-mail]. Your input is greatly appreciated!

KVH Part # 54-0194 Rev. D

© 2004, KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.

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

DIRECTV® is an official trademark of DIRECTV, a unit of GM Hughes Electronics Corporation.

DISH Network™ is an official trademark of

EchoStar Communications Corporation.

ExpressVu is a property of Bell ExpressVu, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Satellite Services.

Table of Contents

1	Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1-1
1.1	Digital Satellite Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1-1
1.2	System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1-1
	1.2.1 TracVision LF/SF Components...............................................	1-2
	1.2.2 Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) ........................................	1-2
1.3	Materials Provided with TracVision LF/SF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1-2
	1.3.1 Additional Materials Required for TracVision LF/SF Use .......	1-3

2	Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2-1
2.1	Choosing the Best Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2-2
2.2	Mounting the Antenna Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2-3
2.3	Connecting System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2-5
	2.3.1 Connecting the Antenna to the Switchplate ...........................	2-6
	2.3.2 Connecting the Antenna to the IRD .......................................	2-6
	2.3.3 Sealing the Cable Access Hole ..............................................	2-8
	2.3.4 Connecting the Switchplate to the IRD ..................................	2-8
	2.3.5 Connecting the Switchplate to Vehicle Power ........................	2-9
	2.3.6 Connecting the IRD Ground Wire...........................................	2-9
	2.3.7 Installing the Switchplate ........................................................	2-9

2.4 Activating the IRD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10

2.5 Checking Out the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10

2.5.1	Checking Out the System Using
	an IRD Data Connection ......................................................	2-10
2.5.2	Checking Out the System Without
	an IRD Data Connection ......................................................	2-12

2.6Configuring TracVision LF/SF for Remote

Satellite Dish Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13

3 Using Your TracVision LF/SF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

3.1 Turning On the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 3.2 Tracking the Correct Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

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	3.2.1 Using the IRD for Satellite Selection ......................................	3-3
	3.2.2 Using the Switchplate for Satellite Selection ..........................	3-3
	3.2.2.1 The Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-4
3.3	Turning Off the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-4
3.4	Watching Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-4
3.5	DISH 500 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-5
	3.5.1 Configuring the System for DISH 500 Mode ..........................	3-5
	3.5.2 Switching Between DISH 500 Satellites.................................	3-6
	3.5.3 Resetting the System to Factory Default................................	3-6

4	Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4-1
4.1	Causes and Remedies for Common Operational Issues . . . . . .		4-1
	4.1.1 Blown Fuse or Improper Wiring ..............................................		4-2
	4.1.2 Dew or Rain Pooling on Dome ...............................................		4-2
	4.1.3	Satellite Signal Blocked ..........................................................	4-2
	4.1.4	Satellite Coverage Issue.........................................................	4-3
	4.1.5 Vehicle Turning During Startup (TracVision LF only)..............		4-3
	4.1.6 Incorrect or Loose RF Connectors .........................................		4-3
	4.1.7 Type of Multiswitch Used ........................................................		4-3
	4.1.8 Stationary Use Only (TracVision SF only) ..............................		4-3
4.2	IRD Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4-4
	4.2.1	IRD Wiring ..............................................................................	4-4
	4.2.2	AC Power Fluctuating .............................................................	4-4
	4.2.3 No IRD Data Connection........................................................		4-4
	4.2.4 EchoStar IRD Activation Check..............................................		4-4
	4.2.5 Failed IRD Status Check ........................................................		4-5
	4.2.6	IRD Faulty...............................................................................	4-5
4.3	Antenna Gyro and LNB Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4-6
4.4	Computer Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4-6
4.5	Maintenance Port Parser Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4-7

ii

5 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1

5.1 Warranty/Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1

5.2 Preventive Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1

5.3 Replaceable Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2

5.4 Field Replaceable Unit Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

5.4.1 PCB Removal and Replacement............................................		5-5
5.4.2	Antenna Gyro Assembly (TracVision LF only)........................	5-6
5.4.3	Antenna LNB Replacement ....................................................	5-8

5.5 Preparation for Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10

Appendix A System Specifications

Appendix B Comprehensive System Wiring Diagram

Appendix C Switchplate Template

Appendix D EchoStar IRD Activation Procedure

Appendix E Startup Data Sequences

Appendix F Maintenance Port Parser Commands

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Introduction

1 Introduction

1.1Digital Satellite Television

DIRECTV®, DISH Network™, and ExpressVu systems transmit digital audio and video data from land-based transmitters to a satellite “parked” above the equator. Each satellite relays the signals in spot beams covering the continental United States. TracVision LF/SF automatically identifies, locks onto, and receives signals from the appropriate satellite. TracVision SF is designed for stationary use only; TracVision LF works while your vehicle is at rest and in motion.

