Rover KD1500 User manual

11200 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55438-2453
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.kingcontrols.com
Automatic Satellite TV Antenna
KD1500
Owner’s Manual
Solutions for Mobile Markets
21443 REV B
®

Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Contents Page
1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2. INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3. ANTENNA CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
4. RECEIVER CONFIGURATION - DISH AND BELL TV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14
5. OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
6. TAILGATER MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-27
7. SECOND RECEIVER OPERATION - DISH AND BELL TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29
8. TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
9. MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
10. LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Bell TV is an official trademark of Bell Canada.
DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc.
DISH and Tailgater are registered trademarks of DISH Network L.L.C.
Rover is a trademark of Electronic Controlled Systems DBA King Controls.
King-Dome and King Controls are registered trademarks of Electronic Controlled Systems DBA King Controls.
IMPORTANT!
The satellite TV market is expanding and changing. The information in this manual was accurate at the time
of printing. If your Rover™ Satellite Antenna does not operate as outlined in this manual, please call King
Controls at [phone] or visit our website at www.kingcontrols.com. King Controls is not responsible for
changes outside of its control.
Please read this entire manual before installing and using your new antenna.
IMPORTANT! DISH®CUSTOMERS WITH HD SOLO RECEIVERS ONLY!
If you have a DISH model ViP211z, ViP211k, ViP211 or 411 single tuner HD receiver, you can use the DISH
Tailgater®user interface on your receiver (see Sections 3 and 6).

Page 2
Section 1 INTRODUCTION
The Rover Satellite System includes 3 main components (Fig. 1).
Dome (Antenna) Unit Located on the roof of the vehicle. The satellite dish and
electronics are covered by a protective dome that keeps operational
components free from the elements.
Controller Located in the vehicle. Activates the search mode and provides
limited diagnostic functions using the controller’s lights.
15 Watt Power Supply Located in the vehicle. Supplies proper operating voltage to the
Rover Controller. (The antenna unit draws power thru the coax from
the receiver.)
FIG. 1 NOTE: Overview only. See connection
diagram in INSTALLATION
section for detailed information.
NOTE: The Rover will not work with DIRECTV SWM only receivers.
It will not receive channels broadcast from DIRECTV’s Ka
band satellites at 99° and 103°.
Do not use dual tuner receivers or receivers with built-in
recorders if your programming is broadcast from more than
one satellite.
Bell TV: You may experience difficulty receiving your
programming more than approximately 100 miles south of
the Canadian/US border.
NOTE: ATV, satellite receiver, and program subscription are also required for satellite TV viewing (sold separately).

Page 3
TOOLS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED
• drill and drill bit set
• tape measure
• 7/16” open end wrench (coax connections)
• adhesive sealant (compatible with roof material)
• appropriate fasteners to install all components and wiring
KIT CONTENTS
1. Unpack and identify all components (Fig. 2).
FIG. 2
Section 2 INSTALLATION

Page 4
HEIGHT OF
OBSTRUCTION
APPROXIMATE
MINIMUM DISTANCE
TO DOME EDGE
10” 8”
11” 10”
12” 12”
13” 14”
14” 16”
15” 18”
16” 20”
DOME UNIT LOCATION
2. Select an area on the roof for the dome unit and the location where the wiring will enter the
vehicle through the roof to the satellite receiver inside using the following criteria:
a) A shorter distance between the dome unit and the satellite receiver is most desirable.
b) The dome unit requires a 28 inch diameter mounting area.
c) The dome unit should be mounted on the centerline of the vehicle.
d) There must be no “line of sight” obstructions. Air conditioning units, other antennas, and
storage areas that are too close to the dome unit may prevent the satellite signal from
reaching the antenna (Fig. 3).
FIG. 3
NOTE: Many RVs are pre-wired for satellite with RG-6 coax cable. Contact the manufacturer of your RV or your local
dealer to verify where this cable is located.
If pre-wired, run the existing coax cable from the pre-wire location in the roof to the dome unit. When choosing
the dome unit location, make sure the pre-wiring will reach the dome unit.
Make all connections, properly route and fasten wiring to roof, and completely waterproof entry hole with the
cable entry cover as shown in this section. You may still run a second coax to the rear of the vehicle for an
optional second receiver.

