About Starlink - a cautionary tale

[NT2C]

And, here I am via Starlink.

[Moab]

And, here I am via Starlink.

So cool. Can't wait to get your reports from using it in your vehicle off road. I'm sure it will work fine stationary at various locations with clear line of site. But it will be interesting to see how it performs actually in an off-road situation..

Glad you got it figured out. You're for sure to exhausted from this process to do it. But a pic review would be awesome!

[DarkAxel]

Good that they got their heads out of their asses and got you straightened out. 

I wonder how Starlink would work in these mountains. 

[NT2C]

Good that they got their heads out of their asses and got you straightened out.

I wonder how Starlink would work in these mountains.

Needs a 110° view of the sky, oriented kinda northwest.

[NT2C]

And, here I am via Starlink.

So cool. Can't wait to get your reports from using it in your vehicle off road. I'm sure it will work fine stationary at various locations with clear line of site. But it will be interesting to see how it performs actually in an off-road situation..

Glad you got it figured out. You're for sure to exhausted from this process to do it. But a pic review would be awesome!

I managed to pinch a nerve in my back last night, in my sleep, and was up from 0130 in agony until about 0900 when I managed a few hours of sleep.  Might take photos tomorrow since the Jeep is parked in the garage.  I'm 99% certain the mount for the roof rack will work in a spot I didn't even think to try, which will put it just above and behind the driver's seat.  Should make it easy to orient for best signal.  Running on battery on my deck, not correctly aimed, I was getting 100 Mbps down and about 20 up, with 27ms latency.  Nothing to write home about, but good enough to stream a movie or browse the web.

My master plan is to plug the Starlink into my 330wh powerbank that has a 12v socket and will pass-through charge, then plug that into a switched 12vdc outlet in the Jeep cargo area.  That socket only works when the Jeep is running, so when parked the Starlink runs off the powerbank, and the powerbank charges when the Jeep runs.  To shut off the Starlink I can do it from the app, turn off the powerbank, or setup times of day when it "sleeps".

[Moab]

And, here I am via Starlink.

So cool. Can't wait to get your reports from using it in your vehicle off road. I'm sure it will work fine stationary at various locations with clear line of site. But it will be interesting to see how it performs actually in an off-road situation..

Glad you got it figured out. You're for sure to exhausted from this process to do it. But a pic review would be awesome!

I managed to pinch a nerve in my back last night, in my sleep, and was up from 0130 in agony until about 0900 when I managed a few hours of sleep.  Might take photos tomorrow since the Jeep is parked in the garage.  I'm 99% certain the mount for the roof rack will work in a spot I didn't even think to try, which will put it just above and behind the driver's seat.  Should make it easy to orient for best signal.  Running on battery on my deck, not correctly aimed, I was getting 100 Mbps down and about 20 up, with 27ms latency.  Nothing to write home about, but good enough to stream a movie or browse the web.

My master plan is to plug the Starlink into my 330wh powerbank that has a 12v socket and will pass-through charge, then plug that into a switched 12vdc outlet in the Jeep cargo area.  That socket only works when the Jeep is running, so when parked the Starlink runs off the powerbank, and the powerbank charges when the Jeep runs.  To shut off the Starlink I can do it from the app, turn off the powerbank, or setup times of day when it "sleeps".

I really need to buy this. But I really don't think I'm going to stay here in the Phillipines. And I already have a truck load of stuff I will need to sell before moving back. And that's not easy here. People just don't buy used stuff here. 

I would be more than happy with that speed. But I think the max iirc is 300mbs download? Not that I would need it except in an emergency. But signal while driving is of interest to me. I've read reports that good signal can still be had while driving. But iirc driving coupled with heavy rain has a negative impact. But those reports are from here in the PH. And it rains HARD here. 

I also thought some of the hardware was self aiming? Or does it only do that on the home units first time set up stationary?

[NT2C]

And, here I am via Starlink.

So cool. Can't wait to get your reports from using it in your vehicle off road. I'm sure it will work fine stationary at various locations with clear line of site. But it will be interesting to see how it performs actually in an off-road situation..

