Summary of Contents for KVH Industries eTrac
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Page 1: User Manual
A Guide to the KVH eTrac installation & user manual Installation & Configuration • System Operation • Maintenance •... - Page 2 Thrane & Thrane, is designed to provide global e-mail and GPS tracking services. This manual provides instructions on the proper installation, use, and maintenance of your eTrac. Throughout this manual, important information is marked for your attention by these icons:...
- Page 3 A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System ® ™ and eTrac are trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc. easyMail and Capsat are trademarks of Thrane & Thrane. www.kvh.com...
- Page 4 KVH eTrac Warranty Registration Form Please fill out and return this page within thirty (30) days of purchase for warranty registration. KVH Industries, Inc. must have this information on file to validate any future warranty claims. Date of Purchase: _________________________________...
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Page 5: Table Of Contents
Connecting eTrac to Ship’s Power ........2-8... - Page 6 Mounting the eTrac (Side View) ........2-4...
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Page 7: Introduction
Introduction Global E-mail and GPS Tracking The KVH eTrac system provides global e-mail and vessel tracking capabilities via the Inmarsat-C service and the Global Positioning System (GPS). It is brought to you in cooperation with Thrane & Thrane, the world’s leading manufacturer of Inmarsat satellite communications systems. -
Page 8: The Global Positioning System (Gps)
Appendix A. The eTrac Antenna Unit The eTrac Antenna Unit is a compact system built to operate in the marine or outdoor environment. The Antenna Unit contains a complete Inmarsat mini-C transceiver with built-in LNA/HPA electronics, a 12-channel GPS receiver, and an omni- directional antenna designed to operate on vessels and vehicles. -
Page 9: Figure 1-2 Typical Etrac System Configuration
The eTrac E-mail Application The eTrac system includes a CD-ROM containing information on how to download the “easyMail” terminal software, a Microsoft Windows This application, developed by Thrane & Thrane, operates in a similar manner to Microsoft Outlook ®... -
Page 10: Materials Provided With The Kvh Etrac System
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System Materials Provided with the KVH eTrac System Your eTrac system is shipped with the following parts and materials: • Antenna Unit • Breakout Box, which also contains: – Three strain relief brackets –... -
Page 11: Additional Materials Required For Etrac Use
1.3.1 Additional Materials Required for eTrac Use To make full use of your new eTrac system, you will need to provide/purchase the following: • A Windows ™ -compatible computer or optional Thrane & Thrane Message Terminal • 14 AWG shielded, stranded marine cable to connect to ship’s power •... -
Page 12: Installation
Installation The KVH eTrac system is designed for simple installation and setup. Simply follow these steps: Choose the installation locations (Section 2.1) Mount the Antenna Unit (Section 2.2) Wire the eTrac System (Section 2.3) Download, install, and configure the easyMail application (Section 2.4) -
Page 13: Figure 2-1 Optimal Viewing Angle To The Horizon
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System When installing the eTrac Antenna Unit, find a location that is as free from obstructions as possible. Also maintain a certain distance to other antennas, GPS receivers, other Inmarsat equipment, and especially radar installations. Normally the best place for the antenna would be above radar-scanning antennas. -
Page 14: Mounting The Antenna Unit
The KVH eTrac comes equipped with a 16' (5 m) Antenna Unit data cable. However, a 33' (10 m) cable [part number 34-3026-942] and a 65' (20 m) cable [part number 34-3026-943] are also available. -
Page 15: Figure 2-3 Mounting The Etrac (Side View)
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System Connect the cable to the connector on the base of the Antenna Unit. Secure the Antenna Unit to the mounting surface with the washers and M4 screws from underneath, as illustrated in Figure 2-3. -
Page 16: Wiring The Etrac System
Wiring the eTrac System The Breakout Box of the eTrac system brings together ship’s power, data to and from the Antenna Unit, a DB9 connection for a computer or message terminal, and input/output connections for additional peripherals. Figure 2-4: Breakout Box Interior Arrangement (Top View) -
Page 17: Connecting The Antenna Data Cable
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System 2.3.1 Connecting the Antenna Data Cable The antenna data cable should now be accessible below decks. Run the cable to the Breakout Box installation site and follow these steps. Remove the two screws that secure the top of the Breakout Box. Set them aside along with the top of the Breakout Box. -
Page 18: Connecting Peripherals To The Breakout Box
2.3.2 Connecting Peripherals to the Breakout Box When using the Breakout Box, the eTrac system can support multiple peripheral systems, including a remote on/off switch. These peripherals are connected to the Breakout Box through the J2 terminal block connections. KVH recommends that peripheral cables be run through the right-hand cable access port as the power cable will need to be run through the left. -
Page 19: Connecting Etrac To Ship's Power
The eTrac system requires 10.5 to 32 Vdc (floating) to operate. An AC/DC converter will be required if the system is intended to operate with AC power. While the eTrac Breakout Box is equipped with a plug for a power supply, KVH recommends directly wiring vessel’s power to the Breakout Box. -
Page 20: Preparing The Etrac System For Use With The Inmarsat-C Service
Preparing the eTrac System for Use with the Inmarsat-C Service Before the eTrac system can be used, it MUST be registered as a Mobile Earth Station (MES) with the Inmarsat-C service. The e-mail application must also be configured based on the information provided during the registration process. - Page 21 A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System When starting up the eTrac system for the first time, it should be connected to a Windows-based PC or laptop computer via the DB9 cable port on the Breakout Box. The easyMail installation/configuration application available for download from Thrane &...
