Tracstar Satellite Problems

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Tracstar Satellite Problems

April 30, 2016, 06:51:45 pm

Is anyone having problems with their Tracstar Satellite antennas. I have been told that dish changed their format and Tracstar will no longer work. Is anyone using a Tracstar with DirectTv and if so, is the Tracstar still working.
Larry

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #1 – April 30, 2016, 07:34:28 pm

ltg -

We had been using our TracStar SV260 for the last three years. We had heard that DTV is continuing to change programming code and equipment so that our TracStar would stop working sometime. 2 years later, just a few weeks ago it stopped working. Could no longer lock onto the DTV satellite. (DTV couldn't help answer any question because they don't know so don't bother calling them.)

We contacted the local favored RV Sat guy - Sats-To-Go and he installed a new Winged Slimline Travler. We also upgraded to HD and got a DVR.

Tough to swallow but it's done. Don't have to worry about it any more.

Have you run diagnostics and re calibrate your unit? Which SV do you have?

PM me for additional conversation, if you wish.

Good luck,

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #2 – April 30, 2016, 07:48:49 pm

Scott, we were using Dish. I just talked to a Dish Technical Supervisor and he admitted that Dish recently discontinued their old transponders about a month ago and some old satellite antennas would no longer receive a signal. I also talked to Mr. Newsom of Newsom Electronics. He is the person in Florida that took over Tracstar customer service from Tracstar a couple of years ago and he confirmed that Tracstar antennas would no longer work with Dish.
Larry

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #3 – April 30, 2016, 08:18:10 pm

My tracstar stopped picking up Directv in March. I went on line and did some of their troubleshooting and got it to lock on again.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #4 – April 30, 2016, 10:59:08 pm

Had the same problem with my Mogul dish. I downloaded a firmware update from their website, load it on a usb stick, plug it into the usb on the front of the controller and reboot. Everything ok fine now.

see ya
ken

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #5 – April 30, 2016, 11:20:41 pm

Ken - You are my hero.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #6 – May 01, 2016, 07:03:19 am

Mine sometimes forgets what it is supposed to do . have learned to just unplug the phone looking type plug on the end of the little control box , wait 10 seconds , plug it back in . This resets it somehow . I notice this mostly when we are in between trips and the first day out . I keep it on the whole time when out of the coach house .

Brad Metzger

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #7 – May 01, 2016, 09:52:13 am

Had Tracstar. Quit working in March. Worked with it for three weeks gave up

. While in Perry Had Traveler installed and winegard new dome local channel unit put on coach. Now HD and Direct TV. Direct TV has now fixed the local channels only for your zip code. If this has not happen to you it will when you upgrade. Direct TV has been easy to work with but call during regular hours during the week. They have call units all over the U.S. and you will never know where they are but definitely in U.S.. If you still have tracstar be ready to replace soon.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #8 – May 01, 2016, 01:44:50 pm

Is KVH Tracvision the same as Tracstar?

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #9 – May 01, 2016, 02:58:09 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – May 01, 2016, 01:44:50 pm

Is KVH Tracvision the same as Tracstar?

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #10 – June 12, 2016, 03:01:29 am

Well, mine has quit also. I've got SV360 and went ahead and loaded the latest software 3.16G just in case it would help. No dice. It's scanning all over but not locking on DTV 101 or anything else for that matter. I'm driving to Port Arthur tomorrow so I'll see if maybe it can lock on over there... Wouldn't it be great if we could just change out the LNB or something, I've been so happy with the Tracstar until now.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #11 – June 12, 2016, 10:00:57 am

Google troubleshooting Tracstar and try the various steps. I have gotten mine to re-lock on twice but resign yourself to replacing it in the near future according to Sat experts. Directv is making a change to DVBS2 which is supposed to be done by 2017. Tracstar does not have the technology to work with DVBS2.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #12 – June 12, 2016, 10:02:23 am

I have a King dome KD-2200 and it also has stopped working. After some interaction with the manufacturer they've come to the conclusion that the changes to dish network satellites have killed it. It's really stupid, all of these dishes should have flashable firmware, but then that would cut into their profits wouldn't it?

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #13 – June 12, 2016, 10:07:52 am

I am leaving here in about 10 minutes, heading to Tennesee RV to switch my Tracstar out for a Wineguard Traveler.

