Community Forums

Jeep trekker · 02-22-2014, 07:34 AM

I've had the MH for over a year now and since we are getting ready to do a lot of traveling I decided to go ahead and get Dish Network. I purchased a VIP211Z and hooked it up to the KVH R-5. There was a lot of whirling and buzzing but it never made the connection to the satellite. I called KVH technical support and their answer was that I needed to go into an approved service center and have an upgrade done.

Does anyone know what the upgrade entails and how much it might cost? There are no service centers near me so I will have to do it while on the road. If it is an expensive upgrade, I am thinking that I may be better off getting a Carry Out, Pathway X2 or a Tailgater.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

HHIDan · 02-22-2014, 07:54 AM

If you want to do it yourself, here's how:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/kvh-t...sl-114135.html

pcurt23 · 02-22-2014, 07:54 AM

The 211 is dependent on the coach being level. Dish HD reception requires three angles to connect with the sat. Since the dome only has two movable angles the coach being level is the third. That being said, Dish has eliminated the ability to connect to Distant network channels. So Direct tv is the best game in town right now but you need the Winegard sk swm3 antenna for HD.

I used my kvh for two years switching back and forth between Dish and Direct tv without any programming changes to the dome. Dish is difficult to connect to with the dome you just have to have patience and make sure the coach is level.

SarahW · 02-22-2014, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep trekker

I've had the MH for over a year now and since we are getting ready to do a lot of traveling I decided to go ahead and get Dish Network. I purchased a VIP211Z and hooked it up to the KVH R-5. There was a lot of whirling and buzzing but it never made the connection to the satellite. I called KVH technical support and their answer was that I needed to go into an approved service center and have an upgrade done.

Does anyone know what the upgrade entails and how much it might cost? There are no service centers near me so I will have to do it while on the road. If it is an expensive upgrade, I am thinking that I may be better off getting a Carry Out, Pathway X2 or a Tailgater.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

There are several threads in this section about the upgrades; some people have done it themselves. You might call a few of the approved service centers and ask them what the charge would be, then you'll pretty much have your answer.

**CountryFit** · 02-22-2014, 09:51 PM

To update the firmware, if you read through HHIDan's link, which covered everything, you should be able to do it yourself. The hard part is to make the data cable for RF and the upload for that.
I did mine but before that I called the authorized dealer near me, I remember they asked for $99. That is not a bad deal if you are not adventurous type of person and you do mind frustration :-). Good luck.

UsualSuspect · 02-22-2014, 10:01 PM

What KVH probably did not tell you. I just went through this, did the update, and it still kept spinning around. Called KVH back, and was then told I needed a power supply and a ground block. Installed those and it is working again. One of my storage neighbors did the same thing I did and ended up putting out a little over $500 for a board. Not sure where it is in the system, but it can get pricey.

Jeep trekker · 02-23-2014, 07:05 AM

Thanks, Lots of good information here. I'll address it when I get to my next destination. (Oklahoma City)

**CountryFit** · 02-23-2014, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UsualSuspect

What KVH probably did not tell you. I just went through this, did the update, and it still kept spinning around. Called KVH back, and was then told I needed a power supply and a ground block. Installed those and it is working again. One of my storage neighbors did the same thing I did and ended up putting out a little over $500 for a board. Not sure where it is in the system, but it can get pricey.

that must be the rf board. during my upgrade, i called kvh they told me the same thing for $500 for a new board. i didn't believe it at the end of day i made it work.