I'm having the darndest time figuring out what the difference between the KVH TracVision R5 & R6 is. Can anyone shine a light on this?
Also, any recommendations regarding the best in-motion satellite for the money?
Ideally I'd like to buy my own receiver (i.e., for DirecTV or Dish service) and just buy the satellite. Will this approach work?
Has anyone tried just having 1 satellite subscription between their home & bus, and then switching between the two? Isn't there some sort of card you can swap between the receivers in order to be able to do this? Doesn't make sense to pay for a service that we wouldn't really be using much...
Hi Danial,
The A5 is only 5 1/2" tall and uses new tech called [ Phased Array ] think of a funnel cloud, that shape is how they pick up the signel
instead of a dish having to look straight at the satelite. It has always been a problem for me with my L3 when I 'm driving past tall trees.
The picture will freeze until the trees pass. I've tested the A5 in a friend's escalade, only the usual dead spots, tunnels, parking garages,
super tall buildings.
The 6 is KVH's newest RV model, claims to be 3" shorter than the L3 with a different kind of dish inside. I havn't tested it yet! Big Bucks Though!
I have 6 recivers on my direct tv account, 5 house, 1 bus. I wish I baught the 12v reciver for the bus because when I switch from shore power to
inverter, that 100th of a second is enough for the reciever to flash and send the dish into search. A 12 v unit won't do that! The only problem with
traveling with your reciever is that you loose your local stations but, you can call Direct tv with the zip code your in, and Wala, you got local stations.
As soon as I sell my L3, I'm getting the A5, mostly because of the Low Profile. You saw my 14" hat on my roof, dosn't look good with my smooth top!
http://www.kvh.com/pdf/TVA5comboWEB.pdf
Nick-
I have a Datron DBS-4000, it is 12V, so no loss of signal on power-ups. The Datron line was purchaced by another of the satellite mfgs (KVH, I think) and the line discontinued.
It works great, with Direct TV. I pay an extra $5 per month for the extra receiver. I listen to XM radio thru it every day while working on the bus, so its a great deal at $5, not having to listen to commercial radio.
It does occasionally lose signal on streets with tall trees close to the road, but is seamless on xpressway and clear roads.
It is so nice to have all the avail TV channels for the family while traveling.
Regarding sharing the satalite receiver between the house and bus: I talked to the Direct TV folks and they said it was not a problem. You could just take the receiver out of the house and place it in the bus when traveling. The card would continue to recognize the receiver and yours.
I have not done this yet - not there in the process. However, I am going to try this when the day comes.
Danny
Danny,
I did that for a while, Than I got lazy!
I just keep 1 in the bus now mostly cause the wires, repowering the unit up, and fitting it back into the built in cabinet!
Nick-
Nick & Chuck,
Between Winegard, KingDome, and KVH, have you talked to users about rain fade.
I want the fixed position antenna unit in a dome, and I know not all respond the same to
rain fade.
Any feedback from other users of each?
Chuck, several years ago I ran a DSS receiver from a very small about $30.00 inverter in
a previous coach. Did so because 120vac was not available over the windshield. It
powered the receiver with no problems. That said, I like to run everything possible
on DC. Is anyone currently making an AC/DC DSS receiver?
Thanks.
Chuck N.- I had to use a specific receiver with the datron satellite controller. There were several brands/models to choose from.
My unit came with a Sony receiver that has a RF remote control. Very cool, because I can change the channel from the bedroom with the door closed or outside , when sitting under the awning watching the big TV in the bay.
I'd bet finding a DC receiver would be a good possibility. First, look to the alternative power folks, such as
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/ call them and someone there will know for sure-
hope this helps, Chuck L.
Hi Chuck,
We discussed this topic a month or so back.
Here is the link
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=68.0
Quoteinverter, that 100th of a second is enough for the reciever to flash and send the dish into search. A 12 v unit won't do that! The only problem with
Nick - you may be able to get around that, with a little fuss. The manual for my KVH suggests that you turn off the 12v power to the dome when you are parked (after acquisition) as the dish no longer needs power once locked on. Their reasoning was as a power saver. If you parked while the dish was locked on, you could just power the dome off on your way out the door to tend cords etc.
When you turn the dome power back on, it will do POST (power on self test) and seek the satellite again, so you will and the nuisance of that delay to require the satellite that you were already pointed at. If you put that step in the right place of your departure checklist, it should be of little impact.
Craig - MC7 Oregon
Hi Craig,
I know what you mean, Thanks.