1.2System Overview

A complete satellite TV system includes the TracVision LF/SF connected to an IRD (satellite TV receiver) and a television set. A desktop or laptop computer is used to conduct diagnostics. The complete system is illustrated in Figure 1-1. System specifications and a wiring diagram are provided in Appendices A and B, respectively.

KVH offers an upgrade kit (KVH Part #02-1026) that adds in-motion tracking capability to the TracVision SF, allowing you to receive satellite signals while on the move.

		Figure 1-1
TracVision Antenna		TracVision LF/SF System
		Configuration
Radome		11-16 Volts DC
		2.5-3.5 Amps
Baseplate	Switchplate
		Vehicle
	Data/Power	Power
	Data (optional)	PC Maintenance
RF2	RF1

TV 2

Satellite Receiver 2

Satellite Receiver 1

TV 1

Laptop PC

Options Purchased Separately

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A Guide to TracVision LF/SF

On-screen messages are not available with a DISH Network IRD.

1.2.1 TracVision LF/SF Components

The antenna unit includes the antenna positioning mechanism, signal front end, power supply and control elements. The antenna is a parabolic dish mounting a dual-output low noise block (LNB) converter with built-in preamplifier. A molded ABS radome encloses the baseplate and is secured in place with standard fasteners. Connectors on the back of the baseplate join the power, signal, and control cabling from units inside the vehicle.

1.2.2 Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD)

The IRD (purchased separately) receives satellite signals from the antenna unit for signal decoding, processing, and channel selection, and sends the signals to the TV set for viewing. In addition, messages can be sent from the IRD to the antenna unit and messages can be received from the antenna unit for display on the television screen. The IRD also provides the interface for the user to activate authorization for reception. Please refer to the User’s Manual provided with your selected IRD for complete operating instructions.

Table 1-1

TracVision LF/SF Packing List

Cables for the TracVision LF/SF are stored beneath the antenna unit during shipping.

1.3Materials Provided with TracVision LF/SF

Table 1-1 lists the units, cables, and materials packed in the TracVision LF/SF package by name and KVH part number.

Component	KVH Part No.
Antenna Unit (TracVision LF)	01-0225-15
Antenna Unit (TracVision SF)	01-0225-14
RF Cable (28 ft)*	32-0417-28
Data/Power Cable (28 ft)*	32-0730-28
Kitpack**	72-0120
Installation and Operation Manual	54-0194

*RF and data/power cables may be supplied separately.

**A complete listing of kitpack contents is provided in Table 2-2.

1-2

Introduction

1.3.1Additional Materials Required for TracVision LF/SF Use

To make full use of your new TracVision LF/SF and receive satellite TV, you will need to provide/purchase the following:

•Television

•Appropriate IRD for your selected satellite TV service

You can purchase and/or activate an IRD directly from KVH! Call KVH at 1-888-584-4163 for details.

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Installation

2 Installation

TracVision LF/SF is designed for simple installation and setup. Just follow these easy steps:

Step		Refer to Section...
1.	Choose the antenna location	2.1
2.	Mount the antenna unit	2.2
3.	Connect the system components	2.3
4.	Activate the IRD	2.4
5.	Check out the system	2.5

Tools and Materials Required

•Electric drill

•3⁄16"-drill bit and 3⁄4" hole saw and auger bit

•#2 Phillips and #0 flat tip screwdrivers

•Silicone sealant or RTV

•7⁄16"-open end wrench

•Adhesive suitable for specific roof construction and materials (e.g., Liquid Nails)

•Rivet gun and 3⁄16"-rivets (or other fastener suitable for specific roof construction)

•(Recommended) PC with terminal emulation software such as Windows Hyperterminal or PROCOMM and a DB9 (male-to-female) PC data cable

Kitpack Contents

Table 2-2 lists the materials provided in the kitpack.

