TracVision A9 Installation Manual
KVH Industries, Inc.
Installation Guide
TracVision® A9
TracVision A9 Installation Guide
This guide explains how to install the TracVision A9 satellite TV antenna system on a vehicle.
Operation instructions are provided in the Quick Start Guide.
Installation Steps
1. Inspect Parts and Get Tools ................. 3
2. Mount the Antenna ............................... 4
3. Wire the Antenna ................................ 11
4. Plan the TV-Hub Installation............. 16
5. Mount the TV-Hub.............................. 17
6. Wire the Antenna to the TV-Hub...... 18
7. Wire the Receivers............................... 19
8. Connect Power..................................... 23
9. Turn On the System............................. 25
10. Access the Web Interface .................... 26
11. Connect to an Existing Network ....... 27
12. Secure the Wi-Fi Connection.............. 28
13. Set Up the System ................................ 29
14. Educate the Customer......................... 31
Appendices
A. Installing an IP AutoSwitch ............... 33 B. Using a DIRECTV Coax Network..... 36
Who Should Install the System?
To ensure a safe and effective installation, KVH recommends that a KVH-authorized 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.
Technical Su ppo rt
If you need technical assistance, please contact KVH Technical Support:
Phone: +1 401 847-3327
Email: support@kvh.com
(Mon.-Fri., 9 am-6 pm; Sat., 9 am-2 pm ET, -5 GMT)
KVH and TracVision 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. No company shall be liable for errors contained herein.
© 2014 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
54-1079 Rev. A
1
Important Safety Information
This icon indicates a danger, warning, or caution notice. Be sure to read these carefully to avoid
injury.
WARNING
Risk of Electric Shock
To avoid electric shock, do not open the TV-Hub chassis enclosure. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside.
WARNING
Risk of Electric Shock
If any component of the TracVision system becomes damaged and/or no longer functions normally,
disconnect it from vehicle power, secure it from unintended operation, and contact KVH Technical
Support (see “Technical Support” on page 1). All repairs or modifications must be performed by a
trained, KVH-certified technician. If you are a KVH-certified technician, you still must contact KVH
Technical Support prior to conducting any repairs or modifications to the equipment.
WARNING
Risk of Explosion
Do not operate the TV-Hub (or any other electrical device) in an environment where flammable gases,
vapors, or dusts are present. In addition, do not operate the TV-Hub in an environment with a
temperature outside its 5º F to 131º F (-15º C to 55º C) temperature range.
WARNING
Risk of Electric Shock
Failure to ground the TracVision system properly to the vehicle’s ground will cause an unsafe floating
ground condition, risking potentially lethal electric shock. See “Connect Power” on page 23 for details
on the proper grounding of the equipment.
CAUTION
Avoid Driver Distraction
Do not connect the TracVision system to video screens that are visible to the vehicle driver. Driver
distraction can result in an accident with personal injury or death resulting.
2
Figure 1: TracVision A9 System Components
Figure 2: KVH-Validated Receivers
* List is subject to change. For information on
connecting different receiver models, contact KVH
Technical Support.
DIRECTV*
DISH Network*
H20
H21
H22
H23
H24
H25
HR21, HR21 Pro
HR22
HR23
HR24
HR34
HR44
311
211
211k
211z
1
Before you begin, follow these steps to ensure
you have everything needed 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.
b. Carefully examine all of the supplied parts to
ensure nothing was damaged in shipment.
c. Gather the tools and materials listed below to
complete the installation.
•Flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers
•Hex socket drivers
• Wire cutters
•Adhesive tape and scriber or pencil
•Light hammer and center punch
Inspect Parts and Get Tools
• Measuring tape
•1/2" (12.7 mm) hole saw
•Electric drill with a 5/32" and 1/8"
drill bits
•Construction adhesive and fasteners
suitable for mounting the antenna to
the roof
•7/16" open-end wrench
•7/16" open-end torque wrenches set to
20 in.-lbs (2.25 N-m) and 15 in.-lbs
(1.7 N-m)
•Silicone sealant or equivalent
• If you cut the antenna cable to length:
Augat IT1000 crimp tool (KVH part no.
19-0242), see page 18.
•Satellite TV receiver(s)/DVRs for
your desired service (see Figure 2)
• Wi-Fi-enabled laptop PC with the
latest TracVision software and
satellite library downloaded from the
KVH Partner Portal (www.kvh.com/
partners), or Apple
smartphone/tablet with the
TracVision TV/RV mobile app
®
iOS or Android™
3
Figure 3: Shipping Restraint Locations on Antenna Base
Figure 4: Attaching the Mounting Brackets
Factory-installed bolt
Bracket
1/4"-20 x 3/4" Hex Socket
Screws (with Nylok patch)
Figure 5: Roof Rack Crossbars
Be sure the roof rack’s crossbars are secured in
place and are sturdy enough to support the
49.5 lb (22.5 kg) antenna.
IMPORTANT!
