Rover KD1500 Owner's Manual

Automatic Satellite TV Antenna

KD1500

Owner’s Manual

®

11200 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55438-2453

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

21443 REV B

Solutions for Mobile Markets

www.kingcontrols.com

IMPORTANT!

The satellite TV market is expanding and changing. The information in this manual was accurate at the time
of printing. If your Rover™ Satellite Antenna does not operate as outlined in this manual, please call King
Controls at [phone] or visit our website at www.kingcontrols.com. King Controls is not responsible for
changes outside of its control.

Please read this entire manual before installing and using your new antenna.

IMPORTANT! DISH® CUSTOMERS WITH HD SOLO RECEIVERS ONLY!

If you have a DISH model ViP211z, ViP211k, ViP211 or 411 single tuner HD receiver, you can use the DISH
Tailgater® user interface on your receiver (see Sections 3 and 6).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Contents Page

1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

2. INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

3. ANTENNA CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

4. RECEIVER CONFIGURATION - DISH AND BELL TV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14

5. OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17

6. TAILGATER MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-27

7. SECOND RECEIVER OPERATION - DISH AND BELL TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29

8. TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

9. MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

10. LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

King-Dome and King Controls are registered trademarks of Electronic Controlled Systems DBA King Controls.

Bell TV is an offi cial trademark of Bell Canada.

DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc.

DISH and Tailgater are registered trademarks of DISH Network L.L.C.

Rover is a trademark of Electronic Controlled Systems DBA King Controls.

Page 1

Section 1 INTRODUCTION

The Rover Satellite System includes 3 main components (Fig. 1).
Dome (Antenna) Unit Located on the roof of the vehicle. The satellite dish and

electronics are covered by a protective dome that keeps operational
components free from the elements.

Controller Located in the vehicle. Activates the search mode and provides

limited diagnostic functions using the controller’s lights.

15 Watt Power Supply Located in the vehicle. Supplies proper operating voltage to the

Rover Controller. (The antenna unit draws power thru the coax from
the receiver.)

NOTE: A TV, satellite receiver, and program subscription are also required for satellite TV viewing (sold separately).

FIG. 1

NOTE: Overview only. See connection

diagram in INSTALLATION
section for detailed information.

Page 2

NOTE: The Rover will not work with DIRECTV SWM only receivers.

It will not receive channels broadcast from DIRECTV’s Ka
band satellites at 99° and 103°.

Do not use dual tuner receivers or receivers with built-in
recorders if your programming is broadcast from more than
one satellite.

Bell TV: You may experience diffi culty receiving your
programming more than approximately 100 miles south of
the Canadian/US border.

Section 2 INSTALLATION

TOOLS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

• drill and drill bit set

• tape measure

• 7/16” open end wrench (coax connections)

• adhesive sealant (compatible with roof material)

• appropriate fasteners to install all components and wiring

KIT CONTENTS

1. Unpack and identify all components (Fig. 2).

FIG. 2

Page 3

NOTE: Many RVs are pre-wired for satellite with RG-6 coax cable. Contact the manufacturer of your RV or your local

dealer to verify where this cable is located.
If pre-wired, run the existing coax cable from the pre-wire location in the roof to the dome unit. When choosing

the dome unit location, make sure the pre-wiring will reach the dome unit.
Make all connections, properly route and fasten wiring to roof, and completely waterproof entry hole with the

cable entry cover as shown in this section. You may still run a second coax to the rear of the vehicle for an
optional second receiver.

DOME UNIT LOCATION

2. Select an area on the roof for the dome unit and the location where the wiring will enter the
vehicle through the roof to the satellite receiver inside using the following criteria:

a) A shorter distance between the dome unit and the satellite receiver is most desirable.
b) The dome unit requires a 28 inch diameter mounting area.
c) The dome unit should be mounted on the centerline of the vehicle.
d) There must be no “line of sight” obstructions. Air conditioning units, other antennas, and

storage areas that are too close to the dome unit may prevent the satellite signal from
reaching the antenna (Fig. 3).

FIG. 3

HEIGHT OF

OBSTRUCTION

10” 8”
11” 10”
12” 12”
13” 14”
14” 16”
15” 18”
16” 20”

APPROXIMATE

MINIMUM DISTANCE

TO DOME EDGE

Page 4

DOME UNIT INSTALLATION

IMPORTANT! Cable connections must ALWAYS be positioned facing the rear of vehicle.