Glad you got it figured out. You're for sure to exhausted from this process to do it. But a pic review would be awesome!

I managed to pinch a nerve in my back last night, in my sleep, and was up from 0130 in agony until about 0900 when I managed a few hours of sleep.  Might take photos tomorrow since the Jeep is parked in the garage.  I'm 99% certain the mount for the roof rack will work in a spot I didn't even think to try, which will put it just above and behind the driver's seat.  Should make it easy to orient for best signal.  Running on battery on my deck, not correctly aimed, I was getting 100 Mbps down and about 20 up, with 27ms latency.  Nothing to write home about, but good enough to stream a movie or browse the web.

My master plan is to plug the Starlink into my 330wh powerbank that has a 12v socket and will pass-through charge, then plug that into a switched 12vdc outlet in the Jeep cargo area.  That socket only works when the Jeep is running, so when parked the Starlink runs off the powerbank, and the powerbank charges when the Jeep runs.  To shut off the Starlink I can do it from the app, turn off the powerbank, or setup times of day when it "sleeps".

I really need to buy this. But I really don't think I'm going to stay here in the Phillipines. And I already have a truck load of stuff I will need to sell before moving back. And that's not easy here. People just don't buy used stuff here.

I would be more than happy with that speed. But I think the max iirc is 300mbs download? Not that I would need it except in an emergency. But signal while driving is of interest to me. I've read reports that good signal can still be had while driving. But iirc driving coupled with heavy rain has a negative impact. But those reports are from here in the PH. And it rains HARD here.

I also thought some of the hardware was self aiming? Or does it only do that on the home units first time set up stationary?

The units are, in effect, phased array antennas, so they are electronically "aimed" (and the bigger home unit antennas work better), but they still need to be oriented with the satellite constellations for best signal.

Just mounted the mini to the Jeep, and immediately realized there may be an issue with wind noise and rain intrusion at highway speeds.  Not to mention not being able to reach both locking screws with the tool provided.



That's the mount.  The two screws on the right are screws to lock the release bar to prevent the unit from being easily unlocked.  I can only reach the one close to the camera; the other is impossible to reach with the Allen key they provide.




See that angle?  That's high in the front, so wind will be trying to lift it off, but the power connection is under the low part.  It's pretty waterproof, but still...




The other issue is that the unit is significantly blocked by that big steel-belted tire and steel rim on a big steel mount.  I think I'm going to relocate it to the rear of the tire.  That will have it facing away from the tire and better out of the wind.

[eugenenine]

put it on top of the tire right in the center, it would then be hidden from people walking around

[NT2C]

And... if I'd read the mount instructions, I'd know I have it backward. 

So, I have to take it off, reverse the mount so the slope angles the other way (but the connections are facing to the front) and try to reach the screws and connections past the lightbar.  I may have to put it further out on the rack.

Edit: Fixed (had a helluva a time getting it off)





Had to move it back a row because the mount was hitting the bolt heads of the lightbar bracket.

[NT2C]

put it on top of the tire right in the center, it would then be hidden from people walking around

Wouldn't fit through a standard 7' garage door then.  The tire just barely clears.  I have to remember to lower the air suspension going in/out.

[EBuff75]

I was just refused service at a local carwash this week because of the solar panel I have mounted on my roof rack.  Apparently they've changed their policy and are now denying access for people who have external aftermarkets "because it might damage our equipment"...  Your Jeep would probably set off flashing red lights and screaming alarms for them! 

(I just went to a different carwash who had no problem with it whatsoever)

[NT2C]

I was just refused service at a local carwash this week because of the solar panel I have mounted on my roof rack.  Apparently they've changed their policy and are now denying access for people who have external aftermarkets "because it might damage our equipment"...  Your Jeep would probably set off flashing red lights and screaming alarms for them! 

(I just went to a different carwash who had no problem with it whatsoever)

Yeah, mine only goes in "touchless" car washes, if at all.