Starlink antenna connection

[thebaum]

Has anyone replaced your cable/satellite connection to a connection for the Starlink? If so, what did you use?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by thebaum

Has anyone replaced your cable/satellite connection to a connection for the Starlink? If so, what did you use?Attachment 426517

Not Starlink, but I replaced my "Cable" connection with a 75 Ohm cable from my WeBoost Destination RV antenna. I removed the plate/connectors in your picture, disconnected the "Cable TV" cable and ran the new Weboost cable under the cabinet/sink up under my L-couch where it connects to my amplifier. I have not mounted the amplifier to the cabinet yet,so excuse the mess; I just lay the amplifier on the ledge and put the router in the cabinet, and use the outlet as shown. On my 28', once I removed the cabinet under the microwave and stove, next to the refrigerator, access running the new cable was not hard; not sure about your access in the 30 C with your dinette being next to the fridge, but perhaps under the seat area access??

[AKNate]

I’ve been interested in this as well. It might be possible to pull Ethernet cable using the coax, but I wonder if it would get hung up in the wall in the process leaving you in a difficult spot. They make Ethernet over coax adapters which would be a super simple solution if it worked, but I haven’t looked into all the details.

ASUS 2.5Gbps Ethernet Over Coax Adapter Starter Kit (MA-25 2 Pack), MoCA 2.5, High Speed Internet, Mesh backhaul, TV Streaming, MPS Security, Wall-mountable

[thebaum]

Originally Posted by AKNate

I’ve been interested in this as well. It might be possible to pull Ethernet cable using the coax, but I wonder if it would get hung up in the wall in the process leaving you in a difficult spot. They make Ethernet over coax adapters which would be a super simple solution if it worked, but I haven’t looked into all the details.

ASUS 2.5Gbps Ethernet Over Coax Adapter Starter Kit (MA-25 2 Pack), MoCA 2.5, High Speed Internet, Mesh backhaul, TV Streaming, MPS Security, Wall-mountable

That is a great concept, but I have read coax cannot handle the dish signal.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Smart plug. You give up either your sat or TV connection but it becomes water tight

[thebaum]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

Attachment 426523

Smart plug. You give up either your sat or TV connection but it becomes water tight

Is this something that can be purchased from Amazon, etrailer?

[foobar]

Originally Posted by thebaum

Is this something that can be purchased from Amazon, etrailer?

Smartplug model # BDCOAX

Available at multiple vendors, including etrailer.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Power-In...ug/SM98FR.html

The above model has one coax port and one ethernet port.

Smartplug also makes a model with just an ethernet jack (no coax).

Smartplug model # BDETH

Available at etrailer too:

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Power-In...ug/SM38FR.html

I used both kinds of smartplugs in my Airstream trailer upgrade project. The coax plus ethernet version was used to replace the factory dual coax port on the streetside of the trailer. The ethernet only version was used on the side of my battery box.

I have two options for plugging in the starlink cable. The battery box location is for a future telescoping pole mount for the starlink dish that I will mount on the trailer A-frame up front.

[Jeff7176]

I also use the SmartPlug to connect cable/sat/etc and ethernet. I added and extra coax port to mine.

[s1000pre]

Just plug the Starlink into the exterior power outlet and place the router behind the rear wheel. Attach the flagpole and starlink to your jack with the house tuning clamps and a couple wing nuts, your all set. Works like a charm! I ended up wiring one of my exterior outlets to an inverted circuit for internet while boondocking.

[Jeff7176]

I did my install today. I put the Starlink router in the overhead cabinet above the dining table (International 25FB) behind the little false wall/side (where the speaker is mounted).

I ran a cable fish down from the overhead to the area below the seat, and from there it was easy. Cut the cable, installed new connectors, and connected it all to the ethernet port on the SmartPlug connector.

I did replace the stock SmartPlug ethernet pass through with a more weatherproof version.

The most difficult was fishing the cable through the wall. I needed to drill a 3/4 inch hole to the inside wall under the seat to pull the cable through.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with how it all turned out.

[thebaum]

Originally Posted by foobar

Smartplug model # BDCOAX

Available at multiple vendors, including etrailer.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Power-In...ug/SM98FR.html

The above model has one coax port and one ethernet port.

Smartplug also makes a model with just an ethernet jack (no coax).

Smartplug model # BDETH

Available at etrailer too:

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Power-In...ug/SM38FR.html

I used both kinds of smartplugs in my Airstream trailer upgrade project. The coax plus ethernet version was used to replace the factory dual coax port on the streetside of the trailer. The ethernet only version was used on the side of my battery box.

I have two options for plugging in the starlink cable. The battery box location is for a future telescoping pole mount for the starlink dish that I will mount on the trailer A-frame up front.

Did you use shielded cable and what cat did you use?

[Jeff7176]

The Starlink cable is Cat5e shielded cable. You should also use shielded connectors.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by thebaum

Did you use shielded cable and what cat did you use?

I used shielded Cat7. I really, really don't recommend that approach and if I was doing this all over again, I would not use it again. Cat7 is really stiff and inflexible along with being total overkill.

Starlink cabling uses shielded cat5e cabling and connectors and obviously that is perfectly acceptable.

Recommend either shielded cat5e or shielded cat6 cable and shielded connectors of the same rating.

Note: Shielded cabling and connectors are required for the lightening arresting functions to work correctly.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by Jeff7176

The Starlink cable is Cat5e shielded cable. You should also use shielded connectors.

Jeff beat me to it :-)

[thebaum]

Originally Posted by foobar

I used shielded Cat7. I really, really don't recommend that approach and if I was doing this all over again, I would not use it again. Cat7 is really stiff and inflexible along with being total overkill.

Starlink cabling uses shielded cat5e cabling and connectors and obviously that is perfectly acceptable.

Recommend either shielded cat5e or shielded cat6 cable and shielded connectors of the same rating.

Note: Shielded cabling and connectors are required for the lightening arresting functions to work correctly.

Thank you!

[thebaum]

Originally Posted by foobar

Jeff beat me to it :-)

Thank you!

[extranrg]

Originally Posted by Jeff7176

I did my install today. I put the Starlink router in the overhead cabinet above the dining table (International 25FB) behind the little false wall/side (where the speaker is mounted).

I ran a cable fish down from the overhead to the area below the seat, and from there it was easy. Cut the cable, installed new connectors, and connected it all to the ethernet port on the SmartPlug connector.

I did replace the stock SmartPlug ethernet pass through with a more weatherproof version.

The most difficult was fishing the cable through the wall. I needed to drill a 3/4 inch hole to the inside wall under the seat to pull the cable through.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with how it all turned out.

When you cut the cable, what did you do with the ground wire? I am seeing connector types where only the 8 wires are connected through the new cord end, and the ground wire is bypassed. Can you share what connectors you are using? I already have the SmartPlug piece, but I am not yet confident enough to cut the cord...

Thank you.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

https://amzn.to/3RyxfcZ

https://amzn.to/3JEWcBV

Here is the terminal I used as well as the crimp tool. Both were easy to use… my first time and it was simple. For the ground wire I just tucked it under the terminal before I crimped per YouTube instructions.

[jfbradshaw4]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

Attachment 426523

Smart plug. You give up either your sat or TV connection but it becomes water tight

Where did you get the weather sealed screw on ethernet connection? It doesn’t show that on the smart plug picture on etrailer.

[Jeff7176]

The weatherproof connector is not part of the SmartPlug. I used this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B095J...b_b_asin_title

With respect to the ground wire, I crimped it under the metal part of the shielded ethernet plug. In all, it’s very simple to do. The most difficult part is getting the wires lined up to get into the connector in the correct order.