Page 5
DOME UNIT INSTALLATION
IMPORTANT! Cable connections must ALWAYS be positioned facing the rear of vehicle.
3. Place dome unit on installation location chosen using the criteria discussed on the previous
page. Cable connections must be positioned facing rear of vehicle.
4. The dome unit must be positioned so that both mounting feet on each side of the vehicle are
equal distances from the roof edge. This should be checked by measuring the distance from
each foot to the roof edge. Confirm that these measurements are equal (Fig. 4).
5. Mount the dome unit. Use the pre-drilled holes in the mounting feet as a guide to install the
fasteners into the roof. Use additional fasteners whenever necessary.
6. Test that the dome unit is secure by pulling upward from each foot location.
NOTE: The installer is responsible for determining the most appropriate fastener to secure the dome unit to the roof.
Depending on the roof material, fasteners such as lag screws, well nuts, sheet metal screws, toggle bolts and T
anchors may be used, and should always be used in combination with a roof compatible sealant.
IMPORTANT! The installer is responsible for weatherproofing all holes with sealant.
IMPORTANT! The dome unit should never be mounted so that it is tilted more
than two degrees in any direction.
FIG. 4
IMPORTANT!
Cable connections
must always face
REAR of vehicle.

Page 6
EXTERNAL WIRING
7. Fill end of coax cable that will connect to the MAIN port on the dome unit with supplied
dielectric grease. Connect this end of the coax cable to the MAIN port and tighten connection
(Fig. 5). DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
If using a second receiver, fill end of second coax cable with supplied dielectric grease and
connect it to the AUX port. Tighten connection. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
8. Run coax from the back of the dome unit to the roof edge, then along edge to location where
coax will be fed into the vehicle. If installing an optional second receiver, run second coax to
location where it will enter the vehicle. Secure (both) coax to roof every 12-18 inches (Fig. 6).
NOTE: There are two coax ports on the back of the dome unit. The one labeled “MAIN” MUST be connected to the
main receiver in vehicle. This is the receiver that will control automatic satellite switching if applicable. The
one labeled “AUX” can be used for an additional receiver, or connected to the second input on a DIRECTV
DVR.
FIG. 5
IMPORTANT! Coax connections should be snug. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!
IMPORTANT!
FILL ENDS OF BOTH EXTERNAL
COAX CABLES WITH GREASE.
Failure to do so will void product warranty.

Page 7
9. Drill 3/4” hole through the roof and into the cabinet where receiver is stored. Feed coax down
through hole. Seal opening with roof compatible sealant so that it is completely waterproof
(inside and outside of the 3/4” hole). Repeat for second coax if present.
10. Fasten cable entry cover to roof. Seal mounting holes, perimeter of cover and cable opening
so they are completely waterproof.
11. Remove blue protective sheet and red “position to rear” sticker from the dome unit.
IMPORTANT! Installer is responsible for determining proper roof compatible fasteners for cable entry cover.
Roof hole for wiring must be sealed so it is completely waterproof. Mounting holes, perimeter of
cable entry cover and cable opening of cable entry cover must be sealed so they are completely
waterproof. SEALANT MUST BE ROOF COMPATIBLE.
IMPORTANT!
Sealant must be roof compatible.
FIG. 6

Page 8
INTERNAL WIRING
12. Make the connections IN THE ORDER SHOWN on the next page.
13. After internal connections are made, go to ANTENNA CONFIGURATION on page 10.
NOTE TO DISH AND BELL TV SUBSCRIBERS:
If using a second receiver, do not connect it until instructed to do so in the SECOND
RECEIVER OPERATION section.
NOTE: Using multiple receivers is not recommended for multi-satellite services where automatic satellite switching is
desired. Do not use dual tuner receivers or receivers with built-in recorders when satellite service is broadcast
from more than one satellite.
NOTE FOR DISH SERVICES: For automatic satellite switching, King Controls recommends using a DISH model
311 receiver for DISH SD, and a DISH model ViP211z, ViP211k, ViP211 or 411 HDTV
receiver for DISH SD and HD or DISH SD and HD Alternate.

Page 9
IMPORTANT! DISH and Bell TV Subscribers:
Do not connect 2nd receiver at this time.
DISH and Bell TV Subscribers:
Do not connect 2nd receiver at this time.

Page 10
Section 3 ANTENNA CONFIGURATION
The Rover is factory pre-set for DIRECTV standard digital programming broadcast from the
101° W satellite (DIRECTV SD). If you also receive your local channels from DIRECTV’s 119 satellite
or if you subscribe to DISH or Bell TV programming, you must configure the antenna to work with
your satellite service. Doing this will allow the Rover to lock on the correct satellites to receive your
programming and also enable automatic satellite switching via the receiver’s remote control for
multi-satellite service.
Antenna configuration is a one time procedure that MUST BE COMPLETED before using your
Rover antenna. To configure your antenna, do the following:
1. Press POWER to turn on Rover controller. The COAX CONNECTION light will flash for
approximately 10 seconds and then remain on. SCAN PROGRESS lights will flash 3 times to
indicate the selected service configuration.
2. Simultaneously press and hold POWER and SCAN for five seconds.
COAX CONNECTION and SCAN PROGRESS lights will flash slowly, and then the appropriate
SCAN PROGRESS lights will turn on to show the current service and satellites selected.
NOTE: If you have DIRECTV SD service you do not need to configure your antenna. Go to step 5 on next page.
NOTE: If you have a DISH receiver ViP211z, ViP211k, ViP211 or 411, FIRST choose the DISH SD and
HD setting as instructed on these two pages, and then continue with Tailgater Mode (Section 6,
page 18).
To verify the current service configuration without changing it, perform steps 1, 2 and 4.

