The last of the Upgrades nearly completed

So picked up a used M7 TV satellite receiver (direct TV) for $1200. I had it tested it had two bad circuit boards and cost me $400 to repair. I started the install and found out the repair shop did not give me back a data cable. They are a KVH repair shop and trying to get them to send me the cable is starting to piss me off as I am at a work stoppage. So here are some pics of my install. This unit tracks the satellite while under way.

Good news is the cable is on its way and I should have this thing up and running next week, just in time for football.....

Looks Good Tom. OH, and GO SEAHAWKS!!!

Completed! I do hate running wires, especially from the arch downward! No more room there. Thank God I ran additional pull lines...


I told Admiral to run as I was turning the system on and didn't want her in the boat if it blew up! Yep I got the eye. Flipped the switch and the system went through its checks. Sounded like a fresh water pump running. Then about 5 minutes later I hear " We have a picture!" Alright and it was showing "Master and Commander!" How fitting.


So for two days it ran great. Then we turned the boat around so I can wax the port side of the hull. We had a storm come in with lots of thick clouds. The antenna kept working back and forth having trouble finding the satellite. I double checked my Lat/Long setting and then turned it off and reset it. The clouds must have moved out because it has been working great for the rest of the evening.

In Florida they will loose signal during heavy storms

I just finished the install of a Track-it-TV I bought used for $250. I installed it on the fly-bridge attached to an alinimum support rod that supports the Herulon fly-bridge cover. I made the mistake of making the support for the tracking device out of steel only to find out the compass would not track. Redone in alimunim and it works fine.

I had 2 requirements when installing this tracking device. One, it had to be out of the way so installing at deck level was out, and two, it had to be located so that removing the dish would be easy. The dish is exposed and I remove the dish when underway or not at the boat.

A simple an inexpensive way to get Sat TV. You hadly see the device when the dish is not attached so it doesn't look so bad. I haven't had any experience at anchor yet but reports are favorable.The unit tracks Satallite in azmuth but not elevation. You must adjust elevation every 60 miles of N/S travel.

Congrats Tom on finishing you install work. Now take some time and a cold beer and watch some TV.

GFC said:

Congrats Tom on finishing you install work. Now take some time and a cold beer and watch some TV.

Click to expand...

I watch some football last night!!!! There is always cold beer in the frig..

I have that unit, and have been very happy with it. My only complaint was that DirectTv put all of its HD content to Ka, which this unit can't track. The solution was easy enough -- Dish.