KVH Industries TracVision M3 User manual

TracVision M3 Installation Guide

54-0274-01 Rev. A 1© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
These instructions explain how to install the TracVision M3 satellite TV antenna
system on a vessel. Complete instructions on how to use the system are provided in
the Quick Start Guide and Receiver User’s Guide.
TracVision®M3 Installation Guide
Who Should Install the System?
To ensure a safe and effective installation, KVH recommends that a KVH-authorized
marine technician install the TracVision M3 system. To find a technician near you, go to
www.kvh.com/wheretogetservice. If you purchased the product and decide to install it
yourself, please see the enclosed warranty statement for warranty implications.
Technical Support
If you need technical assistance, please contact KVH Technical Support:
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.kvh.com/help
Receiver Activation
Once the system is fully installed, the owner needs to call
KVH’s Activation Department to activate the receiver for
DIRECTV®service:
Toll-free at 1-866-551-8004
The owner will need the red Activation Card when
calling to activate. In addition, the antenna will need to
be turned on and locked onto the satellite. See page v of
the Receiver User’s Guide for details.
KVH and TracVision are registered trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.; DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. No company shall be liable for errors contained herein.
051099999 051077777
Important Safety Precaution
DO NOT apply power to the TracVision antenna with the radome removed
because the antenna has moving parts that can cause injury.
CAUTION

1. Unpack the box and ensure it contains
everything shown on the Contents List. Save
the packaging in case you need to reship the
system.
2. Carefully examine all of the supplied parts to
ensure nothing was damaged in shipment.
3. Gather all of the tools and materials listed
below. You will need these items to complete
the installation.
4. Peel off the extra serial number label (taped to
the antenna) and affix it in the appropriate
box on the red Activation Card.
54-0274-01 Rev. A 2© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
Inspect Parts and Get Tools
1
Always lift the antenna by the
silver base and never by the
radome or any portion of the
internal antenna assembly.
• #2 Phillips screwdriver
•7⁄16" open-end wrench
•7⁄16" socket wrench
•1⁄2" socket or open-end
wrench
• Electric drill
•5⁄16" (8 mm) drill bit
• Silicone sealant or
equivalent
• Hole saw of desired diameter
(for cable access hole, see page 4)
• Adhesive tape
• Light hammer
• Center punch
• Four 1⁄4" fasteners
(optional for mounting the receiver,
see page 10)
Affix Serial
Number
Antenna
Receiver Connector
Cover
Radome
Base
051099999

54-0274-01 Rev. A 3© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
Before you begin, consider the following installation guidelines:
Plan the Installation
2
Antenna
Vessel Platform
Radar
Blocked!
4 x 0.31"
( 0.79 cm)
15.5"
(39.37 cm)
9.2"
(23.37 cm)
4.6"
(11.68 cm)
2.8"
(7.11 cm) 5.6"
(14.22 cm)
FWD
17.32"
(44 cm)
• Minimize blockage. The antenna requires a
clear view of the sky to receive satellite TV.
The fewer obstructions above decks, the
better the system will perform.
• When choosing a mounting surface, ensure
it is wide enough to accommodate the
antenna’s base. See illustrations for antenna
dimensions.
• Ensure the mounting surface is flat, level
(within ±2º), and strong enough to support
the 18-pound antenna. Use a separate
mounting plate, if necessary.
• Custom mounting solutions, including
struts and masts, are available from several
third-party manufacturers. Contact your
local KVH dealer 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 belowdecks receiver to
allow you to connect the 50-ft. (15 m) coax
cable between the antenna and the receiver,
while still maintaining sufficient slack in
the cable. The antenna cable CANNOT be
extended.
• When choosing a location for the receiver,
find a dry, well-ventilated area belowdecks
away from any heat sources. Also be sure
the receiver’s front panel will be easily
accessible to the user and the three lights on
the top of the receiver will be visible.

