TracVision M9
Standard Configuration
Installation Guide
TracVision M9
TracVision M9 Installation Guide
Standard Configuration with Master Control Unit (MCU)
These instructions explain how to install the TracVision M9 satellite TV antenna system on a vessel. Complete instructions on how to use the system are provided in the User’s Guide.
Installation Steps
1. |
Inspect Parts and Get Tools... |
3 |
8. |
Wire the Receiver(s) and MCU...10 |
|
2. |
Plan the Antenna Installation...4 |
9. |
Connect Power... |
11 |
|
3. |
Plan the MCU Installation... |
5 |
10. |
Mount the MCU... |
12 |
4. |
Prepare the Antenna Site...6 |
|
11. |
Select Satellites... |
13 |
5. |
Wire the Antenna...7 |
|
12. |
Calibrate the Internal Sensor...14 |
|
6. |
Mount the Antenna...8 |
|
13. |
Educate the Customer...16 |
|
7. |
Remove the Restraints...9 |
|
|
|
|
Who Should Install the System?
To ensure a safe and effective installation, KVH recommends that a KVH-authorized marine technician install the TracVision antenna. KVH-authorized technicians have the tools and electronics expertise necessary to install the system. To find a technician near you, visit www.kvh.com/wheretogetservice.
Antenna LNB Types
The installation process differs slightly depending on the type of LNB (low noise block) that is installed in the antenna (circular or linear). These differences are noted throughout this manual. Appendix C on page 25 notes the type of LNB required for each region and satellite.
Technical Support
If you need technical assistance, please contact KVH Technical Support:
North/South America, Australia: |
Europe, Middle East, Asia: |
Phone: +1 401 847-3327 |
Phone: +45 45 160 180 |
E-mail: techs@kvh.com |
E-mail: support@kvh.dk |
KVH, TracVision, and the unique light-colored dome with contrasting baseplate are registered trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc. |
|
All other trademarks are property of their respective companies. The information in this document is subject to change without notice. |
1 |
No company shall be liable for errors contained herein. © 2007 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved. 54-0418 Rev. C |
1 
Inspect Parts and Get Tools
Before you begin, follow these steps to make sure you have everything you need to complete the installation.
a.Unpack the box and ensure it contains everything shown on the Kitpack Contents List. Save the packaging for future use.
IMPORTANT!
Always lift the antenna by the baseplate and never by the radome or any portion of the internal antenna assembly (see Figure 1).
b.Carefully examine all of the supplied parts to ensure nothing was damaged in shipment.
c.Gather all of the tools and materials listed below. You will need these items to complete the installation.
•Flat-head and Phillips-head screwdrivers
•Electric drill and 1/2" (13 mm) and #29 drill bits
•17 mm socket wrench
•9/16" open-end wrench
•Light hammer and center punch
•Adhesive tape
•Scriber or pencil
•Wire strippers
•15-amp quick-tripping circuit breaker
•RG-6 or RG-11 RF coax cable(s) with Snap-N-Seal® F-connectors for connecting the antenna to the receiver(s) (see Step 4e on page 6 to determine the number and type of cables required)
•Connector installation tool (Augat IT1000 - KVH part #19-0242)
•Power cable for connecting vessel power to the MCU (see Figure 2)
•Satellite TV receiver and TV
Figure 1: TracVision M9 System Components
Antenna
Radome
Baseplate
Connectors
(w/Logo Plate)
MCU (Master Control Unit)
Display
Buttons
Figure 2: Power Cable Guidelines
Cable Length |
Use Cable Gauge |
|
|
< 40 ft (12 m) |
12AWG (4mm2) |
40-70 ft (12-21 m) |
10AWG (6mm2) |
3
2 
Plan the Antenna Installation
Before you begin, consider the following antenna installation guidelines:
•Minimize blockage. The antenna requires a clear view of the sky to receive satellite TV (see Figure 3). The fewer obstructions, the better the system will perform.
•Make sure the mounting surface is wide enough to accommodate the antenna’s base (see Figure 4). Also make sure it is flat, level, strong enough to support the antenna’s weight (85 lbs, 38.6 kg), and rigid enough to withstand vibration.
