On long road trips, I used to get so tired of finding new radio stations every hour or so as I drove in and out of range. Now satellite radio makes it easy to listen to one music station (or an entire sporting event) without ever losing the signal. I expect that some drivers would like to have the same service for television for their passengers.

Well, now you can have it. KVH Industries has announced TracVision A7, which is a mobile satellite TV system including a hybrid phased array antenna that uses GPS to capture DirecTV satellite signals while in motion. The antenna is housed in a case that is roughly 32 inches square and only five inches thick. According to the company, the device has “whisper quiet” motors that keep the antenna aimed at the satellite.

I’m impressed by the technology, even if it is a tad expensive. I suppose that if you have passengers spending a lot of time in your car, and they want to be able to watch TV as they ride across the country, it sounds like a great solution. I still remember when in-car entertainment meant singing “There was a farmer who had a dog and Bingo was his name-o.”

Posted by Alfred Poor, August 25, 2006 6:00 AM