Yhe complaint I have is the reciever aqusition, it takes about 4 min to recieve picture.
Nick-
Speaking of satellite systems, I have a Datron DBS-4000 that quit working, II think it is a software issue. I talked to techs at Audio Vox that bought out Datron. They said there are not very many dealers that repair Datrons. There is one in Apache Jct AZ. Does anyone know of a place to check out Datrons in the north west Oregon or Washington.
Gary
Gary, I have the service/installation manual for the Datron DBS-4000. if I can share that info with you, just drop me a note.I can scan and email if needed- Chuck Lott
Chuck, I'm trying to get my datron 4000 up and running too so I'd like to take you up on your offer for manuals. I've PM'd you.
Gary, I've found a source for two rebuilt datron 4000 antenna control boxes. PM me if you want details.
Cheers,
ST
Just a little trivia on the A5 antenna technology.
The technology for phased array is actually from the 50's-60's.
I worked on the BMEWS (Ballistic Missle Early Warning Site) site in Greenland and they were using the phased array radar up there.
I guess someone found a good use/market for it on the receive end because of DBS. Interesting.
Cliff
After struggling with trouble shooting, talking to techs, buying parts that did not cure the problems etc. I found if you want the most reliable the one entertainers use (they can't get repairs on the road when working to a schedule) is the TracStar.
After having it since February I can tell you it is trouble free and it locks on to a signal faster than anything else we ever had and when in motion it stays locked on like a junk yard dog.
But there are no bargains.
The Tracstar and the King Dome in-motion are the same unit. RV Sat Link in Arizona sells them for about $2300.
installed.
J.
If you want the best dish money can buy, buy a tracstar, period. I would not recommend kvh to my worst enemy. The old standard datron 4k (& 3500) workhorse still works great & can be bought used for a song. Parts are not the easiest to find but still available. They do work best with a sony reciever & do not get along too well with others, however will function. The datron 5k needs to disappear altogether. If you want a flat dish, motosat makes one as well & was the first to sell one commercially. As far as signal drop is concerned, reaqusition of the reciever is not an issue with the tracstar as it is not dependent on the reciever for tracking. To deal with power drops as in with ac cycleing we run all electronics downwind of an inverter, which is on at all times reguardless. Most trace units have a pass thru circut anyway to deal with automatic switchover.
On another note, it is very cool to see that you have selected an 800 as your platform. I owned 5 (1996 845) & they were my workhorses! The 800 is a very, very good stout bus with very few inherant problems. In my opinion they are the funnest to drive next to a grumman 870!
Also with DirecTV you can make a call and have additional units turned on or off within minutes.
So if your going to be out of the bus, or House for extended periods of time and would like to save 5 dollars per months for any additional recievers, give them a call.
Phil
Good info Busted. You mentioned that parts are still available for the Datron 4000. ASA electronics (who bought / acquired Datron) has no support for the 4000 nor have any of the techs ever worked on them. Do you have another source that you know of for parts and support?
Thanks,
SS
There is a company that has parts for the Datrons, Martronics Marine and RV Electronics here is the link http://www.martronics.com/.
Gary
Thanks Gary, I'll check it out.
SS
Gary, I finally got a response from Martronics:
"Company Closed!
If you have not received an order PROCESSED acknowledgement - you will not be receiving your order. IF IT IS A DATRON PARTS ORDER - please call 800-688-3135 - ASA - AudioVox Specialized Application - Hopefully they can direct you to a dealer or you can get your part from them. We sincerely regret the inconvenience."
It would appear that they have gone out of business. If you have any other companies that do or used to carry parts for the Datron's please post it.
Cheers,
SS
I guess I'm lucky I got my spare parts from them in spring.
Gary
So If I could gte a Tracstar SV360 for about half off this would be the one to go with?
I don't even have a bus yet, but this will prompt me to get one!!
Let me know what you think about this company and model.
Thanks,
Phil
Phil,
Trackstar went out of busisness....
Nick-
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on December 25, 2006, 05:41:56 PM
Phil,
Trackstar went out of busisness....
Nick-
Are you sure it is TracStar?
I was loosely following the thread and did not pick up on that and a call to their office has a answering machine on with a message from TracStar.
Also plenty of websites selling it etc,...
Not doubting you, just want to confirm it is TracStar since there are others with similiar names like Tracvision.
( this is the part where I usually start pulling my foot from my mouth, just do not want to let this deal get away without making sure it is TracStar.
Hmmm,..
Phil