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Satellite tv antennas. KVH A 5

Yahoo Message Number: 14346
Just for your info, I recently installed the new KVH A-5 in-motion flat antenna. It's about 3 feet square and only 4 1/2 inches tall.
I had to use this type because of my minimal garage door height. We just hit the road for the winter so I only have a couple of weeks use, but so far, so good.
We don't watch TV while driving, but I love the feature of having a constant signal when you stop, providing a clear shot at the satellite.
It's only drawback appears to be it's poor performance when wet from dew or in the rain. One morning we had heavy dew and it didn't work at all. In a light rain storm it was alright, but when it rains hard, it will not work.
I spoke with the tech's about using rain-X or similar products. They advised against it and recommended using dish soap. Apparently the rain-X will harm the antenna surface.
My coach has a factory installed ladder, so wiping the antenna down is not a problem.
There has been some previous comments concerning the use of this new product on by Country Coach. Apparently they discontinued using them because of the owners complaints about their poor performance in the rain.
We live out West and spend most of our time in the Desert climate, so I'm satisfied with it. I suppose they would not be advisable for use in a high humidity environment or in a coach without a ladder.

Larry
Intrigue
10762

Re: Satellite tv antennas. KVH A 5

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14348
Hi Larry-

Thanks for the comments. It's funny you should mention the dew. One of the things I asked the guys at the booth was whether it was affected by water - meaning specifically dew. They claimed it was not. You and I know that whether the antenna is affected by water is going to be a function of antenna gain. Since they wouldn't give me gain figures, I could only guess.
I looked up the KVH A5 on the web and it does look a lot like the one I saw at CES. I must admit - that was the first one like this I had ever seen. Prior to this I was only aware of the big motosat style for purposes of internet access - and small dishes for TV.
As I said in my post, they had one that controlled elevation electronically and azimuth mechanically. Maybe one of these days they will have one that is controlled in both axis' electronically.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I hope your good experience with this antenna continues.

Best regards,

Gerry

near Sacramento

At 08:16 PM 1/12/2005, you wrote:

Re: Satellite tv antennas. KVH A 5

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14353
We have the KVH in motion satellite antenna and it works great - EXCEPT IN THE RAIN, DEW, MOISTURE OF ANY KIND - then it won't work it all - No problem going down the road with it in the rain with the TV on since the wind will normally knock the moisture off (we listen to CNN or the Weather Channel) - The moisture problem is a real headache - and I don't like climbing up on the roof to wipe it off - KVH said do not use Rain-X (although one tech told me to use Rain-X one time and I saw a dish being installed in Indio I observed the tech using Rain-X to wipe down the dome covering with it - KVH said to use dish-soap - but on my old coach it caused a leak in the roof and ruined my TV - at the booth in Eugene I was told to use a product called 303 (can be hard to find) - it works better then Rain-X but still doesn't do the job. My other frustration is with DirecTV and no national PBS - but that is another story.
How many people would be interested in a product that kept the moisture off the dome??

CHEERS - Clint
Inspire #51038

Re: Satellite tv antennas. KVH A 5

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14363
As far as CC offering the A5, our 2005 Affinity has one. Standard equip, not an option.

Only used it once so far, but it worked very well. I wonder about the sensitivity however. We were at Fort Wilderness a short time ago, and we could not get a sat lock. The tree cover was marginal according to my compass and eyeballs, but apparantly enough to inferfere.

Earlier in the overflow lot it worked fine.

I can see the moisture being an issure, as the top is pretty flat.

Working on a way to connect another external dish, but looks like feeding the signal in from another receiver to the cable in jack is the only way.
John