In-Motion satellite: KVH TracVision R5 / R6 vs Wineguard & others...

DROdio · May 17, 2006, 06:07:55 PM

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...

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · May 17, 2006, 06:19:44 PM

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-

ChuckMC8 · May 17, 2006, 06:52:36 PM

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.

Danny · May 18, 2006, 10:18:44 AM

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

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · May 18, 2006, 11:12:34 AM

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-

Chuck Newman · May 18, 2006, 12:42:45 PM

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.

ChuckMC8 · May 18, 2006, 01:51:09 PM

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.

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · May 18, 2006, 07:25:13 PM

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

ceieio · May 19, 2006, 02:06:05 PM

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

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · May 19, 2006, 05:26:17 PM

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-

Gary W · May 20, 2006, 10:36:05 AM

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

ChuckMC8 · May 20, 2006, 11:13:11 AM

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

stephenstay · August 01, 2006, 12:29:52 PM

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

FloridaCliff · August 01, 2006, 01:08:53 PM

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

prevosman · August 01, 2006, 06:45:21 PM

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.