KVH Industries TracNet H30 User manual

Installation Guide
TracNet™ H30

© 2022 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved. 54-1438 Rev. A 1
TracNet™H30
Installation Guide
This guide explains how to install the TracNet H30 hybrid VSAT, cellular, and Wi-Fi communications system. Operation
instructions are provided in the Quick Start Guide.
Table of Contents
Important Safety Information............................................. 2
Inspect Parts and Get Tools.............................................. 3
Plan the Antenna Installation............................................. 4
Plan the BDU Installation................................................... 7
Prepare the Antenna Site .................................................. 8
Prepare the Antenna Cable ............................................... 9
Wire the Antenna ............................................................. 10
Mount the Antenna .......................................................... 11
Mount the BDU................................................................ 13
Wire the BDU................................................................... 14
Connect an NMEA Talker ................................................ 15
Connect Power................................................................ 16
Turn On the System......................................................... 18
Configure the System ......................................................19
No-Transmit Zones (Optional)..........................................24
Test the System ...............................................................25
Connect Vessel Network Devices....................................26
Connect the Vessel Phone...............................................27
Educate the Customer .....................................................28
Appendices
Terminating RG-58 Cable ................................................29
Connecting Pigtail Cables to the Antenna Cable.............32
Approved Cable Types ....................................................33
Verifying the NMEA 0183 Message .................................34
Wiring Diagram ................................................................35
CAUTION - RF Radiation Hazard
The antenna transmits radio frequency (RF) energy
that is potentially harmful. Whenever the system is
powered on, make sure everyone stays more than
32 ft (10 m) away from the antenna within its 
7.7-75° elevation range. No hazard exists directly
above the antenna and anywhere below the
antenna’s mounting plane.
Who Should Install the System?
To ensure a safe and effective installation, only a KVH-
certified marine technician should install the system. To
find a technician near you, visit www.kvh.com/
wheretogetservice.
Technical Support
Within Continental U.S.A.: 1 866 701-7103
Worldwide: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
2
Important Safety Information
Trademark Information
KVH, TracNet, KVH ONE, and the unique light-colored
dome with dark contrasting baseplate (Reg. No.
2,864,752) are trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective
companies.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure the correctness and
completeness of the material in this document. No
company shall be liable for errors contained herein. The
information in this document is subject to change without
notice. No warranty of any kind is made with regard to this
material, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose.
Feedback
If you have any comments regarding this manual, please
email them to [email protected]. Your input is greatly
appreciated!
Important Safety Information
This icon indicates a danger, warning, or caution
notice. Be sure to read these carefully to avoid
injury.
WARNING Risk of Electric Shock
If any component of the TracNet H30 system
becomes damaged and/or no longer functions
normally, disconnect it from vessel power,
secure it from unintended operation, and
contact KVH Technical Support (see
“Technical Support” on page 1). All repairs or
modifications must be performed by a trained,
KVH-certified technician. If you are a KVH-
certified technician, you still must contact KVH
Technical Support prior to conducting any
repairs or modifications to the equipment.
WARNING Risk of Explosion
Do not operate the TracNet Hub+ (or any other
electrical device) in an environment where
flammable gases, vapors, or dusts are present.
In addition, do not operate the unit in an
environment with a temperature outside its 
5º F to 131º F (-15º C to 55º C) temperature
range.
CAUTION Risk of Electric Shock
Failure to ground the H30 system properly to
ship’s ground will cause an unsafe floating
ground condition, risking potentially lethal
electric shock. See “Connect Power” on
page 16 for details on the proper grounding of
the equipment.
CAUTION RF Radiation Hazard
The antenna transmits up to 3 watts of radio
frequency (RF) energy that is potentially
harmful. Whenever the system is powered on,
make sure everyone stays more than 32 feet
(10 m) away from the antenna. No hazard
exists directly above or below the antenna.