Table 2-1

Installation Process

Plan the entire installation before proceeding! Take into account component placement, cable running distances between units, and accessibility to the equipment after installation.

While some DIRECTV IRDs offer on-screen messages, it is recommended that a PC be available for all installations of DIRECTV, EchoStar, and ExpressVu.

	Part	Qty.	KVH Part No.	Table 2-2
				Kitpack Contents
	Switchplate Assembly	1	02-1236-01
	Tie-wraps	5	22-0013
	3⁄8" Hole Plugs	2	19-0282-06
	RJ11 Handset Cable	1	32-0724-25
	Clam Shell Ventilator	1	19-0230
	#6 x 3⁄4" Thread-forming Screws	5	14-0298-12
	IRD Ground Wire (50 ft)	1	32-0583-50

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A Guide to TracVision LF/SF

2.1Choosing the Best Location

•Since the TracVision antenna requires a clear view of the southern sky to receive satellite signals, the ideal antenna site has an unobstructed view of the horizon/satellite all around.

•Keep the antenna clear of any obstructions on the roof (e.g., air conditioners). The antenna requires a 15º to 75º look angle to receive satellite signals.

Figure 2-1

Antenna Blockage

Blocked!

TracVision Antenna

Air Conditioner

Vehicle Roof

•Consider the location of the antenna relative to the location of any equipment or necessary wiring within the vehicle.

•Be sure to mount the antenna on a horizontal surface with a minimum roof (or other mounting surface) radius of 250". In other words, when placed flat on the mounting surface, the mounting plates should be less than 7⁄16" above the mounting surface (see Figure 2-2). Any larger gap will warp the baseplate and seriously damage the antenna.

Figure 2-2

Maximum Mounting Surface Slope

716" Maximum Gap

2-2

Installation

2.2Mounting the Antenna Unit

1.Make sure that you have chosen a suitable mounting location based upon the guidelines in

Section 2.1, “Choosing the Best Location.”

2.Remove the antenna unit from its shipping carton.

3.At the bottom of the antenna baseplate, cut the tie-wrap and pull it out of the baseplate. Then seal the two holes with the plugs provided in the kitpack. The tie-wrap secures the antenna’s LNB for shipping (as shown in Figure 2-3). Once you remove this shipping restraint, be sure to handle the antenna unit with care to avoid damage.

Shipping Restraint (Tie-wrap)

4.Position the antenna unit in the desired location on the centerline of the vehicle with the antenna’s forward mounting plate arrows facing the front of the vehicle. The proper orientation is illustrated in Figure 2-4.

Vehicle

Centerline

Baseplate

Connectors

Vehicle

Centerline

Front of

Mounting Plate

Vehicle

(1 of 4)

Always lift the antenna unit by the gray baseplate, never by the radome!

Figure 2-3

Removing the Shipping Restraint

Once you remove the shipping restraint, handle the antenna unit carefully. Improper handling may damage the unit.

Figure 2-4

Proper Orientation of

the Antenna Unit

Front
Vehicle
	of

Top View

Side View

Forward Mounting

Plate Arrows

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A Guide to TracVision LF/SF

If the roof’s mounting surface is not perfectly flat as KVH recommends, make sure the baseplate does not warp when you attach the antenna’s mounting plates. Refer to

Section 2.1, “Choosing the Best Location,” for further details.

5.Using the four mounting plates as templates, drill 20 3⁄16" holes through the roof of the vehicle.

6.Apply construction adhesive to the bottom of the antenna’s four mounting plates. If using a liquid construction adhesive, apply beads to the mounting plates in a zig-zag pattern.

7.Attach the mounting plates to the roof using 3⁄16"-diameter rivets (or appropriate fasteners). Seal all rivet heads and edges with silicone.

8.Mark a location on the roof for the cable access hole to permit convenient cable access to the antenna’s baseplate connectors. Drill the 3⁄4" cable access hole in the vehicle’s roof.

2-4

Installation

2.3Connecting System Components

The following sections provide instructions for properly wiring the antenna unit to the components inside the vehicle.

Locating the Switchplate

Before running cables, you need to determine the location for the TracVision LF/SF switchplate.

1.The switchplate should be installed in a dry, flat location within reach of the cables that will connect to the antenna unit.

