Dave's Review

KVH TracVision R4/R5 is the easiest antenna to use with both Dish Network and DirecTV and with any satellite receiver. All the user has to do is turn the power button on and the antenna does the rest. If you are a Dish Network customer that has the Top 180 programming and a Pro Series 301 or 311 receiver, the antenna will automatically toggle between satellites.

The R4 stationary and R5 In Motion uses DVB technology which is a method of identifying the satellites. Just like your house has a address assigned to it the satellites also use an address. When the mail delivery person shows up, they know what address to look for and only stops at that address. The antenna is assigned a pair of satellites to look for.
Example: Dish Network uses 119 and 110 satellites. The 119 satellite is the main satellite therefore it is loaded into bank 1 and 110 loaded into bank 2. DirecTV would be 101 and 119 if you have programming on 119. These satellite choices are loaded via your computer or when ordered from us, specify what you want the antenna setup for, as we will preprogram it.  The point I'm making here is that they can be easily changed with a computer.

KVH TracVision is still the best built domed antenna on the market. While other manufactures have used their name recognition and turn around and build a lower cost unit, KVH will not compromise quality for price. KVH has standardized the mechanical parts of the antenna which one way of controlling cost but it also benefits the end user do to the ease of upgrading to any antenna model they desire. The inside metal parts are anodized to prevent corrosion and all electronics are protected under a cover.

Installation of the antenna is straight forward and comes with both coax and control cable of 28' foot long. If longer length is needed you will need to order a special length cable with a separate power supply. You will have a switch that will be mounted in either a wall or inside of a cabinet. The control cable will hook onto the back of the switch and run to the antenna. The coax will run from the antenna directly to the satellite receiver. You will need to furnish a 12 volt cable to hook to a good 12 volt source. On the negative side of the power source you will need to run the ground cable (furnished) to the back of the satellite receiver. I use a ground block and hook it in the coax cable. The reason behind this cable is to eliminate and chance of a/c ripple entering the antenna. (according to KVH) The antenna comes with a clam shell to cover the hole that the cable runs through but I suggest using putty tape around the cables and plug the hole with the tape first. Then put the cover on using stainless steel screws and flood the area with Dicor sealer available at RV stores. You will want to secure the cables to roof using cable clamps and Dicor.

On the R4 models if you decide to upgrade to an in motion antenna you will add a gyro box on the back side of the reflector and plug it into the board. Using a laptop you will rename the antenna a R5. You will need to calibrate the gyro and your done. The upgrade kit comes with instructions and labels to rename your antenna.