3
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Inspect Parts and Get Tools
Inspect Parts and Get Tools
Before you begin, follow these steps to ensure you have
everything needed to complete the installation.
1. Unpack the box and ensure it contains everything
shown in Figure 1 and on the Kitpack Contents List.
Save the packaging for future use.
Figure 1: TracNet H30 System Components
Note: This manual refers to the TracNet Hub+ as the BDU
(Below Deck Unit).
2. Carefully examine all of the supplied parts to ensure
nothing was damaged in shipment.
3. Gather the following tools and materials:
• Flat-head and Phillips-head screwdrivers
• Electric drill and 5/16" (8 mm) bit
• 1.5" (38 mm) hole saw
• Light hammer and center punch
• Adhesive tape
• 7/16" socket on a 4" extension (for mounting bolts)
and 1/2" socket or wrench (for mounting nuts)
• Self-vulcanizing tape or equivalent
• Heat gun (for heat shrink)
• Eye protection
•Shoptowels
• Voltmeter
• Utility knife
• Flush cutters
• Wire stripper/terminal crimper
• File
• Isolation transformer, if required (see “Connect
Power” on page 16)
• Cable termination tools, if necessary (see “Prepare
the Antenna Cable” on page 9)
• NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 talker and interface
cable (see “Connect an NMEA Talker” on page 15)
• Laptop PC or Apple®or Android™smartphone/
tablet with the latest H-series antenna software
downloaded from the KVH Partner Portal
(www.kvh.com/partners), or a smartphone/tablet
with the KVH Connect app installed and loaded with
the latest antenna software
IMPORTANT!
Always lift the antenna by the baseplate and never by
the radome or any portion of the internal antenna
assembly.
IMPORTANT!
Be sure to download the AC-BDU version of software,
filename: Hxx_AC-BDU-<version no.>.bin.

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
4
Plan the Antenna Installation
Plan the Antenna Installation
Before you begin, be sure the designated install location
meets the following guidelines.
Choose a Suitable Location
• Select a location that is as close as possible to the
intersection of the vessel’s centerline and midships.
• Temperature must be within the operating range (-30ºC
to 55ºC (-22ºF to 131ºF)).
• Be sure to mount the antenna near enough to the BDU
(TracNet Hub+) to allow you to connect the 50 ft (15 m)
antenna cable (supplied in kit) between them, while still
maintaining sufficient slack in the cable to account for
appropriate bend radius and service loops.
Note: If you need to use a longer cable, refer to “Prepare
the Antenna Cable” on page 9.
Mounting Structure Requirements
Make sure the mounting surface is flat, level (within ±2º),
and wide enough to accommodate the antenna’s base.
Also make sure that the structure is strong enough to
withstand the weight of the antenna (25 lbs, 11.3 kg), as
well as other cumulative forces related to expected
operating conditions, such as ice, snow, wash down, and
maximum expected values of pitch, roll, and wind pressure
(including gusts).
Recommendation: Vibration of the mounting surface
should measure less than 0.51 gRMS total, and also less
than 0.11 gRMS at the following resonant frequencies:
• Vertical: 62-93 Hz
• Horizontal: 21-30 Hz, 63-73 Hz, 90-92 Hz
Note: Ship’s crew should consult with the shipyard to
ensure that the antenna mounting surface vibration never
exceeds the above stated conditions at any time during its
life.
Figure 2: Antenna Dimensions
IMPORTANT!
Damage caused by an improper installation is not
covered under KVH warranty.

5
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Plan the Antenna Installation
Pedestal Structure Requirements
If a pedestal is going to be used, it must meet the following
minimum requirements.
Note: If the pedestal exceeds 3.28 ft (1 m), braces must be
placed at 120° intervals. Sizing is based on Structural Steel
Tubing 60,000 psi (415 MPa) minimum yield. For more
details, refer to the Pedestal Specs Wizard (www.kvh.com/
pedestalspecs).
Note: The ship’s crew is responsible for fabricating and
installing the pedestal.
Figure 3: Pedestal and Brace Dimensions
Pedestal
Height (A)
3.28 ft
(1 m)
6.56 ft
(2 m)
9.84 ft
(3 m)
13.12 ft
(4 m)
Tube OD
(B)
5.0"
(127
mm)
5.0"
(127
mm)
5.0"
(127
mm)
8.0"
(203.2
mm)
Tube Wall
Thickness
(C)
0.25"
(6.35
mm)
0.25"
(6.35
mm)
0.25"
(6.35
mm)
0.5"
(12.7
mm)
Brace
Height (D)
N/A 5.25 ft
(1.6 m)
7.35 ft
(2.24
m)
9.12 ft
(2.78
m)
Brace OD
(E)
N/A 2.25"
(57.15
mm)
4.5"
(114.3
mm)
7.0"
(177.8
mm)
Brace
Thickness
(F)
N/A 0.25"
(6.35
mm)
0.25"
(6.35
mm)
0.25"
(6.35
mm)
Brace
Angle (G)
N/A 25º 25º 25º

