KVH Tracvision - updating firmware L3, R5sl

[jbuchanan]

OK finally had time to work on this again. Ran new coax (as a test) system comes on says it's locked on sat. Then it is looking for an ID? say no ID found then continues to search. When it's found the sat my screen shows "locked Echostar 119" signal strength 65 then it starts to move again and I lose signal. If I command it to go to the basic point and make small adjustments using the laptop it will work, I can get a signal and watch TV. Not sure why it locks on the sats then decideds to just move on. Do I need to use the "TRISAT " command?

[HHIDan]

65 seems high enough. I think it is one of two things. 1- Could be as if your RF board is not picking up enough signal strength so it keeps looking. On ExpressVu (Canadian equivalent of Dish) the Sat is found then the dish continues to move to fine tune and then usually will come to rest. 2-Could be it keeps looking for a different Sat because your EchoStar 119 is not properly configured. (SATINSTALL,SATCONFIG)(see post 12-13)

I am guessing the "No ID found" is a msg from the main board into your laptop? This would point to above option 2. As if the system went under EchoStar 119 on its way. Any other info on the laptop?

Hate to say this but you may have to call KVH and ask them what they think.. Might cost $40...

I don't think the TriSat command has anything to do with this. As far as I know your L3 does not switch by itself between the Sats as you flip channels. You will need KVH remote or your laptop hooked up and I think you would use the TriSat to "identify" the three Sats. You would then select either A or B or C with laptop.

You might try a different Sat to see if you get a stronger signal and also see if it locks...

Good luck!

[jbuchanan]

Got it! After watching the antenna data on the laptop for quite a while I started noticing a set of numbers that looked familiar. The sequence was 0X1004 and 0X1006, well after looking at the commands listed in post 12 I thought could the numbers listed there possibly be in the wrong order? I went back reentered the commands but with the 0X1004 and 0X1006 instead hit ZAP and bam the antenna found the sats, tracked and locked on them after a bit it entered "sleep mode" can watch TV now I am assuming that the in motion aspect will work since if I walk around in the MH the antenna wakes up and moves a bit then back to sleep. Thank you all for the information and help. Joe

[al.m]

I was a long time DirecTV user with my KVH L3. I wrote an e-mail to KVH regarding converting to Dish Network. They told me that I could not get HD with the L3. Reading through this forum it indicates that people do get HD.
I realize that KVH would like me to spend $$$'s for a new in-motion dish. I'm not ready to do that.
Can someone clarify what the deal is regarding Dish and HD for me?
Thanks, Al

[DtBt]

Using Dish you can receive HD using the L3. This is because Dish broadcasts HD on the original Ku band using MPEG4 compression whereas DirectTv uses Ka band for HD that the L3 cannot receive. I used the L3 for HD for several years using the VIP622 DVR from my S&B. There are some L3 parameters you need to change in order to lock onto the correct sats and Dish changes transponders occasionally. The problem is that the L3 only sees one sat at a time and usually requires a receiver system setup everytime you change sats. This is very inconvenient and is exasperated by the fact that the HD channels are spread between 3 sats on eastern arc and 3 different sats on western arc.
If you don't care about HD and use directv point it at 101 and you will have most of the channels in SD.
I ended going to Directv and a SWM3 Winegard Trav'ler and Genie receiver. I am very satisfied now.

[Glennj2500]

We have just purchased a used 2009 motorhome with a KVH R5SL antenna. It was setup for Direct TV. We took it to our dealer to be changed over to DISH. After being in the shop for over a month, the dealer said he had it working. He did the Flash Wizard Update as required. The dealer was using his 211z receiver. At the time we did not have DISH turned on in the motorhome. Now we have DISH turned on and it does not work. The DISH service rep could not get it to work either. He said we have a problem with our antenna.
When the antenna is turned on it never stops searching for satellites. I removed the cover on the antenna and the antenna was always pointing 90 degrees to the left from where it should be pointing.
Does anyone have any ideas what is going on and how to fix it?

[HHIDan]

Are you able to connect a laptop to it as per instructions above?
It probably needs to be configured (SATCONFIG)...

[Glennj2500]

Yes, I have connected a laptop and run the Flash Wizard to load the latest upgrades per KVH. I have not checked the SATCONFIG yet. I will do that next per the instructions in #12 from you. I have a blown fuse on the main board now.
It is odd that the dealer service tech had it working at the shop, then as soon as I had DISH turned on it did not work. I should have gotten the tech to let me see it working! Thanks for the help. Will let you know if this works.

[CountryFit]

don't mean to hijack... i have a 5 year old (made in 2010) R4SL with updated firmware, if anyone is interested...

[Glennj2500]

HHIDan,
After replacing the fuse in the main board, it looks like I have a total failure of the KVH system. I have decided to replace it with a Winegard Trav'ler. I am tired of fighting a loosing battle! Thanks for all the help.

[sam60]

Thank you HHIDan for this thread! I have the cables and adapters & will attempt the upgrade tomorrow.


Proof that the info that you shared has helped many....

[sam60]

That was fun trying to update, but I think I'll get one of them Winegard Trav'lers. Need to sell a boat first.

[HHIDan]

Hi Mike, What model KVH and where did you get stuck??
The Travelers are nicer but not in-motion...

[Crop Duster]

Glenn, same thing here. Pulled the old KVH off and replaced with a Traveler. Took about 3 hours to complete. Then, neighbors older KVH failed so we put a Traveler on his. Took a little less time on his. (Helps having a forklift &#128521 We really like the new dish. Can't watch going down the road but we never did anyway