Page 11
3. Press SCAN repeatedly to scroll thru the options.
4. When the correct lights turn on to show your desired satellite configuration, simultaneously
press and hold POWER and SCAN for five seconds.
All lights will turn off except for the COAX CONNECTION light.
5. Locate your service below and follow the instructions:
DIRECTV subscribers:
DIRECTV SD
If you have a newer receiver or current software, choose the following dish
configuration settings (do this through the receiver’s satellite set-up menu screens):
Dish Type: 01: 18” Round Switch Type: 02:Multiswitch
(If you have an older receiver, choose: round dish-1 satellite.)
DIRECTV SD with Locals
If you have a newer receiver or current software, choose the following dish
configuration settings (do this through the receiver’s satellite set-up menu screens):
Dish Type: 02: 3-LNB (18 x 20”) Switch Type: 02:Multiswitch
(If you have an older receiver, choose: oval dish-2 satellites.)
After setting your dish for either service as described above. . . . . . . . . . . . . . go to page 16.
DISH subscribers with the following receivers:
ViP211z • ViP211k • ViP211 • 411
and who chose DISH SD and HD on the previous page:
You can use the Tailgater Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . go to page 18.
All other DISH and Bell TV subscribers:
After you have successfully configured your antenna, you must
configure your receiver for mobile use by running a check switch test . . . . . . go to page 12.
NOTE: The Rover will not work with SWM only receivers. Your local channels may not be available when traveling
outside your home area.
NOTE: Your local channels may not be available when traveling outside your home area.
NOTE: Dual tuner receivers or receivers with built-in recorders are not recommended and will not have full functionality
when used with the Rover antenna. Your local channels may not be available when traveling outside your
home area.

Page 12
Section 4 RECEIVER CONFIGURATION - DISH AND BELL TV
1. Turn on the TV and satellite receiver.
2. Your Rover controller should be on from the configuration process on pages 10-11. If not,
press POWER and wait for the COAX CONNECTION light to stop flashing and remain on.
Press and hold SCAN for 3 seconds.
The antenna will locate all of the appropriate satellites before completing the search process.
After the antenna acquisition process is complete, specific SCAN PROGRESS lights will
turn on to indicate which satellites have been found (see chart on page 17).
If you configured the antenna for DISH SD and HD and the antenna cannot acquire the
110, 119, and 129 satellites, you may need to configure the antenna for DISH SD and
HD Alternate (pages 10-11).
IMPORTANT! YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE ANTENNA CONFIGURATION (PAGES 10-11), AND
PERFORMED A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH (STEP 2 BELOW), BEFORE RUNNING THE CHECK
SWITCH TEST (STEP 3 ON NEXT PAGE).
NOTE: For automatic satellite switching, King Controls recommends using a DISH model 311 receiver for DISH SD.
If you do not have a clear view of the satellites, the switch will not load correctly.
The SW21 and SW64 switches are a receiver software configuration that is loaded into the receiver after
successfully running a check switch test with the dish locked on and configured for the appropriate service.
This one time procedure will not need to be repeated after successful installation, unless:
a) check switch test is run again while the receiver is connected to a home dish system.
b) check switch test is run when the receiver is not connected.
c) you travel outside the coverage area of either DISH SD and HD or DISH SD and HD Alternate and switch
to the other.
d) you are parked in an area where the selected satellites are blocked, but are able to select alternate
satellites and get signal.
IMPORTANT!
The antenna unit requires a
“direct line of sight” to the
satellites for signal reception.
Any tall objects can block the
signal from reaching the dish.