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
6
Plan the Antenna Installation
Prevent RF Radiation Exposure
Select a location that is well above any areas accessible to
passengers and crew to reduce the risk of RF radiation
exposure. (See page 1 for an illustration of the hazard
area.)
If mounting the antenna near an accessible area is
unavoidable, you may configure one or two no-transmit
zones to prevent transmissions in hazardous directions.
(See “No-Transmit Zones (Optional)” on page 24 for
details.)
Minimize Satellite Blockage
The antenna requires a clear view of the sky to transmit
and receive satellite signals. The fewer obstructions, the
better the system will perform.
Figure 4: Blockage from Obstruction
Prevent Electromagnetic Interference
Maintain a minimum distance of at least 5 ft (1.5 m)
between the KVH antenna and any GPS/GNSS, cellular, or
VHF antennas or other electromagnetic-sensitive
equipment to avoid interference. Also maintain a minimum
distance of at least 1 ft (30 cm) between the KVH antenna
and any compasses.
Avoid RF Interference
Although many variables determine the exact distance
required between the antenna and radar/high-power radio
transmitters, including transmit frequency/power,
transmitter beam properties, and the reflective properties
of nearby surfaces, consider the following general
guidelines:
• Mount the KVH antenna as far away as possible from
the radar and high-power radio transmitters.
• Do not mount the antenna at the same level as the
radar. Most radar transmitters emit RF energy within an
elevation range of -15° to +15°. Therefore, mount the
antenna outside this elevation range and at least 5 ft
(1.5 m) away from the transmitter. If mounting the
antenna directly above or below the radar, minimum
distance is 3 ft (0.9 m).
Figure 5: Avoiding RF Interference
IMPORTANT!
The interference guidelines provided in this manual
cannot possibly account for all equipment variables
and vessel conditions. Therefore, KVH recommends
testing the KVH antenna at the chosen mounting
location with the other vessel equipment in operation, if
possible, prior to finalizing the installation. If
interference occurs, relocate the antenna.
IMPORTANT!
RF emissions from radars and high-power radio
transmitters may damage the antenna or impair its
performance if it’s improperly positioned within the
beam path.
IMPORTANT!
Never place the antenna in the beam path of the radar
regardless of distance. Radar energy may damage the
antenna or impair its performance.

7
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Plan the BDU Installation
Plan the BDU Installation
Before you install the BDU, be sure the designated install
location meets the following guidelines:
• Select a mounting location in a dry, well-ventilated
area belowdecks away from any heat sources or salt
spray.
• Be sure the location provides adequate Wi-Fi
reception. Do not install it in an area surrounded by
metal or near any electrical devices that emit RF
noise.
• The Hub+ is designed for mounting in a standard
equipment rack. It requires 1U of available space.
• Be sure the front panel will be easily accessible to
the user.
• Leave enough room behind the rear panel to
accommodate the connecting cables with service
loops, 14" (36 cm) in diameter.
• If you plan to connect the BDU to the vessel’s
onboard local area network (LAN), choose a location
near an available Ethernet port.
• To use the supplied antenna cable, the BDU must
be located within 50 ft (15 m) of the antenna.
However, you can order a longer cable if necessary.
Note: Installation details are provided in “Mount the BDU”
on page 13.
Figure 6: BDU Dimensions

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
8
Prepare the Antenna Site
Prepare the Antenna Site
Once you have identified a suitable antenna mounting site,
according to the guidelines provided in “Plan the Antenna
Installation” on page 4, follow these steps to prepare the
site for installation.
1. 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.
Note: You don’t need to mount the antenna exactly on the
vessel’s centerline, but the antenna’s forward arrow must
be parallel to it.
Figure 7: Mounting Bolt Hole Pattern Examples
2. Using a light hammer and center punch, mark the
locations for the four mounting holes and cable access
hole on the mounting surface in the locations indicated
on the template.
3. Drill a 5/16" (8 mm) hole at the four mounting hole
locations you marked in Step 2. Later, you will insert
four 1/4"-20 bolts through these holes to secure the
antenna to the mounting surface.
4. Cut out the 1.5" (38 mm) cable access hole in the
location you marked in Step 2. Smooth the edges of
the hole to protect the antenna cable. (You may also
apply anti-chafe material around the antenna cable to
prevent abrasion.) Later, you will route the antenna
cable through this hole and into the vessel.
5. Clean and dry the antenna mounting surface.
6. 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, ensuring it is
centered within the mounting bolt pattern and abuts
the outside edge of the cable access hole, as shown in
Figure 8.
Note: Apply the foam seal to the vessel mounting surface,
not to the antenna’s baseplate. You will have difficulty
connecting the antenna cable to the antenna if the foam
seal is attached to the baseplate.
Figure 8: Antenna Mounting Holes Layout
IMPORTANT!
Use only the KVH-supplied foam seal. Do not use any
seals that may come with a third-party antenna mount,
as they may block the drain holes in the baseplate.
IMPORTANT!
The foam seal must be centered between the mounting
bolt holes. The edge of the cable access hole will be
close to the inner wall of the foam seal. (Unlike HTS
antenna models, the center of the foam seal should not
be aligned with the cable access hole, as the cable
connector is offset from center.)

