Middletown-based KVH Industries began selling compasses in 1982. In 1993, KVH began developing antennas for another company, using the sensor technology from their digital compasses to accurately point at a signal even while moving.

Now, KVH has a line of its own antennas for satellite television (TracVision), phones/faxes (TracPhone), and Internet (TracNet).

“We have more experience doing this than any other company out there,” said [spokeman Chris] Watson. “We have sold more than 100,000 mobile satellite systems. There’s nobody else who comes close to that.”

“The potential audience for our products has gone up..." he said. “...in the RV market there are millions of RVs, and then in...excess of three to four million SUVs and minivans have video equipment, and they estimate that by 2011, 20 million will have video screens in them and 3 million will have satellite TV.”