Figure 3: Blockage from Obstruction
Blocked! |
Look angle |
|
Antenna |
||
|
Mast
Vessel Platform
•Be sure to preserve enough free space outside the access hatch to allow a technician to
remove the hatch and perform maintenance. |
Figure 4: Antenna Dimensions |
• Select a location that is as close as possible to |
|
the intersection of the vessel’s fore-and-aft |
|
centerline and midships. |
Side View |
|
|
• Select a location that is not too high above the |
|
waterline. Limit the height above the |
38.86" |
waterline to less than 1/2 the vessel’s length. |
(98.7 cm) |
|
•Do not mount the antenna at the same level as the radar because the radar’s energy might
overload the antenna. Ideally, you should |
|
|
Access Hatch |
|
mount the antenna 4 ft (1.2 m) above and 4 ft |
|
|
|
|
(1.2 m) away from the radar. |
|
17" |
|
|
• Select a location that is at least 4 ft (1.2 m) |
|
(43.2 cm) |
|
|
|
ø35" |
|
||
away from any magnetized materials, large |
|
|
||
|
(ø88.9 cm) |
|
||
ferrous masses, cranes, engines, derricks, |
|
|
||
4x ø.50" |
12" |
Bottom View |
||
other antennas, devices with DC motors, |
||||
(4x ø13 mm) |
(30.5 cm) |
|||
electric winches, high-amperage cables, or |
|
|
6" |
|
|
|
|
||
battery banks. The antenna’s internal |
|
|
(15.2 cm) |
|
|
|
|
||
compass sensor performs best in a benign |
|
|
6" |
|
magnetic environment. |
|
|
(15.2 cm) |
|
• If you are mounting the antenna on a steel |
|
|
12" |
|
vessel, use an aluminum, brass, plastic, or |
|
|
||
|
|
(30.5 cm) |
||
wood platform (NOT steel or iron) to position |
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
the antenna at least 4 ft (1.2 m) above and 6 ft |
|
|
|
|
(1.8 m) away from the steel surface. |
|
|
FWD |
|
|
|
|
4
3 
Plan the MCU Installation
Before you begin, consider the following MCU installation guidelines:
•Select an MCU mounting location in a dry, well-ventilated area belowdecks away from any heat sources or salt spray.
•Be sure the MCU’s front panel will be easily accessible to the user. The owner will use the MCU’s buttons to control the antenna.
•Be sure to leave enough room at the MCU’s rear panel for connecting the cables (see Figure 5 for MCU dimensions).
•Since the supplied data/power cable is 100 ft (30 m) long, the MCU should be located within 100 ft (30 m) of the antenna.
•The kitpack contains parts for mounting the MCU either to a horizontal surface (using Velcro) or to a vertical surface (using the supplied flush mount bracket).
Prepare the MCU Mounting Site (Flush Mount only)
NOTE: Skip this step if you plan to mount the MCU to a horizontal surface instead.
a.Using the MCU flush mounting template provided at the end of this manual, mark and cut out a hole in the mounting surface to accommodate the flush mount bracket (see Figure 6).
b.Using the same template, mark the locations for the four MCU mounting holes.
c.Using a #29 drill bit, drill a 0.136" (3.45 mm) hole at the four mounting hole locations. Later, you will mount the MCU using four #8 screws.
Figure 5: MCU Dimensions
Top View |
0.66" |
|
||||
(16.7 mm) |
||||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.18" (233.2 mm)
Front View
2.52" (64.1 mm)
8.1" (205.7 mm)
Figure 6: MCU Mounting Holes Layout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.87" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.63" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.62" |
|
(225 mm) |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
(16 mm) |
|
|
|
|
(194 mm) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
1.83" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
3.08" (46 mm) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
(78 mm) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
.136" ( 3.45 mm) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
.63" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(16 mm) Mounting Hole (x4)
5
4 
Prepare the Antenna Site
Once you have identified a suitable antenna mounting site, according to the guidelines provided in Step 2, follow these steps to drill the mounting holes and cable access hole to prepare the site for installation.
a.Unfold the antenna mounting template (supplied in the Customer Welcome Kit) and place it onto the mounting surface. Make sure the “FWD” (forward) arrow points toward the bow and is parallel to the vessel’s centerline (see Figure 7).
NOTE: You don’t need to mount the antenna exactly on the vessel’s centerline, but the antenna’s forward arrow must be parallel to it.
b.Use the template to mark the locations for the four mounting holes on the mounting surface.
c.Drill a 1/2" (13 mm) hole at the four mounting hole locations you marked in Step 4b. Later, you will insert four M10 bolts from below to secure the antenna to the mounting surface.
d.Mark a location for the cable access hole, either in the center of the antenna mounting hole pattern or in an area aft of the antenna. Later, you will route the data/power and RF cables through this hole and into the vessel.