2.Once you’ve decided on a suitable location, create a panel cutout in the mounting surface. Figure 2-5 illustrates the mounting dimensions and a full-size template has been provided in Appendix C. All connecting cables will be routed through this cutout.

2"

2.5"

Figure 2-5

Switchplate Cutout Dimensions

Figure 2-6 shows the antenna unit’s baseplate connectors. Figure 2-7 on the following page shows the switchplate’s connectors. Refer to these figures when connecting cables to the antenna unit and the switchplate.

Figure 2-6

Antenna Baseplate Connectors

RF2 Data/Power RF1

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A Guide to TracVision LF/SF

Figure 2-7	Input Power	Ground
Switchplate Connectors	(+12 VDC)	IRD Ground Wire

Switchplate Mounting

Hole (1 of 2)

RJ11 Jack

(Data Cable to IRD - Optional)

Data/Power Connector

Maintenance Port

(DB9 Connector)

KVH recommends the use of RG-6 or RG-11 (75 ohms) cable for RF wiring. Use of non-RG-6 or RG-11 (75 ohms) cables will result in degraded performance. The KVH warranty does not cover degraded performance due to improper wiring.

When shipped from the factory, the antenna’s RF connectors are protected with caps. Leave the cap installed on the RF2 connector unless you are going to connect a second RF cable to the

TracVision LF/SF.

2.3.1Connecting the Antenna to the Switchplate

1.Connect one end of the antenna data/power cable to the antenna’s data/power connector and lock in place (see Figure 2-6).

2.Route the other end of the data/power cable down through the cable access hole in the vehicle’s roof and out through the switchplate panel cutout.

3.Connect the data/power cable to the switchplate’s data/power connector and lock in place (see Figure 2-7).

2.3.2 Connecting the Antenna to the IRD

1.Route an RF cable up through the roof’s cable access hole.

2.Connect the RF cable to the antenna’s RF1 connector (see Figure 2-6). Once the cable is securely connected, loosen the sealing nut at the base of the RF1 connector and tighten it onto the end of the RF cable.

3.Connect the other end of the RF cable to the IRD’s SATELLITE IN connector.

2-6

Installation

Installing Two IRDs and TVs

To connect a second TV and IRD to the TracVision LF/SF system, you must connect a second RF cable to the antenna’s RF2 connector (see Figure 2-6). Route the other end of the RF cable down into the vehicle and connect it directly to the second IRD.

Connecting Three or More IRDs and TVs

To install three or more IRD/TV pairs, an active multiswitch (Channel Master model 6214IFD or equivalent) must be placed between the antenna unit and the IRDs. Figure 2-8 illustrates typical wiring arrangements for multiple IRDs. If more than four IRDs are required, contact KVH for additional wiring instructions. Mount the multiswitch unit in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction sheet.

TracVision IRD Data Cable

Connector on Switchplate (Optional)

TracVision RF Connectors

RF1

RF2

DC Power

DC In

RHCP

VHF/UHF

LHCP

+13V

+18V

Multiswitch

Out 1

Out 2

Out 3

Out 4

Figure 2-8

Installing Three or Four IRDs Using an Active Multiswitch

IRD #1

IRD #2

IRD #3

IRD #4

1.Connect the RF cable tagged “RF1” to the multiswitch input labeled “LNB RHCP +13V.”

2.Connect a second RF cable to the multiswitch input labeled “LNB LHCP +18V.”

3.Connect the multiswitch outputs to individual IRD inputs. Use RG-6 cable terminated with

F-type connectors for all RF connections.

If you are connecting multiple IRDs, attach the data cable to the master IRD. The master IRD must remain on for the secondary IRDs to function properly.

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A Guide to TracVision LF/SF

Figure 2-9

Installing the Clamshell Ventilator

4.Terminate all unused output connectors with

75 ohm DC blocks (Channel Master #7184, Radio Shack #15-1259 or equivalent).

2.3.3 Sealing the Cable Access Hole

Once the RF and data/power cables are connected to the antenna, you need to seal and cover the cable access hole to protect against leakage.

1.Completely seal the cable access hole with silicone sealant or RTV.

2.Install the clamshell ventilator, supplied in the kitpack, over the cable access hole using three of the supplied #6 screws (see Figure 2-9).

