Just a heads up on a topic that I have been following and speaking about for a year now. DirecTV has committed to changing their broadcast protocol from DVB to DVBS2. From what I have heard, the process has already begun, all satellites but the main one at 101 degrees are already DVBS2. The migration to DVBS2 is supposed to be complete by 2018, at that time NONE of the existing automatic satellite systems will work. I have been pleading with them (DirecTV) via email to at least leave the current pointing algorithm in place for a few more years until some of our equipment will eventually need replacing anyway.

Like DirecTV, Dish Network already has DVBS2 equipment in place and they tell no one when they change anything, in fact, we recently received new pointing parameters for Dish Network from KVH last week so they to have begun the full transition to DVBS2, fortunately, with a parameter change we can still point to the Dish birds. They have also confirmed another "Big" change next July but no one knows what that will be, perhaps the complete transition?

So whats the big deal? The DVBS2 protocol allows 34% more bandwidth which means more channels per transponder and per satellite, which translates to a lower cost of doing business, transponder time is expensive.

The GOOD news is that it is rumored that DirecTV is bringing all of it's North American English programming will be returned to the 101 orbital slot and will be fully Ku band. Currently DirecTV has five birds at the 101 degree slot. In the recent past, DirecTV had it's standard definition programming at 101 on Ku band and the high-definition programming is located at the 99 and 103 orbital slots. The 119 slot is Ku band for standard-definition local channels and the 110 slot has been all but abandoned. With that being said, for the first time in many years, you will be able to receive DirecTV High-Definition channels with a domed satellite.

Dish Network has always and continues to broadcast using Ku band but to receive them all on multiple receivers you needed a stationary system capable of doing so. In-Motion or domed antennas supply all of the birds to only one receiver.

DirecTV subscribers, please join Helen and I in writing emails to DirecTV customer support asking them to maintain the current pointing algorithm to allow our legacy equipment to continue to operate. Of the over nine million DirecTV subscribers, two million are RV'ers so we are a substantial number to them. Problem is, they and Dish are the only games in town and they are both transitioning to DVBS2.

Finally, it is my understanding that there are three systems that are currently being produced that are DVBS2 compatible. The in-motion KVH RV1 states this in their literature, the stationary Winegard Trav'ler series and RF Mogul Eagle series have been verbally cleared by spokespersons from both manufacturers but it is not mentioned in any of their literature. We currently sell only those three systems.