9
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Prepare the Antenna Cable
Prepare the Antenna Cable
You need to connect a single coax cable from the antenna
to the BDU. KVH recommends using the supplied 50 ft
(15 m) RG-58 cable. However, you may purchase a
different cable for a longer run (see Figure 9 to determine
type of cable and connectors required), or you may use a
different cable of an acceptable type and length, as
specified in “Approved Cable Types” on page 33 or the
Cable Specs Wizard at www.kvh.com/TracNetcables.If
you wish to reuse an existing cable from a previously
installed antenna, it must be clean, free of rust or
corrosion, and meet KVH specs for type and length.
The cable run must meet the following requirements:
• A low-quality, poorly terminated, or improperly installed
cable is the most common cause of system problems.
If the cable is modified for any reason, it must be
terminated again with new connectors, using the
proper tools, exactly to the manufacturer’s
specifications. See “Terminating RG-58 Cable” on
page 29 for instructions for the supplied cable. Only
KVH-authorized marine technicians should modify
the antenna cable, if necessary.
• Use of any cable type not approved by KVH will void
the warranty.
• Make sure the center conductor pin at each end of the
finished cable is free of burrs, as well as the correct
length and diameter specified in Figure 9, to ensure
proper engagement.
• Make sure there is no gap between the end of the cable
jacket and the start of the connector.
• When determining cable lengths, don’t forget to
account for service loops, 14" (36 cm) in diameter, at
each end, and ensure you can maintain the minimum
bend radius (which differs per cable) throughout the
cable run.
• If you do not use an RG-58 or LMR-240 cable, you
need to connect a pigtail cable between it and the
BDU. You may also use a pigtail cable at the antenna
end to maintain proper bend radius. These pigtail
cables are available from KVH. See “Connecting Pigtail
Cables to the Antenna Cable” on page 32.
Note: Cables purchased from KVH include the proper
connectors.
Figure 9: New Cable Run Options (Available from KVH)
IMPORTANT!
The integrity and reliability of the antenna cable is
critically important. Make sure it is properly terminated,
sealed against seawater and corrosion, strain-relieved,
protected from abrasion, and free of stress.
RG-58 (50
Max. length 100 ft (30 m)
KVH part nos. 50 ft (15 m): 32-1439-0050
100 ft (30 m): 32-1439-0100
Connector PE4156
Tools Amphenol 47-10070 Crimp Tool,
Steren 204-202 or Hanlong HT-312B
Strip Tool (KVH part no. 72-0982)
Strip lengths
LMR-240 (50
Max. length 300 ft (90 m)
KVH part nos. 200 ft (60 m): 32-1453-0200
300 ft (90 m): 32-1453-0300
Connectors EZ-240-TM-X
Tools Times Microwave CT-240 Crimp
Tool, CST-240 Strip Tool, DBT-U
Debur Tool (KVH part no. 72-0949)
Strip lengths
LMR-400 (50
Max. length 500 ft (150 m)
KVH part no. 400 ft (120 m): 32-1441-0400
Connectors EZ-400-TM-X
Tools Times Microwave CT-400 Crimp
Tool, CST-400 Strip Tool, DBT-U
Debur Tool (KVH part no. 72-0950)
Strip lengths