2
To mount the antenna, first remove the shipping
restraints with heavy-duty wire cutters (see
Figure 3). Then follow the steps for your
particular mounting option:
Rack Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see below
Roof Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8
Mount the Antenna
Mount the Antenna to the Roof Rack
a. Attach each of the four mounting brackets to
the antenna base using two
socket screws as shown in Figure 4. (A bolt is
factory-installed in the base between the bracket
holes.)
b. Position the roof rack crossbars 35.5"
(89.4 cm) apart, measured center-to-center.
Ensure that the crossbars are securely
fastened to the vehicle (see Figure 5).
1/4
"-20 x
3/4
" hex
4
2
Figure 6: Placing the Antenna on the Crossbars
Figure 7: Antenna Connector Facing Rear of Vehicle
c. With an assistant’s help, gently place the
antenna onto the roof rack with the cable
connector facing the rear of the vehicle. All
four brackets should rest on top of the roof
rack’s crossbars (see Figure 6 and Figure 7).
d. Each bracket contains several pairs of pegs
(see Figure 4 on page 4). These pegs allow
you to place two rubber cushions in different
positions to best fit the vehicle’s style of
crossbars. Try out the various cushion
positions until you find the best fit for your
installation. The more surface area of the
cushions pressing against the crossbar, the
better the fit.
Continued Mount the Antenna
5
Figure 8: Positioning Rubber Cushions For Best Fit
Bracket
Rubber
Cushions
Roof Rack
Crossbar
Figure 9: Adding a Second Spacer to the Bracket (If Needed)
Bracket
New Spacer
Factory-installed
Spacer
Flat Washer
Lock Washer
#8-32 Screws
Figure 10: Using Spacers to Raise the Antenna Above the Roof
New Spacer
Crossbar
Gap
Vehicle Roof
Vehicle Roof
Crossbar
If you installed extra spacers, and the bottom
of the antenna still contacts the roof, KVH
recommends that you either use the roof
mount option on page 8 or replace the roof
rack with an aftermarket model that offers
greater clearance.
IMPORTANT!
2
e. With the cushions installed in the brackets,
the bottom of the antenna should rest above
the vehicle’s roof. If the antenna’s base
touches the roof, you will need to add a
spacer under each bracket to raise the
antenna higher off the crossbars.
If spacers are needed, follow steps f and g on
the next page to install a spacer under each
bracket as shown in Figure 8. Otherwise, skip
to step h on page 7.
f. Remove the #8-32 x 3/8" screws and washers
securing the factory-installed plastic spacer
to the metal bracket (see Figure 9).
g. Insert a second spacer from the kitpack
between the original spacer (which holds the
rubber cushions) and the bracket. Secure both
spacers to the bracket using the supplied
#8-32 x
that you removed in step f (see Figure 10).
Continued Mount the Antenna
7/8
" screws and the original washers
6
Figure 11: Securing the Brackets to the Crossbars
Figure 12: Attaching the Cover
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.
IMPORTANT!
2
h. Secure each mounting bracket to the roof
rack with a retaining plate, two hex socket
screws, and two jam nuts (supplied in kit). Use
a 1.75" screw at the end of each bracket and
use a 2" screw at the base of each bracket (see
Figure 11). After securing all four brackets to
the crossbars, verify that all cushions (two
within each bracket) are pressed firmly
against the crossbars providing a solid grip.
Continued Mount the Antenna
Cover
Hex Socket
Screws
2"
1.75"
i. Attach a protective cover onto each clamp.
The covers simply snap into place at the
sides of the brackets (see Figure 12).
Mounting
Bracket
Roof Rack
Crossbar
Retaining
Plate
Jam Nuts
7
Figure 13: Attaching the Mounting Brackets
Factory-installed bolt
Bracket
1/4"-20 x 3/4" Hex Socket
Screws (with Nylok patch)
Figure 14: Metal Mounting Plate with Nut Bar
Figure 15: Rubber Mounting Block Placed Onto Mounting Plate
2
If you are mounting the antenna directly to the
roof, follow the steps below.
Continued Mount the Antenna
Mount the Antenna Directly to the Roof
a. Attach each of the four mounting brackets to
the antenna base using two
socket screws (see Figure 13). A bolt is factory-
installed in the base between the bracket holes.
b. Place the metal mounting plates onto the
vehicle’s roof (do not attach yet!). Ensure the
nut bar swivels easily within each mounting
plate (see Figure 14.)
c. Lift the skirt on the four rubber mounting
blocks, then place the blocks onto the
mounting plates. Align with the threaded
holes in the nut bar (see Figure 15).
1/4
"-20 x
3/4
" hex
8
Figure 16: Positioning an Antenna Bracket Onto a Mounting Block
Bracket
Mounting
Block
Figure 17: Adding Spacers (If Needed for Extra Height)
Due to the variation in vehicle roof
construction, consult with the vehicle
manufacturer to determine the safest
fastening method.
IMPORTANT!
Figure 18: Attaching Bracket With Spacers
2
d. With an assistant’s help, position the antenna
onto the centerline of the vehicle’s roof with a
mounting block and mounting plate under
each bracket (see Figure 16). Make sure the
antenna’s connector faces the rear of the
vehicle.
e. The bottom of the antenna should rest above
the vehicle’s roof. If the antenna’s base is
above and not touching the roof, skip to step i.
