TracVision M3, M2 Installation Manual

TracVision M3/M2

Linear Configuration

TracVision M3/M2 Installation Guide

TracVision M3/M2 Installation Guide

Linear Configuration

These instructions explain how to install the TracVision M3/M2 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 Interface Box...9

8. Connect Power...10

9. Mount the Interface Box...11

10. Turn On the System...12

11. Enter Your Latitude & Longitude...13

12. Select Satellites...14

13. Set the LNB Skew Angle...15

14. Educate the Customer...16

Who Should Install the System?

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

www.kvh.com/wheretogetservice.

Related Documentation

The following additional documents are provided with the TracVision M3/M2 system:

Document

User’s Guide Operation, setup, 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

Description

Technical Support

If you need technical assistance, please contact KVH Technical Support:

North/South America, Australia:

Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

(Mon.-Fri., 9 am-6 pm ET, +5 GMT)
(Sat., 9 am-2 pm ET, +5 GMT)

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. 54-0274-02 Rev. B

Europe, Middle East, Asia:

Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

(Mon.-Thu., 8 am-4:30 pm, -1 GMT)
(Fri., 8 am-2 pm, -1 GMT)

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!

Radome

Baseplate

Antenna

Figure 1: TracVision M3/M2 System Components

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

Interface Box/Controller

• #2 Phillips screwdriver

• 7/16" open-end wrench

• 7/16" socket wrench

• 1/2" socket or open-end wrench

• Electric drill and 5/16" (8 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
Interface Box” on page 11)

• Satellite TV receiver

3

Antenna

Vessel Platform

Radar

Blocked!

Figure 2: Blockage from Obstruction

Figure 3: 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 2). 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 3). Also make sure it is flat, level
(within ±2°), strong enough to support the
antenna’s weight (18 lbs/8.2 kg), 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 interface box belowdecks to
allow you to connect the 50-ft. (15 m) coaxial
cable between the antenna and the interface
box, while still maintaining sufficient slack in
the cable.

Plan the Installation

17.3"

(44 cm)

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

4

user.

15.5"

(39.4 cm)

9.2"

(23.4 cm)

4.6"

(11.7 cm)

Cable Connector

4 x 0.3"

( 0.8 cm)

2.8"

(7.1 cm)

5.6"

(14.2 cm)

X

15.5"

(39.4 cm)

2.8"

(7.1 cm)

5.6"

(14.2 cm)

4.6" (11.7 cm)

9.2"

(23.4 cm)

4 x 0.31"
( 0.8 cm)

Mounting Holes

Cable Access Hole

(Suggested)

Antenna Base

Figure 4: Antenna Mounting Holes Layout

Be sure the mounting surface is flat and level.
Use a separate mounting plate, if necessary.

IMPORTANT!

Figure 5: Drilling Antenna Mounting Holes

Center

Between

Mounting

Holes

Figure 6: Foam Seal

3

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 4). 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. Using the template, mark the locations for the

four mounting holes.

Prepare the Mounting Site

c. Drill a 5/16" (8 mm) hole at the four

mounting hole locations you marked in
Step b (see Figure 5). Later, you will insert
four 1/4"-20 bolts through these holes 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 antenna cable
through this hole and into the vessel.

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

the location you marked in Step d. Be sure to
size the hole appropriately to maintain a
cable bend radius of at least 3" (75 mm). If the
hole location is in the center of the antenna
mounting hole pattern, the diameter of the
cable access hole must not exceed 3.5"
(88 mm). Smooth the edges of the hole to
protect the cable.

f. Clean and dry the antenna mounting surface.
g. 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, centered between the antenna
mounting holes (see Figure 6).

5

Figure 7: Removing the Connector Cover

Right-Angle

Connector Extension Rubber Boot

Figure 8: Rubber Boot Extension for Right-Angle Connector

Figure 9: Connecting the Antenna Cable

Right-Angle
Boot Extension
(if necessary)

Rubber Boot

Cover

Figure 10: Protecting the Cable Connection

Be sure to seal the cable access hole to prevent
water from leaking into the vessel.

IMPORTANT!

4

Follow these steps to connect the antenna cable to
the antenna.

a. Using the supplied 3 mm Allen hex key,

remove the connector cover from the
antenna’s base (see Figure 7). Save the cover
and the four M4 cap screws for later use.

b. Route the antenna cable belowdecks through

the cable access hole. Be sure to keep the end
of the cable with the rubber sealing boot at
the antenna site.

c. If you are routing the cable underneath the

antenna, attach the right-angle connector to
the antenna end of the cable. Hand-tighten,
then tighten with a 7/16" wrench for 1/4 turn
to ensure an electrical and weather-proof
connection. Then place the supplied right­angle rubber boot extension onto the end of
the cable (see Figure 8).

Wire the Antenna

d. Connect the cable to the antenna. Hand-

tighten, then tighten with a 7/16" wrench for
1/4 turn (see Figure 9).

e. If you are using a right-angle connector, slide

the right-angle rubber boot extension up the
cable until it covers the right-angle connector.

f. Slide the rubber boot up the cable un ti l it

covers the connector. If you are using a right­angle connector, be sure the boot mates with
the extension (see Figure 10). This boot will
help protect the connector from the elements.

g. Reattach the cover over the connector, as

shown in Figure 10. Secure in place with the
M4 cap screws you removed in Step a. The
cover must be attached before you mount the
antenna.

h. Leave an adequate service loop,

approximately 8" (20 cm) of slack, in the
antenna cable for easy serviceability.

i. Weatherproof and seal the cable access hole

as required.

6