#6 Screws

EchoStar IRDs cannot be connected to the switchplate due to incompatibility. Satellite selection must be done manually through the switchplate’s SAT SELECT button.

Clamshell

Ventilator

ToTracVision

Antenna

RF & Data/Power

Cables

Cable Access Hole

(in Roof of Vehicle)

2.3.4Connecting the Switchplate to the IRD

(Optional)

The switchplate includes an RJ11 jack for connecting the system to an IRD’s low-speed data port. This allows a compatible DIRECTV IRD to communicate with the antenna for automatic satellite selection. Without this data connection, you will need to manually select the satellite using the switchplate’s SAT SELECT button (see Section 3.2, “Tracking the Correct Satellite,” for details).

1.Connect one end of the supplied data cable (a standard RJ11 telephone handset cord) to the switchplate’s RJ11 jack (see Figure 2-7).

2.Route the other end of the data cable to the IRD and connect it to the IRD’s low-speed data port.

2-8

Installation

2.3.5Connecting the Switchplate to Vehicle Power

The switchplate must be connected to a +12 VDC, 2.5-3.5 amp power supply to operate.

1.Disconnect vehicle power by removing the appropriate vehicle fuse.

2.Run a cable from vehicle’s power (11-16 VDC) out through the switchplate panel cutout.

3.Connect the power cable to the switchplate’s power terminals as shown in Figure 2-7.

Before connecting the antenna unit to vehicle power, remove the appropriate vehicle fuse to prevent a short circuit. Replace the fuse after the connection to vehicle power is complete.

2.3.6 Connecting the IRD Ground Wire

A grounding wire has been provided to connect your IRD to a suitable ground and protect the system. Attach the grounding wire to any suitable screw on the rear panel of the IRD with a good contact with the IRD chassis. The other end should be connected to a suitable ground, ideally the ground connector on the switchplate (see Figure 2-7). Each IRD that you connect to the TracVision system should have a similar ground connection.

If you are using a multiswitch, you can ground the multiswitch instead of the individual IRDs.

2.3.7 Installing the Switchplate

After completing the switchplate wiring, you need to install the switchplate itself.

1.Carefully fit the switchplate assembly into the panel cutout (made in Step 2 of Section 2.3, “Connecting System Components”) until the switchplate is flush to the mounting surface.

2.Secure the switchplate to the mounting surface using the two supplied #6 thread-forming screws.

3.Reinstall the vehicle fuse removed in Step 1 of

Section 2.3.5, “Connecting the Switchplate to Vehicle Power.”

Be sure to connect a ground wire from each IRD to a suitable ground, ideally the switchplate’s ground connector.

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A Guide to TracVision LF/SF

If a need arises to paint the radome, ONLY use non-metallic automotive paint to avoid degrading the RF signal strength and the reception quality.

2.4Activating the IRD

KVH makes it easy to activate your IRD. Just call KVH at 1-888-584-4163 and ask for IRD Activation (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST). For other options, please refer to the user manual that accompanied your IRD.

Note that EchoStar IRDs that have not been activated within several months of manufacture require additional steps to complete the process. Refer to Appendix D for complete details.

2.5Checking Out the System

If the system is connected to an IRD’s low-speed data port (via an RJ11 cable from the switchplate), follow the procedure in

Section 2.5.1, “Checking Out the System Using an IRD Data Connection.” If the system is not connected to an IRD’s low-speed data port, follow the procedure in Section 2.5.2, “Checking Out the System Without an IRD Data Connection.”

All IRDs are susceptible to AC power fluctuations that can result in the IRD locking up and requiring a reset. Refer to Section 4.2, “IRD Troubleshooting,” for a solution to this issue.

2.5.1Checking Out the System Using an IRD Data Connection

Turn on the IRD and press the switchplate’s POWER button to power up the TracVision LF/SF system. Observe messages on your TV screen to verify proper operation. Some messages originate in the IRD, others are generated in the

TracVision LF/SF circuits.

Depending on your choice of satellite TV service and IRD, the system may display several text messages on the television screen to aid in monitoring TracVision LF/SF performance. These messages are not displayed when the IRD is displaying the Signal Strength Meter on the TV screen. The messages and their meanings are described in Table 2-3 on the following page.

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