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Old 10-21-2020, 01:29 PM   #1
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Starlink Installation / Experience

I know we're not there yet but I'm hoping this will end up solving my internet availability problems on both sides of the border.

In anticipation, would like this thread to discuss how to install or experience with installing a Starlink user terminal and provided router in a late model classic. Issues like:

- where/how to mount antenna
- where to place modem and provide it with power
- interface to peplink for Airstream Connect or displace peplink
- etc
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Old 10-27-2020, 12:48 PM   #2
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Starlink just announced "Better Than Nothing Beta" for some of those that signed up for the beta program in the Northern US.

Estimated speeds 50Mbps to 150Mbps
Estimated latency 20ms to 40ms
Some interruptions in connectivity to be expected
$499 for the phased array antenna and router
$99 per month subscription
No data caps

Any Airstream takers?
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Old 10-27-2020, 01:44 PM   #3
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I am definitely interested and would sign for the beta program if I knew how! I signed into the website with not much more than an email and zip code. I have not heard anything since except that they received my sign-up.

Right now Space X is not allowed to provide service to Canada. See this link:

https://spaceq.ca/spacex-starlink-se...-crtc-license/

But one day it will be and also hopefully available to you. I would like to get started on this right away! As of a few days ago, my AT&T plan just ran out! Do you have any information on how to get in touch with the Starlink program?

We travel across the country with the AT&T plan, it was wonderful to be able to have unlimited service under the AT&T/Airstream plan. It was a slap in the face when AT&T pulled the plan. Some of us signed up for another year and got it! But now it has lapsed and the alternative would be too expensive.

The Starlink plan will be even better than AT&T's plan. It may be expensive at $99 per month, but the current hotspot from AT&T is 16Gb for $125/month. Considerably more for a lot less bandwidth.

The advantage of the Starlink program will be internet service no matter where on earth you are. Highest mountain or widest desert. Your internet will be available. Can I live without the internet? Of course, I can. Just not for long!

The nice thing is, it can be used at home. I'm currently paying about $65/month now.
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Old 10-28-2020, 01:10 PM   #4
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See the update at www.RVmobileinternet.com. My take away is that in the foreseeable future they are not goin to offer ‘mobile’ options. It sounds like you are locked into a specific spot beam area. As long as the antenna is in the beam area you could move around but you may not get service if you are out of that beam area.

Another challenge unlike satellite TV or even a HughesNet dish is that you can’t shoot between the trees. You have to have a absolutely clear view. Supposedly they will have an app that can tell you if your dish location will work while you view it on your phone, similar to the satellite pointing app that I have on my phone now for Dish/HugehsNet.

https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/spa...ils-announced/
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Old 10-31-2020, 07:30 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghaynes755 View Post
See the update at www.RVmobileinternet.com. My take away is that in the foreseeable future they are not goin to offer ‘mobile’ options. It sounds like you are locked into a specific spot beam area. As long as the antenna is in the beam area you could move around but you may not get service if you are out of that beam area.

Another challenge unlike satellite TV or even a HughesNet dish is that you can’t shoot between the trees. You have to have a absolutely clear view. Supposedly they will have an app that can tell you if your dish location will work while you view it on your phone, similar to the satellite pointing app that I have on my phone now for Dish/HugehsNet.

https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/spa...ils-announced/

The nature of the beast. As SpaceX adds more satellites it is conceivable the sheer quantity (currently projections show 42,000 satellites to be launched) will allow for several or more satellites in the sky at one time making the "clear view" of the sky smaller.

Until then, it sounds like it will not solve our mobile internet issue.
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Old 10-31-2020, 01:42 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ldavids View Post
Starlink just announced "Better Than Nothing Beta" for some of those that signed up for the beta program in the Northern US.

Estimated speeds 50Mbps to 150Mbps
Estimated latency 20ms to 40ms
Some interruptions in connectivity to be expected
$499 for the phased array antenna and router
$99 per month subscription
No data caps

Any Airstream takers?


I would love to try it but I’m in the Pacific Southwest
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Old 12-09-2020, 06:20 AM   #7
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4 Things RVers Need To Know About Starlink Internet

Article from the CamperReport website summarizing the recent Reddit session with Starlink engineers and Elon Musk.

"Recently, the Starlink team did an “Ask Us Anything” session on Reddit. The Starlink engineers answered many of the hundreds of questions posed to them. Elon Musk even chimed in from time to time. We sifted through the thread and pulled out four things we learned from the Starlink engineers that RVers might want to know."

https://camperreport.com/starlink-internet/
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Old 12-09-2020, 07:51 AM   #8
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The FCC just awarded Elon Musk $800 million for his Starlink Program. I think it's going to be huge.
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Old 03-05-2021, 04:20 PM   #9
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Connecting a Starlink to a 2018 Globetrotter

I just got my Starling package and will be installing it on or around my 2018 Globetrotter. Don't get too excited, I'm only allowed to use it in my current location (St. George, Utah) so I can't take it on trips--at least for now.

I haven't yet opened the box and I don't yet know how to mount the dish and how to connect the cable to the Airstream or if I'll need to create a new penetration.

If anyone has done this already, I'd love to benefit from your experience.

Thanks,

Dave
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Old 03-05-2021, 06:43 PM   #10
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We are watching the Star-link closely.
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Old 03-05-2021, 08:05 PM   #11
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I just setup Starlink at my farm (where we live) a few days ago. We are in southwest Wisconsin and I was accepted I to the beta program and received my kit a few weeks ago. I do not plan on using it with the airstream; this is strictly for the farm.