54-0274-01 Rev. A 4© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
1. Unfold the supplied template
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. You do not
need to mount the antenna exactly
on the vessel’s centerline, but the
antenna’s forward arrow must be
parallel to it.
2. Use the template to mark the
four hole locations on the
mounting surface.
3. Drill a 5⁄16" (8 mm) hole at the
four locations you marked in
Step 2. Later, you will insert four
1⁄4"-20 bolts from above to secure the
antenna to the mounting surface.
4. 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.
5. Drill the cable access hole in the
location you marked in Step 4. 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.
Prepare the Mounting Site
3
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 Location
)
Antenna Base
X
Be sure the mounting surface is
flat and level. Use a separate
mounting plate, if necessary.
Drilling Antenna
Mounting Holes

54-0274-01 Rev. A 5© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
1. Clean and dry the antenna mounting
surface.
2. Peel off the paper backing from the donut-
shaped foam seal to expose the adhesive.
Then press the foam seal down firmly onto
the mounting surface, centered between the
antenna mounting holes.
3. Using the supplied 3 mm Allen hex key,
remove the connector cover from the
antenna’s base. Save the cover and the four
M4 cap screws for later use.
4. Route either end of the antenna cable into
the vessel. Later, you will connect this end of
the cable to the belowdecks receiver. You will
connect the other end to the antenna.
5. If you wish to route the cable beneath the
antenna, attach the right-angle connector to
the end of the cable. Hand-tighten, then
tighten with a 7⁄16" wrench for 1⁄4turn to
ensure an electrical and weather-proof
connection
6. Connect the cable to the antenna. Hand-
tighten, then tighten with a 7⁄16" wrench for
1⁄4turn. Rigging tape is recommended to protect
the connector.
7. Reattach the cover over the connector.
Secure in place with the M4 cap screws you
removed in Step 3. The cover must be
attached before you mount the antenna.
8. Leave an adequate service loop,
approximately 8" (20 cm) of slack, in the
antenna cable for easy serviceability.
9. Seal the cable access hole with silicone
sealant or equivalent.
Wire the Antenna
Foam Seal
Antenna Cable
Connector Cover
Right-angle
Connector
Wire the Antenna
4

54-0274-01 Rev. A 6© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
1. Remove the three #10-32 screws securing
the radome to the antenna. Carefully
remove the radome and set it aside in a safe
place. Due to the snug fit, some contact
between the radome’s sealing gasket and the
antenna mechanism is normal.
2. Position the antenna onto the mounting
surface. The antenna’s base should rest
squarely atop the foam seal.
3. Align the four holes in the antenna’s base
with the four holes in the mounting surface.
Be sure the antenna’s “Forward” arrow
points toward the bow.
4. Secure the antenna’s base to the mounting
surface using four 1⁄4"-20 bolts, 5⁄8" washers,
1" washers, and lock nuts, as shown in the
illustration. Be sure to insert the bolts from
above and use the supplied hardware for a
secure installation.
5. Tighten the bolts until the foam seal is fully
compressed and the antenna’s four rubber
feet are bottomed against the mounting
surface.
Mount the Antenna
5
1/4"-20 x 3" Bolt
1/4" Flat Washer
(5/8" diameter)
Antenna Base
Foam Seal
Mounting Surface
1/4" Flat Washer
(1" diameter)
1/4"-20 Lock Nut
“Forward” Arrow
Insert the mounting bolts into
the antenna’s base from above,
not below.
Tighten Bolts
from Above

54-0274-01 Rev. A 7© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
1. Using a 7⁄16" socket wrench, remove the two
bolts securing the antenna assembly to the
base. Be sure to remove both of these
shipping restraints, along with the washers
and spacers. Save the restraints for future use.
Remove the Restraints
6
Shipping Restraints
Washer
Bolt
Spacer
Antenna
Radome
2. Reinstall the antenna radome. While
pressing the radome down onto the base,
secure the radome to the base using the three
#10-32 screws you removed earlier. The
radome’s “TracVision” labels should face fore
and aft.
3. Install a protective plastic screw cap (supplied
in the kit) over each radome screw.
Antenna Mounted
Be sure to remove both shipping
restraint bolts, washers, and
spacers. The antenna will not
work with these restraints still
installed.