I bought the mounting plate and dish on Amazon for $1,600.00. Installation will be $450.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #14 – June 12, 2016, 11:52:58 am

We will be switching to Traveler in the fall. Can not complain about the Tracstar, never a problem in 9 years.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #15 – June 12, 2016, 10:51:55 pm

We have a Tracstar 360SV that came with our new to us Coach. Was able to switch it over to Dish with no issues and it's been working great!

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #16 – June 13, 2016, 12:19:37 am

BigD629,
Your SV360 is working great with Dish? You are receiving satellites 110, 119, and 129? And, are you also receiving HD?
Larry

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #17 – June 13, 2016, 12:57:45 am

Quote from: Mark D – June 12, 2016, 10:02:23 am

I have a King dome KD-2200 and it also has stopped working. After some interaction with the manufacturer they've come to the conclusion that the changes to dish network satellites have killed it. It's really stupid, all of these dishes should have flashable firmware, but then that would cut into their profits wouldn't it?

The RF Mogul has a flashable controller. Download the firmware to a USB stick and insert into controller and you're done. I've done it twice since purchase. Also get 5 minute satellite lock.

Edited to add: I see that the dementia has set in and I repeat myself. I see that the dementia has set in and I repeat myself.

see ya
ken

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #18 – June 13, 2016, 08:46:55 am

Quote from: ltg – June 13, 2016, 12:19:37 am

BigD629,
Your SV360 is working great with Dish? You are receiving satellites 110, 119, and 129? And, are you also receiving HD?
Larry

Yes, I only watch HD. I was really surprised how well it worked this weekend in Arkansas, we were under some pretty good tree coverage! Haven't tried the in motion yet.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #19 – June 13, 2016, 09:45:13 am

BigD629,
That is great. My SV360 would not work in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. I removed it and replaced it with a Winegard. My brothers SV360 works with Directv SD but not HD.
Larry

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #20 – June 13, 2016, 09:58:25 am

Quote from: ltg – June 13, 2016, 09:45:13 am

BigD629,
That is great. My SV360 would not work in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. I removed it and replaced it with a Winegard. My brothers SV360 works with Directv SD but not HD.
Larry

From my understanding, you can only receive Direct HD with a Traveler System. That is why I went with Dish. I will be upgrading to the Traveler for Dish when we go fulltime. Then we can use the Hopper setup for the DVR.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #21 – June 13, 2016, 01:46:02 pm

I am happy to learn that like the Tracstar, the new Wineguard Traveler dish also picks up local broadcast channels (including HD). I think it's important to be able to see local news and weather.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #22 – June 13, 2016, 03:17:32 pm

Do not wish to hijack this thread..........

I think the following statement is accurate:

With DTV be it TracStar of Travler you will only get "local" channels when you are in your "service address" area. If your "service address" is Houston you will get all channels including local Houston channels. If you move to Savannah you will not get local channels either Houston or Savannah. You must call DTV and change your "service address" to get Savannah local channels but you will not be able to get Houston. I do not know of restrictions as to how many "service address" changes can be made.

On another note, you can not get HD with TracStar - sv260 or sv360 as they have a dome.

I believe HD does work with the sv260 & sv360 while using Dish as a program provider.

As stated above, our sv260 stopped tracking the DTV sat. so we installed the Travler and now get HD programming.

We have been changing our "service address" when we are in a location longer than one week to get local channels.

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #23 – June 14, 2016, 11:01:16 am

Quote from: Carol & Scott – June 13, 2016, 03:17:32 pm

Do not wish to hijack this thread..........

I think the following statement is accurate:

With DTV be it TracStar of Travler you will only get "local" channels when you are in your "service address" area. If your "service address" is Houston you will get all channels including local Houston channels. If you move to Savannah you will not get local channels either Houston or Savannah. You must call DTV and change your "service address" to get Savannah local channels but you will not be able to get Houston. I do not know of restrictions as to how many "service address" changes can be made.

We have been changing our "service address" when we are in a location longer than one week to get local channels.

We use to change our "service address" as we moved in and out of local spot beams (but we were only moving at 9 mph and stopping along the way). I discovered that if I changed my "service address" to New York city, I could get the network channels out of NY no matter where we were.

That will happen for us either in Nac or the next stop up the road.
This does mean that the tvs in the house in Austin also get the NY networks and the guide shows NY time, but thats ok - I'm not there and guests will just have to live with it.
If I want local-local news I use OTA.

hth

Re: Tracstar Satellite Problems

Reply #24 – June 16, 2016, 06:25:00 am

This is in my future. Any recommendations for installers in the north to northwest? Headed to Pacific northwest via Wisconsin and North Dakota.

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