3. Place dome unit on installation location chosen using the criteria discussed on the previous
page. Cable connections must be positioned facing rear of vehicle.

4. The dome unit must be positioned so that both mounting feet on each side of the vehicle are
equal distances from the roof edge. This should be checked by measuring the distance from
each foot to the roof edge. Confi rm that these measurements are equal (Fig. 4).

FIG. 4

IMPORTANT!

Cable connections

must always face

REAR of vehicle.

IMPORTANT! The dome unit should never be mounted so that it is tilted more

than two degrees in any direction.

NOTE: The installer is responsible for determining the most appropriate fastener to secure the dome unit to the roof.

Depending on the roof material, fasteners such as lag screws, well nuts, sheet metal screws, toggle bolts and T
anchors may be used, and should always be used in combination with a roof compatible sealant.

IMPORTANT! The installer is responsible for weatherproofi ng all holes with sealant.

5. Mount the dome unit. Use the pre-drilled holes in the mounting feet as a guide to install the
fasteners into the roof. Use additional fasteners whenever necessary.

6. Test that the dome unit is secure by pulling upward from each foot location.

Page 5

EXTERNAL WIRING

NOTE: There are two coax ports on the back of the dome unit. The one labeled “MAIN” MUST be connected to the

main receiver in vehicle. This is the receiver that will control automatic satellite switching if applicable. The
one labeled “AUX” can be used for an additional receiver, or connected to the second input on a DIRECTV
DVR.

7. Fill end of coax cable that will connect to the MAIN port on the dome unit with supplied
dielectric grease. Connect this end of the coax cable to the MAIN port and tighten connection
(Fig. 5). DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.

If using a second receiver, fi ll end of second coax cable with supplied dielectric grease and
connect it to the AUX port. Tighten connection. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.

FIG. 5

IMPORTANT!

FILL ENDS OF BOTH EXTERNAL

COAX CABLES WITH GREASE.

Failure to do so will void product warranty.

IMPORTANT! Coax connections should be snug. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!

8. Run coax from the back of the dome unit to the roof edge, then along edge to location where
coax will be fed into the vehicle. If installing an optional second receiver, run second coax to
location where it will enter the vehicle. Secure (both) coax to roof every 12-18 inches (Fig. 6).

Page 6

IMPORTANT! Installer is responsible for determining proper roof compatible fasteners for cable entry cover.

Roof hole for wiring must be sealed so it is completely waterproof. Mounting holes, perimeter of
cable entry cover and cable opening of cable entry cover must be sealed so they are completely
waterproof. SEALANT MUST BE ROOF COMPATIBLE.

9. Drill 3/4” hole through the roof and into the cabinet where receiver is stored. Feed coax down
through hole. Seal opening with roof compatible sealant so that it is completely waterproof
(inside and outside of the 3/4” hole). Repeat for second coax if present.

10. Fasten cable entry cover to roof. Seal mounting holes, perimeter of cover and cable opening
so they are completely waterproof.

FIG. 6

IMPORTANT!

Sealant must be roof compatible.

11. Remove blue protective sheet and red “position to rear” sticker from the dome unit.

Page 7

INTERNAL WIRING

12. Make the connections IN THE ORDER SHOWN on the next page.

13. After internal connections are made, go to ANTENNA CONFIGURATION on page 10.

NOTE TO DISH AND BELL TV SUBSCRIBERS:

If using a second receiver, do not connect it until instructed to do so in the SECOND
RECEIVER OPERATION section.

NOTE: Using multiple receivers is not recommended for multi-satellite services where automatic satellite switching is

desired. Do not use dual tuner receivers or receivers with built-in recorders when satellite service is broadcast
from more than one satellite.

NOTE FOR DISH SERVICES: For automatic satellite switching, King Controls recommends using a DISH model

311 receiver for DISH SD, and a DISH model ViP211z, ViP211k, ViP211 or 411 HDTV
receiver for DISH SD and HD or DISH SD and HD Alternate.

Page 8

DISH and Bell TV Subscribers:

Do not connect 2nd receiver at this time.

IMPORTANT! DISH and Bell TV Subscribers:

Do not connect 2nd receiver at this time.

Page 9