54-0274-01 Rev. A 8© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
1. Connect the antenna cable (A) to the “To KVH
Antenna” jack. Do not kink/stress the cable.
2. Connect the RF converter cable (B) to the “RF
Remote Input” jack.
3. Connect the receiver to the vessel’s entertainment
system (TV). Choose one of the following options:
Option 1 - RCA-type A/V jacks (use bottom row)
Option 2 - S-Video jack (provides best picture quality)
Option 3 - RF coaxial connector
Cables for option 1 are included in the kit.
4. (Optional) If you have a VHF TV antenna onboard,
you can connect it to the “VHF Antenna In” jack on
the receiver. If you connect a VHF antenna to the
receiver, you need to use the receiver’s RF coaxial
connector (option 3) to supply VHF video to the TV.
5. Be sure to tighten all connections. Also be sure to
leave enough slack in the cables (service loop) for
easy serviceability, allowing you to access the
receiver’s rear panel with the cables connected.
For details on connecting an additional receiver,
please see Appendix A in the Receiver User’s Guide.
Wire the Receiver
7
Do not shorten or extend
the antenna cable. Since the
antenna cable carries data,
power, and communications,
the integrity of this cable
and its connections is very
important.
Antenna
RF Converter
Receiver
Deck
Service/
Maintenance
Only
To Audio
To Video
(Option 1)
To Video
(Option 1)
To Video
(Option 3)
To Video
(Option 2)
To VHF Antenna
(Optional)
POWER
VEHICLE POWER
(10-16 VDC)
VHF ANTENNA
IN
AUDIO R AUDIO L VIDEO S – VIDEO PHONE JACK
RF
REMOTE
INPUT OUT TO TV
TUNER
SATELLITE IN
CAUTION
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This device must not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Tested to comply
with FCC Standards
TO SATELLITE
IN
TO KVH
ANTENNA
DIAGNOSTICS
PORT 1
DIAGNOSTICS
PORT 2
(A)
(B)
Do not disconnect the
short cable on the back
of the receiver.
Be sure to route cables with-
in the vessel appropriately to
avoid damage. For example,
do not route any cables
through wet areas (bilges) or
near hot exhaust pipes.

54-0274-01 Rev. A 9© 2005 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
Connect Power
8
The receiver requires a 10-16 volts DC (VDC) power
input supporting 50 watts (4.2 amps @ 12 VDC).
1. Before you connect the receiver’s power wires,
turn off vessel power and test the circuit to
ensure no power is present.
2. Connect the receiver’s individual power wires to
a dedicated 10-amp or 15-amp circuit breaker.
Connect the negative (black) wire to ground
(power return), and connect the positive (red)
wire to +12 VDC vessel power.
3. Plug the other end of the power wires into the
“Vehicle Power” jack on the receiver’s rear panel.
Do not remove the small ferrite coil that is clamped
onto the power wires. This coil suppresses EMI
(electromagnetic interference) from the receiver.
For your own safety, shut
down vessel power before
you connect the wires.
Receiver
DC Power
Ground
Vessel Power
(10-16 VDC)
Fuse (6 amp)
POWER
VEHICLE POWER
(10-16 VDC)
VHF ANTENNA
IN
AUDIO R AUDIO L VIDEO S – VIDEO PHONE JACK
RF
REMOTE
INPUT OUT TO TV
TUNER
SATELLITE IN
CAUTION
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This device must not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Tested to comply
with FCC Standards
TO SATELLITE
IN
TO KVH
ANTENNA
DIAGNOSTICS
PORT 1
DIAGNOSTICS
PORT 2
Ferrite
Coil