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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Mark Duckworth on June 14, 2017, 01:06:41 pm

Title: Satellite Question
Post by: Mark Duckworth on June 14, 2017, 01:06:41 pm
Hi friends.  Trying to figure out what I have installed in the coach as far as satellite goes.  Here's a photo of the satellite control panel.  The coach's original equipment included an in-motion sat system with dual receivers.  There are two older Dish TV tuners that use S-Video technology.  I understand all of the audio/video technology (it's what we do at work) but have no clue about how the satellite antenna portion works.

The TracStar control module seems to have no power.  I surfed to the TracStar website and read a little in a troubleshooting guide.  There they talked about 24v power supplies etc.  Can someone get me to a starting point for troubleshooting, etc?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Satellite Question
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on June 14, 2017, 01:40:29 pm
I do not believe the TrackStar can receive satellite signals anymore and no updates are available.
Title: Re: Satellite Question
Post by: tothetrail on June 14, 2017, 01:56:36 pm
At first, the TracStar worked great.  When I began to have intermittent trouble grabbing a signal, I finally replaced it with a Trav'ler.  So much better.

I do still have my notes, though, and will check wen I get home.  I remember there was some series of steps that I could do and it would sometimes make it lock onto a signal.  But this was only when it would spin on and on, without attaining a signal.  I never had an issue with getting power to the control module, though, so that sounds like a different issue to begin with.
Title: Re: Satellite Question
Post by: Mark Duckworth on June 14, 2017, 02:09:17 pm
At first, the TracStar worked great.  When I began to have intermittent trouble grabbing a signal, I finally replaced it with a Trav'ler.  So much better.

I do still have my notes, though, and will check wen I get home.  I remember there was some series of steps that I could do and it would sometimes make it lock onto a signal.  But this was only when it would spin on and on, without attaining a signal.  I never had an issue with getting power to the control module, though, so that sounds like a different issue to begin with.
Thanks for the reply.  I think we're just going to let sleeping dogs lie.  If the TracStar was up-gradable then we might have done something with it.  I think we'll get by for now with OTA broadcast and Blue Ray disk and video we've downloaded prior to travel.  More important things to spend CB on like shocks and airbags.
Title: Re: Satellite Question
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on June 14, 2017, 02:33:15 pm
I threw mine away last year and have OTA and satellite or cable if it's available where we stay.
There's nothing on TV anyway so I'm with Mark Duckworth and spending my money on a rebuilt steering box, etc.
Title: Re: Satellite Question
Post by: gracerace on June 14, 2017, 02:44:50 pm
Yes, they are out of business.They still work with Directv. We have one. Works and track awesome. For how long, I don't know.It won't switch sats, so you have to stay on 101.I have installed maybe 30 of them. Doesn't work with Dish any more. I tried one last fall.One satellite, with no HD
Chris
Title: Re: Satellite Question
Post by: Johnstons on June 14, 2017, 04:29:29 pm
Our 97 U295 had one in it that in my opinion wasn't that old.  When I called for support they told me they wouldn't have any parts for a 4 year old unit because it was old technology. 
Title: Re: Satellite Question
Post by: Jeff & Sandy on June 14, 2017, 04:47:00 pm
My Tracstar worked great for about 18 months then it died about 6 months ago. We replaced it with a DTV Traveler as I wanted HD. We have DTV at home so I was able to add a receiver on my existing account for the coach. It was the same footprint on the coach and no knew holes were required.