I found some more news on KVHI on a YAHOO news site. Earlier you stated earnings were expected on 2/24. What are the numbers supposed to be? Looks like KVHI is now selling the same antenna that it uses for its TracPhone for TVs. Boy, volume is terrible!
Monday February 3 10:57 AM EDT
KVH Introduces World's Smallest Fully Stabilized Marine
Satellite TV Antenna for DIRECTV
MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- KVH Industries Inc announces the introduction of
TracVision(R) II, the smallest, fully stabilized marine satellite TV antenna that works while a vessel
is under way.
"TracVision II has broad market appeal, opening up satellite TV to a whole new segment of
boaters. Our larger TracVision antenna appealed to owners of vessels greater than 70 feet.
TracVision II answers the demand for a smaller, inexpensive unit on boats as small as 35 feet," said
Martin Kits van Heyningen, CEO and President.
TracVision II, a compact stabilized antenna that receives up to 200 channels of DIRECTV(R) and
USSB programming, measures about 21 inches high and 19.25 inches in diameter. The unit weighs
about 30 pounds and retails for $5,495.
TracVision II is specifically engineered for the marine environment. All components are corrosion
proof and weatherized, but most important, the antenna is fully stabilized, which enables boaters to
reliably receive the optimum reception, even in rough seas.
"Unlike some non-stabilized TV antennas originally designed for RVs and pushed into the marine
market, TracVision II is a bonafide marine product, able to deliver perfect reception even while
under way," said Kits van Heyningen.
TracVision II works with the extremely powerful direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system. These
DBS satellites enable the use of extremely small satellite antennas. However, these satellites require
pinpointing accuracy. That is, the antenna must be perfectly aligned with the satellite in order for the
antenna to receive the satellite signals necessary for TV programs aboard the vessel.
The TracVision stays aligned with the satellite via internal heading and gyro sensors. These sensors
guide a robotics pedestal that compensates for the boat's pitch, roll and yaw, providing boaters with
exceptionally clear TV reception and sound.
TracVision II is Part of KVH's Family of Stabilized Satellite Antennas
TracVision II originated from sensor and gyro technology developed for KVH's OEM product, the
ASAP(TM) or Actively Stabilized Antenna Pedestal. The ASAP is used in Scientific Atlanta's
marine satellite communication product.
From the ASAP technology, KVH developed the TracVision, a gyro-stabilized antenna that uses
the DBS system for DIRECTV at sea. The TracVision is much larger than TracVision II, measuring
34 inches high and 35 inches in diameter. The system retails for $7,995, compared to TracVision II
$5,495 price tag,
KVH's latest products, the AMSC Tracphone(R) and the Inmarsat Tracphone for regional and
worldwide marine telecommunication, were developed using the same core satellite sensor
technology. These products, however, aim at different high-powered satellites. For example, the
AMSC Tracphone uses American Mobile Satellite Service Corporation's high-powered satellites
with coverage that extends hundreds of miles off the continental U.S., including Hawaii, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Alaska. The Inmarsat Tracphone uses Inmarsat's new Inmarsat-3
generation of satellites for worldwide coverage.
Most recently, the TracVision II was born. The TracVision II will receive TV programming up to
100 miles off the continental U.S. as compared to the larger TracVision's standard 200 mile
offshore coverage. Both systems use the high-powered DBS system.
KVH Background
KVH Industries produces digital navigation systems and mobile satellite communications products
for use in commercial, military and marine applications. Based on advanced sensor technology,
KVH products precisely measure the direction and orientation of moving platforms, including
vessels, vehicles and aircraft. KVH's stabilized satellite antennas are key enablers linking mobile
users to the most demanding high gain, high bandwidth geostationary satellite applications and
emerging digital satellite links operating at high transmission frequencies (Ka band). As bandwidth
demands increase, KVH is uniquely positioned to address these requirements via mobile satellite
links for voice, fax, video and high-speed Internet access.
NOTE: DIRECTV is a registered trademark of GM Hughes Electronics. Tracphone and
TracVision are registered trademarks of KVH Industries. SOURCE: KVH Industries, Inc.
Sorry about the uneven lines.
MJS |