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
10
Wire the Antenna
Wire the Antenna
Follow these steps to connect the antenna cable to the
antenna’s baseplate connector.
Route the Cable Belowdecks
1. Route the opposite end of the antenna cable
belowdecks through the 1.5" (38 mm) cable access
hole. Leave an adequate service loop, 14" (36 cm) in
diameter, at the antenna location for serviceability.
2. Route the cable to the BDU location (you will connect
it later). Always maintain the minimum bend radius in
the cable.
Figure 10: Minimum Bend Radius
Connect the Cable to the Antenna
1. Clean and dry the antenna cable’s connector and the
connector on the bottom of the baseplate.
Figure 11: Antenna Baseplate Connector
2. Fill half of the inner body of the cable’s male connector
with the supplied silicone grease.
3. Connect and SLOWLY hand-tighten the cable to the
antenna’s connector, allowing the grease to diffuse
and settle into the entire space within the connector.
4. Make sure the cable connector is hand-tightened all
the way into the antenna’s connector.
5. Seal the cable connection with self-vulcanizing tape or
equivalent.
Figure 12: Connecting the Cable to the Antenna
6. Secure the antenna cable near the antenna to relieve
stress.
7. Weatherproof and seal the cable access hole.
Figure 13: Strain-relief (Finished Installation Example)
Cable Type Min. Bend Radius
RG-58 2" (5.1 cm)
LMR-240 2.5" (6.4 cm)
LMR-400 4.5" (11.5 cm)
CAUTION
Be sure to observe the safe handling
instructions in the Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) provided with the silicone grease.

11
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Mount the Antenna
Mount the Antenna
Follow these steps to first remove the radome and foam
shipping restraint, and then mount the antenna to the
mounting surface.
1. Remove the three #10-32 screws securing the radome
to the baseplate. Carefully lift the radome straight up
until clear of the antenna assembly and set it aside in a
safe place. If you keep the radome topside, secure it
with a lanyard to prevent it from falling overboard.
Note: Due to the snug fit, some contact between the
radome’s sealing gasket and the antenna mechanism is
normal during radome removal and installation.
Figure 14: Removing the Radome
2. Remove the foam shipping restraint and save it for
future use.
Figure 15: Removing the Restraint
CAUTION
Once you have removed the restraint, handle
the antenna carefully, as its internal assembly
will rotate freely. Whenever you need to tilt the
antenna, be sure to guard against having the
internal assembly swinging around and
potentially crushing your fingers.
IMPORTANT!
Do not remove the tie-wraps securing the Wi-Fi and
cellular antennas to the antenna frame. These are
permanent and are not shipping restraints.

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
12
Mount the Antenna
3. Place the antenna baseplate over the holes drilled in
the mounting surface and make sure the forward arrow
inside the baseplate points toward the bow and is
parallel to the vessel’s centerline. The antenna’s
baseplate should rest squarely atop the foam seal.
Figure 16: Forward Arrow in Antenna Baseplate
4. Apply a thin layer of the supplied anti-seize lubricant to
the threads of the four 1/4"-20 bolts to prevent galling.
5. At the baseplate mounting hole that you can see
without rotating the antenna assembly, place a 5/8"
diameter flat washer on a 1/4"-20 bolt and insert the
bolt into the hole from above.
6. Secure the mounting bolt to the mounting surface
using a 1" diameter flat washer and a 1/4"-20 lock nut
from below.
7. You will need to rotate the antenna assembly slowly by
hand to reveal each remaining mounting hole. Repeat
Steps 5-6 at the remaining mounting holes, one at a
time.
8. Tighten all four bolts until the four rubber feet on the
baseplate are bottomed against the mounting surface
and the foam seal is fully compressed.
Figure 17: Mounting the Antenna (Side View)
9. Reinstall the radome onto the antenna. Secure in place
with the three #10-32 screws you removed earlier (see
Figure 14 on page 11).
10. Install a protective plastic cap (supplied in kit) over
each radome screw.
CAUTION
Be sure to observe the safe handling
instructions in the Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) provided with the anti-seize lubricant.
IMPORTANT!
Avoid using power tools. High installation speeds can
damage the threads.