IMPORTANT!
If you wish to route the cables through the bottom of the antenna’s baseplate, rather than connecting at the side, you will need to modify the antenna’s baseplate. See Appendix A on page 19 for details.
e.Drill the cable access hole in the location you marked in Step 4d. Be sure to size the hole appropriately to accommodate the data/ power cable and all required RF cables (see Figure 8 and Figure 9 to determine the number and type of RF cables required). Smooth the edges of the hole to protect the cables.
Figure 7: Antenna Mounting Holes Layout
Figure 8: Number of RF Coax Cables Required
Connecting to: |
# RF Cables |
System with Dual LNB |
|
1 receiver |
1 |
2 or more receivers |
2* |
System with Quad LNB (Europe Only) |
|
1 receiver |
1 |
2 receivers |
2 |
3 receivers |
3 |
4 or more receivers |
4** |
*Multiswitch required for 3 or more receivers.
**Multiswitch required for 5 or more receivers. See Appendix B on page 23 for details.
Figure 9: RF Cable Guidelines
Cable Length |
Use Cable Type |
≤ 75 ft (23 m) |
RG-6 |
> 75 ft (23 m) |
RG-11 |
6
5 
Wire the Antenna
Follow these steps to connect the data/power and RF cables to the antenna.
IMPORTANT!
If you wish to route the cables through the bottom of the antenna’s baseplate, rather than connecting at the side, see Appendix A on page 19 for supplemental instructions.
a.Route the data/power and RF cables belowdecks through the cable access hole. Leave an adequate service loop, approximately 8" (20 cm) of slack, in the cables for easy serviceability. Later, you will connect the data/power cable to the MCU and the RF cable(s) to the receiver(s).
b.Position the antenna in place over the mounting holes with the baseplate’s connectors (see Figure 10) facing the stern.
c.Connect the data/power cable to the antenna (see Figure 11 and Figure 12); hand-tighten.
IMPORTANT!
Be sure to properly align the data/power cable with the antenna’s baseplate connector before tightening. Connecting the cable at an angle may damage the cable’s center tines.
d.Using a 9/16" wrench, connect the RF cable(s) to the antenna. If you need to connect only one RF cable, connect the cable to the antenna’s RF1 connector (see Figure 12). Connect any additional RF cables to the RF2, RF3, and RF4 connectors.
TIP: If you connect two or more RF cables, label both ends of each cable to match the connector. This will make it easier to identify the cables later.
e.Place the rear logo plate over the cables, so each cable exits the proper opening (see Figure 13). Using six M4 screws, attach the logo plate to the baseplate.
Figure 10: Antenna Connectors
Connectors
Figure 11: Data/Power Cable Connections
MCU |
Antenna |
F-type Connector |
N-type Connector |
Figure 12: Antenna Baseplate Cable Connections
Data/
RF3 RF1 Power RF2 RF4
Figure 13: Rear Logo Plate Installed
M4 Screw (x6) 
RF1 Cable |
Data/Power Cable |
7
6 
Mount the Antenna
Follow these steps to mount the antenna to the mounting surface.
a.Place the antenna baseplate over the holes drilled in the mounting surface.
b.Make sure the four holes in the baseplate line up with the four holes in the mounting surface. Also make sure the connectors face the stern.
c.At each of the four baseplate mounting holes, place an M10 lock washer and flat washer on an M10 bolt and insert the bolt into the hole from below (see Figure 14).
IMPORTANT!
Make sure the mounting screws do not extend further than 0.4" (10 mm) into the antenna’s baseplate. Inserting the screws any further will damage the antenna.
d.Tighten all four bolts until the four rubber feet are bottomed against the mounting surface.
IMPORTANT!
Do not block the four small drain holes in the bottom of the antenna. These drain holes ensure that any moisture within the antenna will be able to escape.
Figure 14: Mounting the Antenna (Side View)
10 mm max.
Antenna Base 
Mount Surface 
M10 Flat Washer (x4)
M10 Lock Washer (x4)
M10 x 50 mm Bolt (x4)
8
7 
Remove the Restraints
Inside the antenna, three heavy-duty tie-wraps prevent the antenna assembly from moving during shipment. Follow these steps to remove these shipping restraints.
a.Remove the eight #10-32 Phillips-head screws securing the radome to the baseplate (see Figure 15). Carefully lift the radome straight up until clear of the antenna assembly and set it aside in a safe place.
