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Satellite Question

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!
Mark Duckworth
2003 U320 4220
Build 6199, Motorcade 17971

Re: Satellite Question

Reply #1 –
I do not believe the TrackStar can receive satellite signals anymore and no updates are available.

Re: Satellite Question

Reply #2 –
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.
Jennifer
2003 36' U295 (# 6070)
Thousand Oaks, CA

Re: Satellite Question

Reply #3 –
Quote from: tothetrail –
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.
Mark Duckworth
2003 U320 4220
Build 6199, Motorcade 17971

Re: Satellite Question

Reply #4 –
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.

Re: Satellite Question

Reply #5 –
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
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Satellite Question

Reply #6 –
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. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Satellite Question

Reply #7 –
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.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344