13
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Mount the BDU
Mount the BDU
Follow these steps to install the BDU inside the vessel. The
BDU can be mounted either in an equipment rack
(preferred) or on a shelf.
Note: You may choose to wait to mount the BDU until after
you have completed all system wiring.
Connect the Wi-Fi Antennas
First, connect the two supplied Wi-Fi antennas to the rear
panel of the BDU.
Figure 18: Wi-Fi Antenna Connections
Mounting the BDU in a Rack
The Hub+ BDU can be mounted in a standard equipment
rack. You will need 1U of available space.
1. Be sure to support the bottom of the BDU – don’t rely
on the front mounting brackets alone. The BDU weighs
8.3 lbs (3.7 kg). If the rack does not already provide
underside support, install the “L” rails provided in the
kit (see Figure 19). These rails can be nested for
extended depth; connect them end-to-end using the
supplied M5 screws and nuts (not shown in the figure).
Figure 19: “L” Rail Installation
2. Attach the supplied strain-relief bracket to the back of
the BDU using four supplied M3 screws.
Figure 20: Attaching the Strain-Relief Bracket
3. Insert the BDU into the rack and secure its front
brackets to the rack with appropriate fasteners.
Figure 21: BDU Front Mounting Brackets
Mounting the BDU on a Shelf
1. Attach the supplied strain-relief bracket to the back of
the BDU using the four supplied M3 screws (see
Figure 20).
2. Secure the BDU in an adequate manner to prevent it
from shifting while the vessel is in motion. Heavy-duty
hook-and-loop tape is provided in the kit.
Note: If you choose not to use the supplied hook-and-loop
tape, adhesive-backed rubber feet are also supplied in the
kit to attach to the BDU’s underside to protect the
mounting surface.

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
14
Wire the BDU
Wire the BDU
Follow these steps to connect the antenna cable to the
BDU.
1. Clean and dry the “Antenna” connector on the BDU.
2. Fill half of the inner body of the antenna cable’s male
connector with the supplied silicone grease.
3. Connect and SLOWLY hand-tighten the cable to the
BDU connector, allowing the grease to diffuse and
settle into the entire space within the connector. Do
not use a tool or overtighten.
4. Secure the antenna cable to the strain-relief bracket.
Also make sure the cable will not get bent or twisted
near the BDU’s connection, which can put additional
stress on the connector.
Figure 22: Antenna Cable Connection
IMPORTANT!
If you are using an RG-58 or LMR-240 cable, you may
connect it directly to the BDU. If you are using any
other type of cable, you must connect a pigtail cable
between it and the BDU. See “Connecting Pigtail
Cables to the Antenna Cable” on page 32.
IMPORTANT!
Do not connect anything other than the antenna cable
to the “Antenna” connector. The BDU supplies voltage
that will damage other devices.

15
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Connect an NMEA Talker
Connect an NMEA Talker
The antenna requires a vessel heading input from a
customer-supplied NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 talker.
Optionally, you can also provide a vessel position input to
serve as a backup to the antenna’s built-in GPS.
NMEA 0183
1. Connect the NMEA 0183 talker to the 2-position
terminal strip connector (supplied in kit), as shown in
Figure 25. Then plug the connector into the rear panel
of the BDU.
2. Configure the NMEA device to transmit one or more of
the supported NMEA 0183 messages at 4800 baud.
3. Make sure the data message(s) includes the
checksum, identifiable by a *xx field at the end of the
data sentence (e.g., $HEHDT,123.4, T*1F). See
“Verifying the NMEA 0183 Message” on page 34 for
details. Do not exceed a 10 Hz input rate.
Note: To supply both the required heading and the
optional position to the BDU, you can either connect an
NMEA 0183 talker that transmits both messages, or
connect two devices using an NMEA data multiplexer, such
as Actisense®model NDC-4.
Figure 23: Supported NMEA 0183 Messages
NMEA 2000
1. Connect the BDU to the vessel’s NMEA 2000 CAN
network backbone via a “T” connector. Be sure to use
a standard drop cable: 5-wire (4 conductors + shield)
twisted pair with micro-C connectors.
2. Configure the NMEA device to transmit one or more of
the supported NMEA 2000 messages.
Figure 24: Supported NMEA 2000 Messages
Figure 25: NMEA Wiring
NMEA 0183 $--XXX Description
Heading Messages
HDG Heading, Deviation & Variation
HDM Heading, Magnetic
HDT Heading, True
OSD Own Ship Data
THS True Heading & Status
VHW Water Speed and Heading
Position Message (Optional)
RMC Position (Optional)
PGN Description
Heading Messages
127250 Vessel Heading
Position Message (Optional)
129029 GNSS Position Data (Optional)