Dave, what was it you want to know about install?
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Old 03-08-2021, 11:13 AM   #12
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Starlink Install

I want to know the best way to:

1. Run the satellite cable into the Airstream without creating a new penetration. Is the best way to replace the exterior coaxial cable connection with one that is compatible with the Starlink?

2. How to best mount the dish, either on the roof or a pedestal/stand of some sort. The dish is large and it occasionally moves to track the satellites making it difficult to know where to mount it and how to attached it. The pedestal/stand might be the best answer here.

My Airstream is currently in a single location so I won't be moving my Starlink service to another location, but I do occasionally move my Airstream. I don't need to mount the dish on the Airstream, but I do want it to be elevated at least to 3-4 feet or so off the ground.
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Old 03-08-2021, 04:22 PM   #13
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Dave,

I think that given the Dishy McFlatface’s extreme aversion to obstructions, I second your notion of keeping it on a tripod or on the ground. This will allow you the most flexibility in terms of positioning it for the best signal without the hassle of having to move the trailer into position. The only other thing I can think is to have a mounting pole that will get it above the Airstream and that can be manually rotated. I’m guessing there are a lot of full timers that can get you some advice on affixing the pole to the trailer and Starlink will soon sell a pole mounting kit.

As for cable routing, honestly I think the best plan would be to drill a hole somewhere covered—the refrigerator vent, the inside of a storage compartment, somewhere where the cable bundle goes to the inverter, etc. The reason I say that is because the standard routing for these kinds of accessories—the vent stack—would be awkward for something you are hooking up all the time.

The cable is long—100’—and not standard. There are portions on the cable at least 5/8” in diameter so that’s the minimum size hole you’d need. But you can drill this then use a grommet or fitting with caulk to waterproof it.

This cable goes to a POE box that will require AC. This box gets warm. One thing you might do is put the POE box somewhere easily accessible on the outside (like a cargo compartment) and see if you can close the compartment over the cable to the dish. Then the only cables you need to run through the trailer (AC and standard Ethernet) can be done through one of the walls of the cargo compartment.

You can choose to skip the Starlink modem if you wish and run your own router.

Let me know if there is anything else you’d like to know.
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Old 03-08-2021, 04:29 PM   #14
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Just went out to the airstream to see if I could close the cargo compartment over a similar diameter cable and that’s a no-go. But I had another thought. One slick way to do this would be to repurpose the satellite input on the outside of the trailer. Not sure if that wiring is tacked down on the inside but running through that or getting a jack wired into that would be ideal.
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Old 03-08-2021, 10:33 PM   #15
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Thanks!

nryn,

Thanks for your input. I’m much more confident in placing the dishy on a pole—you are right, it may need to be repositioned and that would work great. And using the satellite input is brilliant and seems to be obvious now that you have pointed it out.

Thanks a million!
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Old 03-09-2021, 09:59 AM   #16
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Don't have my kit yet but they accepted my deposit so I'm on the list. Also averse to drilling holes so I'm going to try and use Powerline adapters which allow you to run an ethernet signal between 2 adapters over house wiring.

One adapter outside the trailer plugged into the external power outlet. You can get Powerline adapters with POE ports which might be enough to provide power to the dish. If not then would plug the Starlink power supply into one plug and Powerline adapter into other and connect them with short enet cable. Inside the trailer I would plug the other Powerline adapter into any convenient 110/120 outlet (in my case under the table) and hook the router into that adapter.

Think this should work but would need to somehow weatherize the external Powerline adapter. Thoughts?
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Old 03-10-2021, 10:05 AM   #17
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Starlink For RV’s and Semi Trucks

Read this before drilling holes and modifying your Starlink equipment. BE PATIENT.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/spacex-looking-to-connect-starlink-to-aircraft-rvs-trucks
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Old 03-14-2021, 02:51 PM   #18
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Starlink and Powerline Adapters with POE Ports

ldavids,

The power line adapters with poe ports is an interesting solution. I've order a pair and hope to try them out this week. I'll post the results as soon as I can.

I also found online a speaker tripod that holds 100 lbs. This looks like a good sturdy solution if I want to move my Starlink dish around, or store it when I'm not using it (as opposed to a fixed mount on the roof). This does require the Starlink pipe adapter, but they are currently on back-order. I'll also post the results here.
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Old 03-15-2021, 09:43 AM   #19
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Cool Wireless wifi Mesh solution vs drilling.

For those attempting the Power Line (Ethernet over AC) adapters, any power surge/suppression on the 120v may reduce/prevent the network propagation.
Although a nice cost solution 50-60.00 pair if it works.

Another viable solution is a high speed wireless / mesh solution such as ORBI or EERO. These kits come with 3 pods each offering two (2) Ethernet ports out the back and expandable. 295.00-395.00 per kit. EERO PRO model being more advanced and higher speeds.

Not only would this quickly and wirelessly get “hard Ethernet” connectivity into the AS, it will boost the “wifi signals” and “hard Ethernet capability” around the whole house that may not have that now. (For Smart TV, ip cameras, desk computers, printers etc..)
So property and Airstream pending their placement all win 3X including the no drilling part !
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Old 03-15-2021, 11:09 AM   #20
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I just watched a YouTube video about this very thing. From Mobile Internet Resource Center.
Starlink uses a spot beam transmitter. You tell Starlink where "home" is and they assign that area to you.
Now the problem. If you leave your zone, the satellite is instructed to ignore you. You might go 30 miles with no problem, then zero service. Currently, you can call Starlink and tell them you've moved. In a few days they'll find a new "home base" for you. This doesn't work for most RV'ers. They're working on an interface where you could change locations online. That eliminates the days delay.
Using Starlink underway is a long way off.
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