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Page 22: Automatic Easymail Configuration
The interface to the eTrac MES is a text-based interface compatible with earlier Thrane & Thrane Inmarsat-C MES interface protocols. The DB9 serial port is default 4800 baud, no parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit. When connected to the eTrac MES, it will respond with a “... -
Page 23: Using The Etrac System
Before using the Inmarsat-C system, eTrac must be registered in one of the four ocean regions. This is done by instructing the eTrac system to login to one of the four NCSs by launching easyMail and selecting Options-> Login as illustrated in Figure 3-1 on the following page. -
Page 24: Using Etrac To Send And Receive E-Mail
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System Figure 3-1: Logging in to the NCS Once the eTrac is logged in to an NCS, several LESes are available to transmit data. You will need to select an LES prior to initiating a transmission so that the eTrac knows which LES to use. -
Page 25: Figure 3-3 The Easymail Message Window
While images or attachments can be sent via the system, the process is very slow and can become expensive. As a result, KVH recommends that you limit your eTrac transmissions to text and data messages. If you do send an image or attachment, the recipient will need to rename the file with the appropriate file type;... -
Page 26: Entering Information In The Address Book And Sending An E-Mail
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System 3.2.1 Entering Information in the Address Book and Sending an E-mail The easyMail address book is pictured in Figure 3-4. Figure 3-4: The easyMail Address Book Click the Address Book icon on the main easyMail screen. -
Page 27: Using The Etrac Tracking Feature
Inmarsat-defined data reporting and position reporting and is fully compatible with the Thrane & Thrane Capsat Manager fleet tracking program. When an e-mail is transmitted, the eTrac system is identified to the recipient by its Mobile Number. When using the tracking feature, the GPS position data is transmitted in a very compact format that uses a different ID and signficantly reduces the cost compared to normal messages. -
Page 28: Local Etrac Configuration For Gps Position Reports
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System A position report from your eTrac is identified by the mailbox on the LES that stores the transmitted packet. The correct mailbox is selected by specifying the LES and a mailbox address called Data Network IDentity (DNID). Several eTrac systems can transmit position to the same mailbox at an LES. - Page 29 OK button to start the automatic reporting. Press the The eTrac system is now configured to send its position at regular intervals to the LES. The LES will store the data in the DNID mailbox and then forward it as an attachment to your e-mail account.
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Page 30: Troubleshooting And Maintenance
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) is required prior to returning the product to KVH Industries. Please call our Technical Support Department at +1 401 847-3327 or send an e-mail to techs@kvh.com to obtain the RMA number. Write the number in large, clear characters on the outside of the box. -
Page 31: Repackaging For Shipment
A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System Repackaging for Shipment The eTrac shipping carton has been carefully designed to protect the Antenna Unit and its accessories during shipment. This carton and its associated packing material should be used when repackaging for shipment. Follow the instructions provided in Section 4.3, “Return Authorization.”... -
Page 32: Appendix A System Specifications
Appendix A System Specifications G G e e n n e e r r a a l l S S p p e e c c i i f f i i c c a a t t i i o o n n s s Meets all Inmarsat specifications for the Inmarsat mini-C Network for Land-mobile and Maritime terminals. - Page 33 A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System G G e e n n e e r r a a l l S S p p e e c c i i f f i i c c a a t t i i o o n n s s ( ( c c o o n n t t i i n n u u e e d d ) )
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Page 34: Appendix B Mounting Template
Appendix B Mounting Template Mounting Hardware The eTrac baseplate has predrilled holes for use with three M4 screws. These screws must be inserted no more than 0.2" (5 mm) into the baseplate. - Page 35 KVH Industries Limited Warranty: eTrac Limited Warranty on Hardware KVH Industries, Inc. warrants the KVH product purchased against defects in materials for and against factory labor costs for a period of ONE (1) year from the date of original retail purchase by the original purchaser.
- Page 36 A Guide to the KVH eTrac Satellite Communications System THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE THE ONLY WARRANTIES GIVEN BY KVH WITH RESPECT TO ANY PRODUCT FURNISHED HEREUNDER; KVH MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR ARISING BY CUSTOM OR TRADE USAGE, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
- Page 37 KVH Industries, Inc. • 50 Enterprise Center Middletown, RI 02842-5279 U.S.A. • Phone: +1 401 847-3327 Fax: +1 401 849-0045 E-mail: info@kvh.com www.kvh.com ® and eTrac ™ are trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.