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
16
Connect Power
Connect Power
Before you begin, be sure that you understand the
following important requirements:
AC Power Requirements
The TracNet system is designed to run on 3-wire single-
phase AC power (hot, neutral, and ground). Voltage
between hot-neutral and hot-ground should each measure
between 100-240 VAC.
Many large ships use two-phase, split-phase, or delta
power instead (3 wires: hot, hot, and ground; no neutral). In
this case, voltage between hot-hot measures the proper
voltage (100-240 VAC); while hot-ground measures only
half the voltage (50-120 VAC). Although the TracNet
system can operate on this type of power, the excess
voltage present on the second phase will cause a small
amount of current to leak onto ship's ground. This leakage
current might be unacceptable on some vessels. So check
with the customer or ship's electrician and get permission
before you run the system on two-phase power. Also be
sure to ground the system, as explained below.
If two-phase power is the only available power source
onboard, and if leakage current is unacceptable, KVH
recommends that you install a suitable isolation
transformer to supply single-phase power to the antenna
system and run a ground wire from the transformer to
ship's ground. In addition, since ground fault protection
devices cannot detect faults behind a transformer, you will
also need to install a ground fault monitoring device
between the isolation transformer and the antenna system
if ground fault protection is required on the vessel.
Grounding Requirements
Proper grounding of the TracNet system to ship's ground
is critically important, as it protects the equipment from
electrostatic discharges (ESD). Failure to ground the
chassis of the BDU risks damage to the antenna and
electric shock.
Figure 26: AC Power Options

17
TracNet H30 Installation Guide Connect Power
Connecting Power
Once you have read and understand the requirements on
the previous page, follow these steps to connect power to
the TracNet system.
1. Disconnect vessel power and be sure the vessel is
properly grounded in accordance with marine
standards.
2. Connect the supplied ground wire from the ground
stud on the rear panel of the BDU to ship’s common
ground (see Figure 27).
3. Connect the supplied AC power cord to the BDU.
4. Plug the BDU power cord into the vessel’s 100-240
VAC supply.
Note: Consider installing an uninterruptible power supply
(UPS) to avoid service interruptions during power outages
and transitions to/from shore power.
5. Check for proper grounding by using a multimeter to
measure the AC and DC voltages between the ground
stud on the rear of the BDU and ship’s ground. The
measured voltage should be less than 
2 VAC and 2 VDC. A higher voltage indicates a
dangerous floating ground condition.
6. Repeat the previous step with the BDU powered on,
looking for the same measured result.
Figure 27: Power Wiring
WARNING
Failure to ground the BDU properly to ship’s
ground will cause an unsafe floating ground
condition, risking damage to the antenna
and electric shock, potentially resulting in
DEATH. In a floating ground condition, the
difference between the equipment's chassis
ground and the vessel’s ground can measure
well over 100 volts, when it normally should
not exceed 2 volts. Therefore, always measure
the difference in potential between chassis
ground and ship’s ground to make certain that
there is no dangerous floating ground
condition, even if the ground pin of the vessel’s
AC power plug appears to be intact.
WARNING
If you measure 2 volts or greater between
the ground stud on the rear of the BDU and
ship’s ground, notify the ship’s electrician
or authorized vessel representative
immediately. This is a dangerous condition.
Do not touch the BDU rear panel or connect
anything to it until the problem is fixed.

TracNet H30 Installation Guide
18
Turn On the System
Turn On the System
Follow these steps to turn on the system.
1. Ensure the antenna has a clear, unobstructed view of
the sky.
2. Apply vessel power to the TracNet system.
3. Press the power button on the front of the BDU. The
button’s light should illuminate blue.
Figure 28: BDU Power Button
4. At the BDU’s front panel touchscreen, go to the VSAT
page (2) and monitor the antenna status. Within two
minutes, the antenna should complete initialization
and start searching for the satellite. Also make sure no
errors are reported in the header (see example in
Figure 30).
Figure 29: VSAT Status Page on Front Panel
Figure 30: Error Message on Front Panel (Example)
IMPORTANT!
During startup, the BDU checks the software version
installed in the antenna and updates it if necessary to
match its currently installed version. Do not turn off the
system for at least 15 minutes or while any updates are
in progress (indicated on the BDU’s front panel).
SATELLITE G11 @ 93.1W
BEAM KU: 2
SATS IN VIEW 6
RX / TX POWER -100.0 / 0.00 dBm
123456789
SNR -100.0dB
AZ / EL
HEADING
209º / 37º
231.42°T
ANTENNA Searching
VSAT
24112 Limit Switch Failure 2 of 3
12 3456 789
SHORE WI-FICELLVSAT
-100.0dB
OFFLINE
SNR
Vodaphone LTE