TIP: If you keep the radome topside, secure it with a lanyard to prevent it from falling overboard.
b.Unfasten the two tie-wraps securing the reflector to the antenna frame (see Figure 16). To unfasten the tie-wraps, release the tab with a flat-head screwdriver.
c.Unfasten the tie-wrap securing the antenna frame to the sensor bracket (see Figure 17).
d.Save the tie-wraps for future use; the customer will need to reinstall them if he/she needs to relocate or reship the antenna.
e.Reinstall the radome onto the antenna. Secure in place with the eight #10-32 screws you removed in Step 7a.
f.Install a protective plastic screw cap (supplied in the kitpack) over each radome screw.
Figure 15: Removing the Radome
#10-32 Screw (x8)
Figure 16: Locations of Shipping Restraints
Tie-wrap |
Tie-wrap |
Tie-wrap
Figure 17: Close-up of Antenna Frame Shipping Restraint
Sensor Bracket Tie-wrap |
Frame |
9
8 
Wire the Receiver(s) and MCU
Follow these steps to connect the antenna to the belowdecks equipment.
IMPORTANT!
If you wish to connect three or more receivers to the antenna, see Appendix B on page 23.
NOTE: System wiring diagrams are provided in Appendix F on page 31.
a.If you are connecting two receivers to the TracVision system, decide which receiver will be the primary receiver. The primary receiver controls satellite selection.
NOTE: The secondary receiver will only be able to select a channel carried on the satellite that is currently selected on the primary receiver.
b.Connect the RF1 cable from the antenna to the “Satellite In” jack on the primary receiver (see Figure 18).
c.If you are connecting two receivers, connect the RF2 cable from the antenna to the “Satellite In” jack on the secondary receiver.
IMPORTANT!
Be sure all receivers are grounded properly. Connect a ground wire from the chassis of each receiver to the MCU’s DC return. This will ensure all system grounds are the same potential.
d.Connect the receiver(s) to the customer’s television(s). Follow the instructions in the receiver’s manual.
e.Connect the data/power cable from the antenna to the “Output to Antenna” jack on the MCU (see Figure 19). Do not overtighten the connection; finger-tight is sufficient.
Figure 18: Receiver Wiring
Antenna
MCU
Data/Power
Secondary Receiver - Optional
|
TV ANT/CABLE IN |
|
|
RF2 |
R |
L |
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUT TO TV |
|
|
|
AUDIO |
VIDEO S-VIDEO |
PHONE JACK |
SATELLITE IN
|
|
Gnd To MCU |
|
|
DC Return (-) |
|
Primary Receiver (controls satellite selection) |
|
|
TV ANT/CABLE IN |
|
RF1 |
R |
L |
|
|
|
|
OUT TO TV |
|
|
AUDIO |
VIDEO S-VIDEO PHONE JACK |
SATELLITE IN
Gnd To MCU
DC Return (-)
Figure 19: MCU Rear Panel
Output to Antenna
10
9 
Connect Power
Follow these steps to connect power to the MCU. The MCU supplies power to the antenna.
a. Before you begin, disconnect vessel power.
CAUTION
For your own safety, disconnect vessel power and make sure the circuit is dead before you connect any power wires.
b.Connect a power cable to 24 VDC (2.5 amps) vessel power (for cable specifications, see Figure 2 on page 3). Power supplied to the antenna MUST NOT fall below 18 VDC or exceed 30 VDC.
NOTE: If a 24 VDC power supply is not available, install an AC/DC converter that supplies 24 VDC (KVH part #19-0488 or equivalent).
c.KVH recommends you install a 15-amp circuit breaker between power and the MCU. The MCU does not have an on/off switch.
d.Install the ferrite coil, supplied in the kitpack, onto your vessel power cable to help reduce conducted emissions. Make two loops in the cable and clamp the coil around the loops (see Figure 20). This ferrite coil must be installed to comply with the CE standard.
e.Find the plastic power plug supplied in the kitpack (see Figure 21). Insert your vessel power wires into the plug’s power (+) and ground (-) terminals. Tighten the plug’s terminal screws to secure the wires in place.
f.Plug the power connector plug into the “Power In” jack on the MCU. Secure in place with the two retaining screws.
g.Connect the MCU ground wire (see Figure 22) to a suitable ground point.
Figure 20: Ferrite Coil Clamped onto Power Cable
Ferrite Coil
Figure 21: Power Plug
Terminal Screw (x2)
Retaining Screw (x2)
Power Ground
Figure 22: MCU Power Connection
Power In
MCU Ground Wire 
11
Loading...