Repairing my EarthRoamer's KVH TracVision A5 (again)...

[howell_jd]

I'm putting this in the EarthRoamer section mostly because I have an EarthRoamer and the KVH TracVision A5 antenna is connected to my EarthRoamer.:elkgrin:

If it is better suited to another section I am not opposed to seeing it moved to a more appropriate section. That being said many of the EarthRoamers have either a KVH TracVision A5 or A7 antenna installed. Most of the KVH antennas I've seen are mounted at the front of the truck over the passenger side immediately adjacent to the skylight.:ylsmoke:

Oh yeah...the KVH TracVision A5 (or A7) is an on-the-move satellite antenna that allows you to watch DirecTV programming (almost) anywhere and in-motion (I think it's impossible to watch and drive at the same time as the TV is upstairs and the steering wheel is inaccessible from the bed...ha ha).:smiley_drive:

I have had to fix my KVH TracVision A5 antenna THREE times now so I figured a pictorial HOW-TO is in order just in case someone else has had a similar challenge :Wow1:

I have had the drive belt come off of the rotational gear, the inclination gear, and I had it to get JAMMED once.

This time it was the inclination gear belt. EASY!:costumed-smiley-007

DISCLAIMER
Don't attempt this repair in-motion...it's awkward enough with the truck stationary!

Seriously though, this is an electrical repair so disconnect the power to your KVH receiver so that no power goes through the coax to the antenna.

Tools you need: small flathead screwdriver, 7/16" open end wrench, 4.5mm hex head wrench, 4mm hex head wrench, torx T27 (special) bit, large phillips head screwdriver

First you have to pop the plastic cover off of the top of the corner feet.
I used a penknife screwdriver but a small flathead works too...just don't lever too much or you'll break the cover. One cover per foot.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160024.jpg

...and disconnect the COAX (it's a powered COAX as I said above) with a 7/16" open end wrench...you might be able to get it off by hand but it's faster with the wrench.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160026.jpg

Next loosen the 4 (or 8) hex head bolts holding the feet to the truck (4.5mm hex head wrench).
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160027.jpg

WITHOUT TIPPING THE ANTENNA OVER 45 DEGREES lift the antenna off of the 4 rubber vibration dampers. The easiest place for me is to move the antenna toward the open space at the back of the roof but for an ER with three solar panels I recommend placing a towel over one panel and gently setting the antenna on the towel.

The next part is tedious but not difficult although it is uncomfortable. You have to remove 12each 4mm hex head bolts from the bottom of the antenna (three each per side) and two of the three Torx T27 (special) bolts from each foot (you don't have to remove the middle Torx T27 bolt from each foot) WITHOUT TIPPING THE ANTENNA OVER 45 DEGREES.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160022.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160023.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160019.jpg

Now the upper ring may be removed.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160012.jpg

Next remove the 4 large phillips head screw securing the radome.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160013.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160001.jpg

I don't recommend using the radome for a sled at Great Sand Dunes National Park but if you find yourself in need of a large saucer sled well...
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160004.jpg

I had to get the INCLINE gear belt back on the drive motor (I'm pretty sure this came off as a result of my FLYING :coffeedrink: at Great Sand Dunes after this year's ER rally).
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160008.jpg

The ROTATION gear belt is under everything and is a ROYAL PAIN to get at (especially as you really can't disassemble any further than what I've shown you here). When I fixed this previously, I had to use a small bladed flathead screwdriver with a LONG shaft to push the belt back onto its drive motor gear. You can't see it so it's all by feel (my grandfather would say you have to hold your mouth just right).
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160009.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160010.jpg

I recommend testing before reassembly. DON'T TIP MORE THAN 45 DEGREES WHEN MOVING THEN ANTENNA!
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/howell_jd/KVH%20A5%20repair%2016%20October%202010/PA160003.jpg

There are bubbles forming under my array which is glued to a mylar sheet that is glued to the antenna plate. I haven't seen any degradation of signal strength (stationary - or on the move according to my daughter:)). This array behaves just like the dish you may have at home for satellite delivered TV. The array amplifies some signals to provide a parabolic effect I guess. It is cool to watch this thing in action with the radome off. It spins and inclines to search for the satellite that provides DirecTV programming.

After a successful test (remember to unplug the receiver before grabbing that coax again), reassemble...

Radome back on (4 large phillips screws)
Upper ring back on (8 Torx T27 screws and 12each 4mm bolts)

Remount the dish on the rubber shock mounts and secure to the truck with 4 (or 8) 4.5mm bolts and recover the feet with their plastic covers.

Reattach the coax.:chef:

Enjoy!:victory:

Jonathan

[Scott Brady]

One of the funniest things I have seen regarding those antennas was the remote controls. When all of the ERs are parked around each other, the remote would turn on one, and off another, change channels, etc.

Pretty funny to watch.

Of course, I think it is nuts to install a TV in an EarthRoamer. Kind of defeats the point - don't you think ;)

[howell_jd]

I remember that happening to a few others last year in Moab! I used to have DishNetwork at home so I didn't even bother turning on the receiver. Now we have DirecTV.

For a trip with the family it is "usually" off limits I AGREE.

This year's Rally, Naomi got sick (strep throat) and so the TV was a help as she was very uncomfortable. Fever of 104 from strep throat...thanks to the help of all of our friends at ER, Irina and I were able to get her seen at Children's Hospital before the Rally started. Disney Channel wound up being a secondary medication to the antibiotics.
Ordinarily she only gets a few DVDs to watch on the Interstate (not State Highways or off-road though).

I also travel quite a bit to train units on telecommunication and route reconnaissance so I try to save the government some money by not getting airfare and a hotel - so the TV is nice then too. I'll be driving to Fort Knox next week for a three day trip as an example.

I should try to find a few ranges that are open though (HIGH ADVENTURE)!

"What is that silver thing over there?" Tank 1
"I dunno. Let's shoot it!" Tank 2

Hard to be inconspicuous at times (as you know)!

Anyway you are right...it's nice to have from time to time though...mine came with a broken one so I saw it as a challenge - it's ironic that I now teach some folks how to set up satellite antennas though!

Great to hear from you Scott.

Jonathan

P.S. Nice haircut!

[Scott Brady]

P.S. Nice haircut!

I wish I had hair to cut :)