Starlink question

[chemist308]

I have Starlink, but this will actually be my first time travelling with it. My question is how do you mount yours? Also for those who use it, do you do a temporary or permanent roof mount? I considered the permanent mount, and snaking the cable through the waste plumbing vent, but could the dish even handle highway wind speeds?

Before this I was using the cell-based internet plans (Nomad and then later Trifecta). They had their issues but worked as long as I had signal. In retrospect, I'm so glad I never screwed the old Winegard TOGO into my roof, because they axed that sweet internet plan within 1 year of me buying it--who else misses that old plan?

 

[Timmer]

We have only used ours a couple of times now. So far we are just setting it out. I'm looking at ladder mounts. Most of those are a pole that connects to the ladder. I just found this one today which seems like a better idea to me. Direct ladder mount

 

[reubenray]

I use a heavy duty tripod

 

[Riverbug]

I like the flag pole mount on the ladder. It gets it off the ground. When traveling in Alaska and boondocking, we just felt better having it locked up and out of the way. For quicker setup I ran a cable from the storage bay up front where I keep the router to the rear corner by the ladder and installed a waterproof ethernet port there. Once we put up the flag pole we just connect the cable at the rear port. Ours is the Gen 2 (or 3?) that turns and aligns itself. The newer ones can be mounted permanently on the roof from what I've seen.

 

[txloser]

Flagpole mount if we’re some place more than one night and it’s not obstructed. Otherwise I use it’s stand on a Lowe’s storage container and place where it won’t be obstructed.

The ladder mount is great since it’s out of the way, but a hassle putting up if it’s real windy or the rear of the trailer is up high.

 

[ajg617]

Sometimes I only set it on the ground stand - but the concern I have is others walking through and tripping on the cable. Mostly I use Flagpole Buddy on the ladder - easy set up and gets the dishy above the top of the RV roof.

 

[jsm180]

Ladder mount if trees allow, I carry the stand and 150ft cable just in case.

 

[Jason-Texas]

We use the ladder mount “Flagpole Buddy” about $230. We run the cable thru the water hose inlet by the nautilus , and plug the router in there as well. We have not tried to permanently mount it. I think you need the ability to move it around based on tree coverage.

 

[COGrandDes]

We use the flag pole buddy system as well. No permanent mounting and it accounts for trees and other obstructions. I converted mine to run on DC since we only boondock and have all my electrical connections and the router in my front compartment. I added the PoE plug near my propane tanks which are open to the air so no holes needed or anything running up through the basement storage spaces.

 

[ajg617]

We use the ladder mount “Flagpole Buddy” about $230. We run the cable thru the water hose inlet by the nautilus , and plug the router in there as well. We have not tried to permanently mount it. I think you need the ability to move it around based on tree coverage.

That's where I ran the cable - my Nautilus had a pop-out 1" plug in the back wall to connect to the router which I have behind the pass-thru false wall.

 

[Timmer]

One thing to note is that for the newer mini model the wifi is built into the dish. There is no need to run a cable into your camper if you are plugging it into an outside outlet.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I added the PoE plug near my propane tanks which are open to the air so no holes needed or anything running up through the basement storage spaces.

POE is 48 volts...did you wonder about an electrical device by the tank?

 

[COGrandDes]

POE is 48 volts...did you wonder about an electrical device by the tank?

No sir, I did not. The power supply is inside the front compartment. The Ethernet plug is the only thing out near the tank. I also would quickly address a propane leak if I had one. The plug on the SL Ethernet cable has a rubber seal on it and is plugged in firmly before you power up the unit anyway. Very low risk in my opinion.

 

[BrokeDown]

I recently switched from Gen 2 to Gen 3 but still use the same mounting system. I got my flag pole from Camping world. It was more costly than the Harbor Fright pole, but it is also more heavy duty. My ladder mount is similar to the Flagpole Buddy, though I purchased mine from a flag and pole dealer at a farmers market. I added a PVC pipe and a wooden dowel to the pole to keep the dish mound from crushing the flag pole. I purchased my dish pole mount from Starlink.

I just watched a better idea for the pole mount.

With Gen 3, I’ve made one small change—I wrap good-quality electrical tape around the sections of the pole so that they can't tuen. Since I avoid parking near trees, I usually only extend the flagpole one section, just enough to clear the RV roof. As a result, I only need to tape two areas. Despite high winds, my dish remains perfectly aligned.

I run the cable through my kitchen slide, with the router positioned on the coffee bar next to it. I’ve been using this setup (minus the tape) for over two years, and it works great. The whole setup takes about 10 minutes.

 

[txloser]

That's where I ran the cable - my Nautilus had a pop-out 1" plug in the back wall to connect to the router which I have behind the pass-thru false wall.

Same thing except the router is on the exposed side of the pass through opposite side.

 

[ajg617]

Same thing except the router is on the exposed side of the pass through opposite side.

Works pretty well. The only reason I stuffed my router (older free-standing) in the wire mess closer to the coffee bar was signal strength. Seemed to make a difference when working on couch.

 

[JulesandtheBear]

Flag Pole Buddy. Elegant solution, sturdy, works in sustained winds of 45mph. Yeah, a bit pricy, but you get quality for your investment.