On Sat, 5 Nov 2005 08:09:59 -0500, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote:

Will Direcway give you any credit for using the KVH antenna rather than the
one that comes with the package or do they charge extra to modify it?

--
Glenn Ashmore

REPOST
http://www.sailnet.com/messageboards...=4&Topic=12040

Finally, a flat phased-array dish( not the tall and expensive KVH
model you may have seen for sale that tracks inside a tall 18 to 20
inch dome and is a fortune to buy), but a dish and 12 volt small
receiver designed for cars, SUV's and RV's and they will also work on
boats. Average cost I am seeing is 1800.00

The dish, is actually very flat( like a pancake) and designed to bolt
to the roof of a SUV or car. Now also being marketed as a marine or RV
compatible setup. Yes, in a car you can go around turns, up hills and
down hills and the reception is great. So i figured it might be good
for a boat. Not so good when your boat is heeled hard over obviously
or the mast is in the way of the southern sky. But on the hook or in
the slip or sailing/cruising on-plane or flat( not heeled) the signal
should be OK.

It is KVH's latest array. the A5 Here is what one of many salesmen
have emailed me...

( in answere to my boat compatability and short comings for marine
use)"...To answer your first question, in calm water and/or docked at
a slip you should have no trouble with the tilt and awe. The antenna
is able to track the signal even when a vehicle is moving up and down
inclines. We went as far as doing sharp radius donuts in an empty
Walmart paking lot at speeds of 25 MPH and pulling .70 of a G. The
signal was still locked on and picture and sound were both crystal
clear. We take our demo vehicle to shows and at speeds over 90 MPH the
signal stays locked on and crystal clear. Only under 6 lane overpasses
do we ever experience short losses of signal but it will lock right
back on to the signal because it is a constant tracking antenna just
like the big KVH domes. It is also servo driven but the guys at KVH
run the power for the servo through the RG6 Coaxial cable, brilliant
idea so now there is only one wire that hooks the antenna to the
reciever, no extra power cables to run to it. I don't know at which
point the motion of open water running it would loose it's tracking,
but at the dock or driving slow in calm water you should not have a
problem as long is there is nothing above you blocking the signal. You
will have to use DirecTV for service but if you have it at your house
you can add it to you boat for just $4.99 a month. As for the
internet,if you check out www.kvh.com you will see that the A5 is
capable of receiving the Internet data but just like all other KVH
antennas you will still need the Tracphone 252 or better to be able to
receive and send phone and data streams. KVH invented this product for
consumer vehicles but I get more buyers from RV and Marine than for
personal vehicles. KVH has noticed this and you know see them
advertising the A5 for RV and Marine. I guess they catch on quick. I
hope this has been helpful,please do not hesitate to ask if you have
anymore questions.