Page 13
3. On the receiver remote, press MENU, 6, 1, 1.
4. Highlight “Check Switch.”
Press SELECT on your remote.
NOTE: Some receivers may prompt you to select
“Check Switch” a second time to initiate
the test. Screen graphics may vary.
5. Make sure “superDISH” and “Alternate” boxes
are NOT selected.
NOTE: Not all receivers will display a screen with
options that include “superDISH” and
“Alternate” boxes.
6. Highlight “Test.”
Press SELECT on your remote.
The receiver will perform a check switch test, during which time the antenna will periodically
move back and forth between satellites. This process will take several minutes.
7. When test is complete, a screen similar to one below or on the next page should appear.
After screen verification, continue with check switch test procedure on next page.
Because receivers are always changing, screen graphics may vary.
DISH SD
MUST SHOW
“SW21”
NO “X”s

Page 14
Bell TV SD Bell TV SD and HD
MUST SHOW
“SW21”
NO “X”s
“NO SWITCH
DETECTED”
or
“INSTALLED
DEVICE
UNKNOWN”
or
similar
If the indicated results are not obtained, go back to Step 3 and run test again. Contact King
Controls if the check switch fails to load after 4 attempts.
8. When the installation summary shows the successful check switch test results, save the
settings, exit to the main menu screen and wait for programming to download.
9. DISH SD and HD and DISH SD and HD Alternate only: Verify that your saved settings show
your desired satellite trio: 61.5, 110, 119 or 110, 119, 129. To switch trios, see pages 10-11.
Configuration is complete. Go to page 16, OPERATION.
DISH SD and HD AlternateDISH SD and HD
NO “X”s
MUST SHOW
“SW64”

Page 15
This page intentionally left blank.

Page 16
Section 5 OPERATION
POWER UP
1. Make sure all connections are made as shown on page 9.
2. Press POWER to turn on Rover controller.
•All lights will turn on briefly.
• COAX CONNECTION light will flash for approximately 10 seconds and then remain on.
•SCAN PROGRESS lights will flash 3 times to indicate the selected service configuration.
•If the unit is operating properly, the COAX CONNECTION light should remain on and all
other lights should turn off.
3. Turn the TV and satellite receiver on.
•Antenna is now ready to scan for satellites. Go to next page.
IMPORTANT!
The antenna unit requires a
“direct line of sight” to the
satellites for signal reception.
Any tall objects can block the
signal from reaching the dish.
IMPORTANT: If you have a DISH receiver model ViP211z, ViP211k, ViP211 or 411 AND have configured the
antenna for the DISH SD and HD setting, DO NOT use the instructions on this page. Go to the
Tailgater Mode instructions on page 18.
Your local channels may not be available when traveling outside your home area.
The Rover will not receive channels broadcast from DIRECTV’s Ka band satellites at 99° and
103°.

Page 17
SCAN FOR SATELLITES
1. Press and hold SCAN for 3 seconds.
•The antenna will scan for the selected satellites. The four SCAN PROGRESS lights will
cycle on and off to indicate a scan is in progress.
•As satellites are located, the corresponding SCAN PROGRESS lights will turn on (see
below).
•When scan is complete, the appropriate lights will turn on to show which satellites were
found.
•Wait for the program guide to download and then select your desired channel.
NOTE: If you move the vehicle, you will have to re-acquire the satellites by repeating the scan process. The Rover will
go into “sleep mode” after 15 minutes and the COAX CONNECTION light will dim. Press POWER to wake unit
up if necessary, i. e. the unit is in sleep mode, you move the vehicle, and wish to rescan for satellites.
DISH AND BELL TV SUBSCRIBERS: If you are using a second receiver, see SECOND RECEIVER OPERATION -
DISH AND BELL TV on page 28.
Use this chart to determine which satellites have been found.
NOTE: The order of the lights corresponds to the order of the satellites listed.
Example for DISH SD: The 110 satellite corresponds to Light 1, and the 119
satellite corresponds to light 2.

Page 18
Section 6 TAILGATER MODE
1. If your Rover controller is not on, press POWER and wait for the COAX CONNECTION light to
stop flashing and remain on.
2. Verify your receiver and TV are connected to a 110 volt AC power source.
The green light on your receiver should illuminate or begin cycling on and off. Wait for the
green light to turn solid (this may take up to two minutes).
If the green light does not illuminate after a few minutes, power on your receiver using the
front panel power button.
3. Turn on your TV. Use your TV’s input selection menu to select the input that matches the
connection to your DISH receiver, i. e. if using an HDMI cable connection you should select the
HDMI TV input.
IMPORTANT: If you have a DISH receiver model ViP211z, ViP211k, ViP211 or 411 AND have configured the
antenna for the DISH SD and HD setting, use the instructions on this page.
IF YOUR RECEIVER IS NEW AND NOT YET ACTIVATED, YOU MUST PERFORM THE FIRST TIME
SETUP ON PAGE 22 BEFORE USING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS PAGE.
Your local channels may not be available when traveling outside your home area.
See page 10 for
configuration details.
IMPORTANT!
The antenna unit requires a
“direct line of sight” to the
satellites for signal reception.
Any tall objects can block the
signal from reaching the dish.