TracVision M1 Installation Manual

TracVision® M1

with 12V DIRECTV® Mobile Receiver

M1 Installation Guide

®

TracVision

TracVision M1 Installation Guide

DIRECTV® Mobile Receiver Configuration

These instructions explain how to install the TracVision M1 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

2. Plan the Installation...4

3. Prepare the Mounting Site...5

4. Wire the Antenna...6

5. Remove the Shipping Restraint...7

6. Mount the Antenna...8

7. Wire the Receiver...9

8. Connect Power...10

9. Mount the Receiver...11

10. Test the System...12

11. Educate the Customer...13

Who Should Install the System?

To ensure a safe and effective installation, KVH recommends that a KVH-authorized marine
technician install the TracVision M1 antenna. To find a technician near you, please visit

www.kvh.com/wheretogetservice.

Related Documentation

The following additional documents are provided with the TracVision M1 system:

Document

Description

User’s Guide Complete operation, setup, and troubleshooting

information

Quick Start Guide Handy quick reference to basic operation and

troubleshooting information
Product Registration Form Details on registering the product with KVH
Warranty Statement Warranty terms and conditions
Contents List List of every part supplied in the kit

Technical Support

If you need technical assistance, please contact KVH Technical Support:
Phone: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

(Mon.-Fri., 9 am-6 pm ET, Sat., 9 am-2 pm ET)

KVH, TracVision, and the unique light-colored dome with dark 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.

No company shall be liable for errors contained herein. © 2008 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved. 54-0585 Rev. A

1

Always lift the antenna by the baseplate and
never by the radome or any portion of the
internal antenna assembly (see Figure 1).

IMPORTANT!

Mobile Receiver/Controller

Figure 1: TracVision M1 System Components

Figure 2: Activation Card

1

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.

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.

Inspect Parts and Get Tools

Antenna

Radome

Baseplate

• #2 Phillips screwdriver

• 7/16" open-end wrench

• 3/8" socket or open-end wrench

• Electric drill and 1/4" (6 mm) bit

• Hole saw of desired diameter (for cable
access hole, see page 5)

• Silicone sealant or equivalent

•Adhesive tape

• Light hammer

• Center punch

• Eight 1/4" fasteners (see “Mount the
Receiver” on page 11)

d. Peel off the extra serial number label (taped

to the antenna) and affix it in the appropriate
box on the red Activation Card (see Figure 2).

XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX

Affix Serial

Number Here

3

Antenna

Blocked!

17-73°

Vessel Platform

Radar

Figure 3: Blockage from Obstruction

4 x Ø0.28"
(Ø7.04 cm)

Ø13.5"

(Ø34.3 cm)

6.4"

(16.3 cm)

3.2"

(8.1 cm)

3.2"

(8.1 cm)

6.4"

(16.3 cm)

Cable Connector

13.13"

(33.4 cm)

Figure 4: Antenna Dimensions

Do not shorten or extend the antenna cable.
Since the cable carries data, power, and
communications, the integrity of this cable
and its connections is very important.

IMPORTANT!

2

Before you begin, consider the following
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
(within ±2°), strong enough to support the
antenna’s weight (7.5 lbs), and rigid enough
to withstand vibration.

• Custom mounting solutions, including struts
and masts, are available from several third­party manufacturers. Contact your local KVH
dealer or distributor for details.

• KVH recommends that you do not mount the
antenna on the same level as the radar,
because the radar’s energy might overload
the antenna.

• Be sure to mount the antenna near enough to
the supplied receiver belowdecks to allow
you to connect the 50-ft. (15 m) coaxial cable
between the antenna and the receiver, while
still maintaining sufficient slack in the cable.

Plan the Installation

• When choosing a location for the receiver,
find a dry, well-ventilated area belowdecks
away from any heat sources or salt spray.
Also be sure the receiver’s front panel will be
easily accessible to the user.

4

13.5"

(34.3 cm)

3.2" (8.1 cm)

6.4"

(16.3 cm)

3.2" (8.1 cm)

6.4"

(16.3 cm)

4 x Ø0.25"
(Ø0.6 cm)

Mounting Holes

Antenna Base

1.75" (4.4 cm)

1.25" (3.2 cm)

Maximum

Cable Access Hole

Ø3.5" (Ø8.9 cm)

Recommended

Cable Access Hole

Ø1.0" (Ø2.5 cm)

4 x Seal
Guides

Figure 5: Antenna Mounting Holes Layout

Figure 6: Using the Template to Mark Hole Locations

The diameter of the cable access hole must not
exceed 3.5" (89 mm) to maintain the integrity
of the foam seal.

IMPORTANT!

Figure 7: Foam Seal

3

Prepare the Mounting Site

Once you have identified a suitable antenna
mounting site, according to the guidelines
provided on page 4, follow these steps to prepare
the mounting 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 5 and Figure 6). You

don’t need to mount the antenna exactly on the
centerline (the closer, the better), but the
antenna’s forward arrow must be parallel to it.

b. Mark the locations for the four mounting

holes on the mounting surface in the
locations indicated on the template.

c. Mark a location for the cable access hole.

KVH recommends a location 1.25" (32 mm)
aft of the center of the mounting hole pattern,
as shown on the template (see Figure 5). Size
the hole appropriately to maintain a cable
bend radius of at least 3" (75 mm).

d. Mark four seal guides in the locations

indicated on the template. Later, these guides
will help you position the foam seal correctly.

e. Drill a 1/4" (6 mm) hole at the four mounting

hole locations you marked in Step b. Later,
you will insert four #10-32 screws through
these holes to secure the antenna to the
mounting surface.

f. Using a hole saw, drill the cable access hole in

the location you marked in Step c. Smooth the
edges of the hole to protect the cable. Later,
you will route the antenna cable through this
hole and into the vessel.

g. Clean and dry the antenna mounting surface.

Bow

Mounting Holes (x4)
Guides (x4)
Foam Seal

h. Peel off the paper backing from the supplied

foam seal to expose the adhesive. Then press
the foam seal down firmly onto the mounting
surface, surrounding the guides and centered
between the mounting holes (see Figure 7).

Cable Access Hole

5