If the antenna’s base is touching the roof,
STOP the installation. Call KVH at 401-847-
3327 to order the Spacers Kit (part no.
72-0221) and follow steps f-h to install a
spacer under each bracket to raise the antenna
higher.
f. Remove the #8-32 x 3/8" screws and washers
securing the factory-installed plastic spacer to
the metal bracket.
Continued Mount the Antenna
g. Insert a second spacer from the Spacers Kit
between the original spacer and the bracket.
Secure both spacers to the bracket using the
#8-32 x 7/8" screws (supplied in kit) and the
original washers that you removed in step f.
h. Place a rubber spacer (supplied in kit) onto the
end of each rubber mounting block (see
Figure 18).
i. Make sure the antenna is positioned on the
centerline of the roof in the desired location
and resting firmly on the mounting blocks.
With the antenna in place, mark the roof
along the outside edges of the mounting
plates using a pencil or scribe.
j. Set aside the antenna and the mounting
blocks.
k. Attach the four mounting plates to the roof at
the locations you outlined in step i. Be sure to
use fasteners appropriate to the roof’s
construction.
Bracket
New Spacer
Factory-installed
Spacer
Flat Washer
Lock Washer
#8-32 Screws
Bracket
Plastic
Spacer
Rubber
Spacer
Mounting
Block
9
Figure 19: Securing the Antenna to the Roof
Mounting Block
Nut Bar
Mounting Plate
Vehicl e Roof
Antenna Bracket
Cover
Hex Socket Screws
2.25"
2.5"
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.
IMPORTANT!
Figure 20: Attaching the Cover
2
l. Seal all fasteners with silicone sealant or
equivalent.
m. Place the rubber mounting blocks back onto
the mounting plates.
n. Place the antenna onto the mounting blocks.
Align the holes in the antenna brackets with
the holes in the mounting blocks.
o. At each bracket, insert two hex socket screws
(supplied in kit) through the antenna bracket
and mounting block and into the nut bar. Use
a 2.25" screw at the end of each bracket and a
2.5" screw at the base. If you added a spacer,
use the 2.5" and 2.75" screws supplied in the
Spacers Kit instead (use the shorter screw at
the end). Tighten the screws to secure.
p. Flip down the skirt on each rubber mounting
block to hide the mounting plates.
Continued Mount the Antenna
q. Attach a protective cover onto each bracket.
The covers simply snap into place at the
sides of the brackets.
10
Figure 21: Connecting the Antenna Cable to the Antenna
3
To wire the antenna, first route the antenna cable.
You can route the antenna cable directly through
the roof or from behind the hatch (SUVs and
minivans) by following these steps:
Roof Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see below
Hatch Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14
Wire the Antenna
Route the Cable Through the Roof
a. Clean and dry the connectors on the antenna
cable and the rear of the antenna.
CAUTION
Observe the safe handling instructions in the
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided
with the silicone grease.
b. Fill half of the inner body of the antenna
cable’s connector with the supplied silicone
grease (the end with the rubber boot).
c. Connect and SLOWLY hand-tighten the
antenna cable (the end with the rubber
boot) to the antenna, allowing the grease to
diffuse and settle into the entire space
within the connector.
d. Make sure the antenna cable is hand-
tightened all the way into the connector. Then
tighten it with a
20 in.-lbs, or a 7/16" wrench for 1/4 turn (see
Figure 21).
e. Wipe off any excess grease from the outside
of the connector.
f. Slide the rubber sealing boot up the cable
until it covers the antenna cable connector to
help protect it from weather (see Figure 21).
7/16
" torque wrench set to
11
Techniques for removing the headliner vary
from vehicle to vehicle. Only a trained
automotive installer should remove the
headliner. KVH is not liable for damage
caused by improper headliner removal.
IMPORTANT!
Figure 22: Locating the Cable Access and Fitting Mounting Holes
Figure 23: Cable Routed Into Vehicle Through Access Hole
Do not kink the cable. Maintain a bend radius
of at least 4.5" (11.5 cm). A tighter bend may
disrupt the TV signal and degrade
performance.
IMPORTANT!
3
g. Choose a location on the roof for the
1/2
Inside the vehicle, remove the headliner to
access the underside of the roof where you
will be cutting out the hole.
h. Using a 1/2" (12.7 mm) hole saw, cut out the
cable access hole in the vehicle’s roof and
smooth the edges of the hole to protect the
cable (see Figure 22).
i. Center the backing plate over the cable access
hole to locate the three fitting mounting holes.
Use a center punch to mark the hole locations.
Continued Wire the Antenna
" (12.7 mm) diameter cable access hole.
j. Set aside the backing plate, then use a
5/32" drill bit to drill the three fitting
mounting holes (see Figure 22).
k. Insert the antenna cable (with preinstalled
cable fitting) into the access hole (see
Figure 23). Inside the vehicle, pass the cable
through the backing plate and route the cable
to the TV-Hub.
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