satelite dish?

[ruthi]

Anyone out there using the low profile A5 or A7 dish? We are going t be putting a dish on in a month or so, and wanted to see if anyone had issues with them? Our bus is 12' 6", so, we need to keep it low. That is the only thing that will be on top of the bus. Any input is appreciated. 

[Ericbsc]

The A-4, and A-7 can only be used with direct dish. The other track visions can be used with Dish network or direct. I had a great deal on an A-5 until I found that out. Dish network Has the option for an extra reciever for $ 7.00 a month. I went with the R5SL. Can be used with either. Can't say that I'm very impressed at this point. Lots of glitches. May be cabling but it comes and goes a lot!! Hope this helps. I have sold several brands. Most are about the same cost for the features. One thing to keep in mind is that if you park in a campground with trees etc. blocking the signal you are out of luck. If you carry a small portable ( they are pretty inexpensive) you can move it around. If you have 2 recievers in your coach, only one will control the sattellite meaning if unit one is watching a program on sat. 110 then unit two can only watch programing on sat. 110. Not a biggie unless someone in the back of the bus dosen't like what you like! LOL Hope this helps.

[Ericbsc]

Correction: The first line shoulld be A-5, and A-7. Sorry!

[Dreamscape]

If you stay in dry country they will work OK. If it rains, it puddles on them because they are so flat, then your signal is compromised. This is not from my experience, just what I've read on some of the RV Forums.

Paul

[ruthi]

Eric, I know that with the a5 and a7 you can have different receivers and tvs. You just have to use the 12 volt up from where it comes in. We already have extra receivers, they cost 5 dollars a month extra.

[luvrbus]

Ruthi, it states very clear in the book "Dry conditions must exist for stationary use" I sent mine back hope this helps

good luck

[ruthi]

Yeah, I have heard that. Just dont know what to do with the height, hmmmm

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Ruthi,

Is there any way you can sink a KVH R6DX unit into your roof somewhere?

This is how the Prevo's do it.. They usually have a lowered part of either the front or rear caps.

The last prevo we installed a R6DX in had a 10" counter sink on the rear cap and there was no trouble at

all with picking up a signal. The further south you are in the country, the more vertical your dish looks

to the birds. From what I can tell, the only place you would have trouble with sight to the birds would

be Alaska.

Nick-

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Also,

Just so you guy's know, All KVH antenns will pick up Direct Tv KU band only [no HD until next year]

Next year, everything will change. KVH's falling out with Direct TV 3 years ago seems to be mended..

I own 1 of only 3, A-7 units that will recieve Direct TV HD channels as a test set up that Capt. Dave Walker

of KVH ind. allowed in the field. There is just under $5000 in equipment in my bus to make my A-7 see

3 birds at once but, it only works on one of my HD flat screens.  Kind of a waste but at their cost...

Here is the link to KVH antenna options
http://www.kvh.com/Leisure/RV-Systems/Television.aspx

Nick-

[ruthi]

Nick, how would that work in the rain, as far as holding water? That one sounds like one that would be the best for us. Any ideas as to how it is done? Also, can you still hook up extra receivers to other tvs? Is there a special receiver that goes with this one, like the A5, or just a regular receiver? And lastly, what will happen when they change from Ku to Ka? Sorry for all the questions, but, we have got to get this stuff figured out. We already sold the gm, so, we have to have the new one ready first of Jan. to hit the road. By the way, thanks for telling me about the mobile routers. That has worked out perfect for us to use the internet on the road.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Ruthi,

I do get rain fade with heavy storms.. With normal rain, I sometimes get freeze frames but, only in the am hours.

I have three recievers in my coach. 1 12volt M-10 that comes with the A-7 and two D-10 home types. You need

a multi switch that also De-Stacks! [very expencive like $400 bucks] to take the DC voltage out of the coax cable

to operate additional home type recievers.

When KVH lets the software out for KA bands, it will be a very simple lap top download to upgrade your equipment.

