VuQube FLEX VQ2100 User manual

11200 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55438-2453
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.kingcontrols.com
Portable Automatic Satellite TV Antenna
VQ2100
Owner’s Manual
Solutions for Mobile Markets
21438 REV B
®

Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Contents Page
1. SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2. ANTENNA CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
3. RECEIVER CONFIGURATION - DISH AND BELL TV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
4. OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
5. TAILGATER MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-21
6. SECOND RECEIVER OPERATION - DISH AND BELL TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
7. TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
8. SECURITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
9. ACCESSORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
10. FCC GUIDELINES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
11. LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
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.
FLEX is a trademark of Electronic Controlled Systems, Inc. DBA King Controls.
King Controls and VuQube are registered trademarks of Electronic Controlled Systems, Inc. DBAKing Controls.
IMPORTANT!
The satellite TV market is expanding and changing. The information in this manual was accurate at the time
of printing. If your VuQube®FLEX™ Portable 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 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 2 and 5).

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The FLEX portable satellite antenna is easily configured to lock onto the appropriate satellites
necessary to receive your favorite SD programming from DIRECTV®, or SD and HD programming
from DISH®or Bell TV2.
The FLEX system includes: You will also need the following (sold separately):
• Antenna Unit • TV
• Controller • Satellite Receiver1
• 3’ Coax Cable • Cable(s) to connect receiver to TV
• 50’ Coax Cable • Satellite TV Subscription Service
• 15 Watt Power Supply
• Owner’s Manual
• Quick Reference Guide
CONNECTIONS
1. Place the antenna unit on a stable surface with a clear
view of the southern sky. (With its built-in leveling feature,
the FLEX does not need to be level, but make sure it is
stable to prevent movement during operation.)
Point the handle approximately to the north (this will speed
up search time).
2. Make the connections IN THE ORDER SHOWN on page 3.
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.
3. Go to ANTENNA CONFIGURATION on page 4.
Section 1 SETUP
IMPORTANT! HAND TIGHTEN COAX CONNECTIONS. DO NOT USE A WRENCH.
Do not allow the coax cable to become bent or kinked.
Do not leave the coax cable where it can be tripped on or run over by a vehicle.
IMPORTANT! Do not block the antenna’s line of sight to
satellites in the southern sky at any time.
1The FLEX will not work with DIRECTV SWM only receivers.
1Do not use dual tuner receivers or receivers with
built-in recorders if your programming is broadcast from more
than one satellite.
2Bell TV: You may experience difficulty receiving your
programming more than approximately 100 miles south of the
Canadian/US border.

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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.

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The FLEX 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 FLEX 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
FLEX antenna. To configure your antenna, do the following:
1. Press POWER to turn on FLEX 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.
Section 2 ANTENNA CONFIGURATION
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 5,
page 12).
To verify the current service configuration without changing it, perform steps 1, 2 and 4.

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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 10.
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 12.
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 6.
NOTE: The FLEX 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 FLEX antenna. Your local channels may not be available when traveling outside your
home area.

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1. Turn on the TV and satellite receiver.
2. Your FLEX controller should be on from the configuration process on pages 4-5. 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 11).
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 4-5).
IMPORTANT! YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE ANTENNA CONFIGURATION (PAGES 4-5), 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.
Section 3 RECEIVER CONFIGURATION - DISH AND BELL TV
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.

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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

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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 4-5.
Configuration is complete. Go to page 10, OPERATION.
DISH SD and HD AlternateDISH SD and HD
NO “X”s
MUST SHOW
“SW64”

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This page intentionally left blank.

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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 12.
Your local channels may not be available when traveling outside your home area.
Section 4 OPERATION
POWER UP
1. Make sure all connections are made as shown on page 3.
2. Press POWER to turn on FLEX 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.

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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 antenna unit, you will have to re-acquire the satellites by repeating the scan process. The
FLEX 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 unit, and wish to rescan for satellites.
DISH AND BELL TV SUBSCRIBERS: If you are using a second receiver, see SECOND RECEIVER OPERATION -
DISH AND BELLTV on page 22.
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.

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1. If your FLEX controller is not on, press POWER and wait for the COAX CONNECTION light to
stop flashing and remain on.
2. Plug your receiver and TV into 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.
Section 5 TAILGATER MODE
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 16 BEFORE USING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS PAGE.
Your local channels may not be available when traveling outside your home area.
See page 4 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.

Page 13
5. Highlight the state you are currently
in from the state menu.
Press SELECT on your remote.
NOTE: If the Portable Antenna Setup screen does
not display, press MENU, 6, 1, 1on your
DISH remote.
Highlight “Check Switch.”
Press SELECT on your remote.
The Portable Antenna Setup screen
should now display.
The Portable Antenna Setup screen will be displayed on your TV.
4. Use the arrow buttons on your
DISH remote to highlight the letter
group that includes the first letter
of the state you are currently in.
Press SELECT on your remote.

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6. Verify “Scan” is highlighted.
Press SELECT on your remote.
The scan will begin and may take
several minutes to complete.
This screen will display during the scan:
7. When the scan is complete, the
Acquiring Signal message will display.
Acquiring the signal may take up to 5
minutes to complete.

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8. After your receiver has acquired the
signal, the electronic program guide
will download.
This may take up to 5 minutes to
complete (potentially longer if an
external hard drive is connected for
DVR use).
If you are using a second receiver, see SECOND RECEIVER OPERATION on page 22.
OPERATING NOTES
If your system is inactive for an extended period of time, you may need to call DISH Customer Service at
1-800-333-DISH (3474) to re-authorize your receiver. You can view your programming when your receiver has been
re-authorized and the guide has finished downloading.
If you move the antenna unit, you will need to repeat the scan process to re-acquire the satellites and restore
programming.
When in the northeastern United States, television programming from the 129 satellite may not be available. You
can configure your antenna for the DISH SD and HD Alternate setting using the procedure found in the ANTENNA
CONFIGURATION section (pages 4-5) and the receiver configuration process (pages 6-8). When you leave the
northeastern US and reconfigure the antenna for DISH SD and HD, the unit will automatically revert to Tailgater mode
and you will not need to configure the receiver.

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TAILGATER MODE: INITIAL SETUP WITH NEW (UN-ACTIVATED) RECEIVER
IMPORTANT: If you have a NEW, not yet activated 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
for first time setup. After this one time setup procedure, you can use TAILGATER MODE on
page 12.
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.
See page 4 for
configuration details.
1. If your FLEX controller is not on, press POWER and wait for the COAX CONNECTION light to
stop flashing and remain on.
2. Plug your receiver and TV into 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.

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4. Point your receiver’s remote at the
front of the receiver and press SAT.
Press RECORD.
When a number appears in the box,
verify “Continue” is highlighted.
Press SELECT on your remote.
The Portable Antenna Setup screen
will display.
5. Use the arrow buttons on your
remote to highlight the letter group
that includes the first letter of the
state you are currently in.
Press SELECT on your remote.
6. Highlight the state you are currently
in from the state menu.
Press SELECT on your remote.

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The scan will begin and may take
several minutes to complete.
This screen will display during the scan.
The receiver will download current
software.
The receiver will update with the
current software.
7. Verify “Scan” is highlighted.
Press SELECT on your remote.