KVH A5 or other in-motion satellite dish problems

[Jim D]

Does anyone have the KVH A5 in-motion satellite dish and have you had any problems with it? I seem to have had more than my share in 1.5yrs. Both the receiver and dish have been replaced once but now I am having more problems receiving a signal and I think I should switch to another model or brand as KVH tech support seems to think one or both are bad again. Are my problems unique or do other dishes have similar problems also - mainly in receiving a signal and keeping it. Yesterday I was at a rest area off I-10 between Quartzsite and Phoenix parked under a clear blue sky and no trees, etc and could not get a signal yet the night before in a campground in Blythe it worked fine. Tonight it doesn't work again at a RV park in Scottsdale. No signal at all but I had one last night in same location in the same RV park.

[Jim D]

Does anyone have the KVH A5 in-motion satellite dish and have you had any problems with it? I seem to have had more than my share in 1.5yrs. Both the receiver and dish have been replaced once but now I am having more problems receiving a signal and I think I should switch to another model or brand as KVH tech support seems to think one or both are bad again. Are my problems unique or do other dishes have similar problems also - mainly in receiving a signal and keeping it. Yesterday I was at a rest area off I-10 between Quartzsite and Phoenix parked under a clear blue sky and no trees, etc and could not get a signal yet the night before in a campground in Blythe it worked fine. Tonight it doesn't work again at a RV park in Scottsdale. No signal at all but I had one last night in same location in the same RV park.

[RV Wizard]

Jim, do you know what failed on the last system or what may have caused it? I know that low voltage will cause you to loose programming. A voltage spike can take out the control board. I know that the A5 has it's own reciever and so trying any other just to check it out won't work. Have you check the connections? Wish I could be of more help.

[RCK]

Jim - sorry to hear you have the KVH A5. Your best solution is to replace the unit with one from another manufacture - and do not get an In-Motion model. We have the same problems and have been told by KVH that it is a result of moisture (dew, rain, snow, etc) standing on the flat top surface of the unit, blocking reception. The A5 was designed for vehicles to get reception while in motion (SUV's, etc) where the moisture is blown off and not stationary motor homes. So far we have had no help from KVH or Country Coach, even though they collectively made the decision to use this unit, knowing that it was designed for in-motion use and would work on stationary vehicles only when the weather was clear and hot. Get a unit with a domed top and coat the dome with a product like Rain-X to help keep moisture off unit.

[rebelsbeach]

I follow all the previous posters advice,except with the recommendation that they not get the "in motion" unit.
I currently have the KingDome "in motion" unit,which is the same as the "TracStar" unit and am very happy with it. We had the coach out yesterday and they watched a Clint Eastwood movie on the way back home....I would not use Wineguard or KVH at this point as they've had problems.

[mohotravelers]

Another vote for Tracstar. No problems with ours. We have used both DirecTV and Dish Network receivers.

[John-D]

I have a Motosat in-motion, very happy with it http://www.motosat.com

I have had a few problems but

1: Dealer installed wrong antenna (motosat replaced it for the price difference)
2: Minor adjustment (Mitch at Motosat did that one quickly)
3: Control box failed (Mailed it in, they sent it back,,, working)

4: Major argument with DirecTV (NOT motosat's problem)

[cb5300]

I have the KVH A6 and I haven't had any problems with it at all...On my last coach I had the King Dome (in motion model) and that too was a good unit with zero problems...I would recommend finding a good dealer and let them service it for you, and then get everything set like it's suppose to be.

[WEJ]

I feel your pain. I have had the In motion for about year now . I have had to take it back several times for updates and repairs. I have the KVH as well and it seems like i have to have it fixed about twice a year. One complaint is they use a 9 pin cable instead of a usb to update the unit. This is one of the oldest forms to transfer information and my computer does not even have that serial port. Good luck with it . It is a pain. I still think it beats my sitting up the tripod everytime but I still dont leave home without it.

[tmitchell]

I have had a KVH, L2, in-motion, on my 2004 DSDP, for almost 5 years. Haven't had any real problems with it in the 45,000 miles I have driven.
Occasionally, I have had trouble getting a signal, when starting off. I either pull the receiver plug or shut the inverter off for 15 seconds or so, to reboot it and then after searching for 5 to 10 minutes it locks in.
When it is working and I am in-motion, it never has lost a signal, except momentarily for a tunnel or trees on the side of the road.
Whenever I am in a CG or parked at home, I turn off the power to the antenna. I figure that way it wont start searching if a rain storm comes up. I don't know if that is the correct thing to do.

I talked to a KVH tech when I first got the in-motion. He mentioned that if you have problems getting a signal because of heavy dew or rain, that you should paint the dome with a plastic paint, as long as it has no metallic in it. He said the paint barely degrades the signal, but will shed moisture better then the unfinished surface. He also recommended using 303 on it.
I have no problems with the signal so I never have painted the dome.
Tom

[bredden]

2005 Dodge Sprinter Airstream with KVH A5 installed at purchase. Lasted two years (light use) 10,000miles before failure. Cost $2250.00 plus installation new. Upon contacting KVH, support advised me the A5 was no longer supported and the solution was to upgrade to A7. They took the old one and installed a refurbished A7 unit. (I was unaware I was purchasing a refurbished) the A7 lasted 2000 miles and out again. Now KVH says repairs will cost $550.00. I am unaware of any physical damage to this unit, strictly componet failure. Tech support inadvertantly told me this refurbished unit had a history of failure from the original owner. I now have a King unit in a HR Ambassador that seems to be flawless. Conclusion KVH not very nice to there customers.