Here is a PDF of the cat getting out of the bag early from KVH
Satellite Services
6-1
Satellite Services
Effective September, 2010
Subject to change without notice
Revision 9/1/2010 Company Confidential www.kvh.com/partners
DIRECTV for RVs
DIRECTV® for RVs, Coaches and Buses
DIRECTV operates throughout the United States and roughly 100-400 miles around the border and coast of
the country. Go to www.kvh.com/footprint for further information.
Receivers
Receivers may be purchased directly from KVH Industries. Contact the Sales Department for further details.
KVH R-series antenna systems work with all brands and models of DIRECTV receiver (both Standard
Definition and High Definition (HD))*. TracVision A7 works with KVH's exclusive integrated 12V mobile
DIRECTV receiver which is a standard definition receiver.
Please note that DIRECTV has recently placed Ka band satellites into service to provide high definition local
channels to their home users in select markets. To enable this, DIRECTV is installing new, larger dishes for
their subscribers to receive the Ka band content as well as the current Ku band high definition and standard
definition programming. KVH and all mobile satellite antennas support Ku band reception only, due to size
constraints and other technical complexity. As a result KVH products cannot support reception of Ka band
high definition locals.
*In order to receive high-definition programming from the DIRECTV satellite at 110°W, extra hardware is required, sold separately.
Programming
DIRECTV carries all primary U.S. programs and services. The quantity of channels and selection depends
on the programming package(s) selected. Programming selections can be changed at any time by
contacting DIRECTV. For a complete channel listing, go to DIRECTV's website at www.directv.com.
Local Channels
DIRECTV allows customers to receive local programs from whatever city serves as their billing address. KVH
systems work with all local channels that are broadcast through DIRECTV's 101° and 119° satellites. Go to
www.directv.com and look under the section for local programming for a complete list of cities for these two
satellites and to get updates on DIRECTV's local channel restrictions. KVH is not responsible for changes
that may occur at DIRECTV.
Multiple Receiver Installations/Box Mirroring
KVH provides access to a new DIRECTV satellite television programming package that provides $4.99 Box
Mirroring for customers who already have DIRECTV in their home or have multiple receivers in their RV.
Box Mirroring means that you will be billed at the standard programming package price for your home
subscription or the first receiver on your RV and each additional box will cost only $4.99 per month.
Both new and existing KVH customers can take advantage of this programming by calling the KVH Satellite
Airtime and Product Activation Department for details and the proper declaration forms.
Satellite Services
6-2
Satellite Services
Effective September, 2010
Subject to change without notice
Revision 9/1/2010 Company Confidential www.kvh.com/partners
DIRECTV for RVs
DIRECTV® for RVs, Coaches and Buses (cont'd)
Activating DIRECTV Service for TracVision R4SL/R4/R5SL/R5 Products
Use the following procedures to perform a DIRECTV activation.
1. The customer must have a U.S. billing address.
2. DIRECTV is the default setting with KVH systems, so there is usually nothing that needs to
be done to the system prior to activation. If this is not the case, install DIRECTV as the default
satellite pair in the KVH antenna (see the product's technical manual).
3. Turn on the antenna and receiver and wait for signal strength to read 70 or higher. Leave the
system on.
4. Call KVH's Activation Department at: 1.866.551.8004 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to preactivate.
You will need to give your customer's address and phone number, and make/model of
receiver. Make sure you have your customer's access card and receiver serial # ready.
5. Call 1-800-DIRECTV to "ping" the receiver and start programming.
Activating DIRECTV Service for a TracVision A7 and R6ST
Before your customer can start enjoying satellite TV in their RV, the TracVision A7 or R6ST integrated receiver
must be activated. KVH supplies a special Activation Card with every TracVision A7 and R6ST receiver that
clearly defines the steps for activation.
To activate a receiver, please follow the steps below:
1. Call KVH's Activation Department at: 1.866.551.8004 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Your customer will need to provide the KVH Activation Department representative with the following
information:
• Receiver Serial Number
• Antenna Serial Number
• Customer Name, Address, Telephone, E-mail and Social Security Number
Note: First time activations will require a credit check per DIRECTV.
2. The KVH representative will provide you or your customer with 4 ID numbers necessary for activation
and will direct them to the final procedure for activation. The numbers that need to be recorded are:
• Access Card Number
• Receiver ID Number
• Hughes/KVH Serial Number
• Model Number
These numbers will be necessary whenever the customer calls DIRECTV and should be recorded on
the supplied Activation Card and retained for future reference.

[white-eagle]

ya'll are spending way too much on useless junk!  better to spend that much money on better paint, chrome bumpers, extra padding, an air monitor system, etc.

we watched a movie last nite, and it occurred to me that we learned nothing and gained a couple pounds.  tonight we bowled 5 games on our Wii instead of wasting time getting fat.  we had fun (even tho she beat me bowling 3 out of 5, (but losing has it's rewards, if you know what i mean).  a lot less trouble and cost than direct or dish, and the network news shows really aren't news, just commentary.

HD tv, waaayyyy toooo much money for tv.  we pay $100 a year and i wouldn't pay more.  not worth it.  my 2 cents.

[ruthi]

I guess everyone has their opinion, but, I gotta have my tv. We travel most of the year for work, and it would really be boring if we didnt have tv. By that, I mean Satelite, not an atenna with a snowy pic at best, lol. I also like games, but, variation, variation. To each their own. 

[cody]

I'm trying to picture sitting at a picnic table and watching tom and fran play a wii game of bowling thru the window lol.  Does the placement of the curtain determine if it's wide screen or not?

[busdriver58]

I'm trying to picture sitting at a picnic table and watching tom and fran play a wii game of bowling thru the window lol.  Does the placement of the curtain determine if it's wide screen or not?

you are always funny with your fast answers...