Starlink usage

[Leons_Bad_Side]

Ok I consider that to be a pay as you go plan. Again interpretation. All good and like I said not trying to agree or disagree with anyone here. Just looking for some tips and pointers.

 

[Leons_Bad_Side]

I don't know if the cable from the dish to the router is long enough for me to attach the dish to my ladder and reach the pass through where I plan on installing the router. Something I'll figure out on this next trip. I see you can get a longer one from Starlink.

 

[SilentService]

Ok I consider that to be a pay as you go plan. Again interpretation. All good and like I said not trying to agree or disagree with anyone here. Just looking for some tips and pointers.

All is good! They only to become fully informed is to ask a lot of questions. That is what this site is for.
Besides, sometimes disagreeing with someone is a good thing!

 

[SilentService]

I don't know if the cable from the dish to the router is long enough for me to attach the dish to my ladder and reach the pass through where I plan on installing the router. Something I'll figure out on this next trip. I see you can get a longer one from Starlink.

Typically the cables that come with the kit are 75ft long. At least mine was.

 

[ajg617]

I don't know if the cable from the dish to the router is long enough for me to attach the dish to my ladder and reach the pass through where I plan on installing the router. Something I'll figure out on this next trip. I see you can get a longer one from Starlink.

Mine was long enough to reach my Flagpole Buddy. I stashed the router behind the pass thru wall. My Nautilus panel had a pop-out plastic plug and I ran the cable through that hole securing it with an electrical box cable clamp which fit nicely in the hole in the Nautilus. I coil the cable up and hang it in the pass thru (there is enough room at bottom gasket to fit the cable in securely), and when using Starlink on the Flagpole Buddy, I run the cable through the fresh water hose opening. I did purchase a longer cable though for the times that we just set the stand up so I could get further away from trees or other obstructions (like the RV).

 

[jsm180]

From my experience with Roam, the monthly fee is prorated from the start date till the end of the billing cycle. Just remember to cancel the service before the end of the billing cycle or you will be charged for another month. Service will continue till the end of the billing cycle.

As for mounting, I use a flagpole mount unless we are only overnighting. The router lives in the pass through. Etsy has several mounts and storage solutions.

 

[jjbbrewer]

Dont mean to disagree with anything being said here just my interpretation of pausing then un pausing something is I pause something then at some point in time later I can unpause and resume from where I left off.

True. For example, you can't pause it when you go to bed, then unpause it in the morning.

As mentioned, it's monthly billing cycles. The good thing is that if you unpause it 1/2 way through your normal cycle, they pro-rate it for that cycle. You have to pause it sometime before the end of your cycle, otherwise you'll pay for the next full cycle. (aside - Garmin InReach subscriptions work the same way)

So I guess someone could game it by unpausing well into the cycle, then repausing it before the end and get a few days of service prorated.

 

[Lostinspace]

Got the roaming plan a few years ago. Also built a 12v supply for it for the old trailer, I I'm in Northern British Columbia, so lots of no cell camping. Picked up my 399 this year, and bought this https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D4D15M2K?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 ,works great, but needs it's own router so I replaced the existing OEM lippert router with my own. Have been running all summer, no issues so far.

So starlink is a bit of a power hog. The old power supply used 10 to 15 amps, the new one 5 -10


Richard

 

[jjbbrewer]

So starlink is a bit of a power hog. The old power supply used 10 to 15 amps, the new one 5 -10

I have a 1st gen antenna and, after setup & aiming, draws about 55 watts from a 120VAC supply. Were you getting 10-15 amps pulled from a 12V supply?

 

[Lostinspace]

That is not using the starlink router, I have a tp link 12vdc and the 12vdc converter listed earlier, my statement is based upon monitoring my battery shunt for draw when it is on vs off. But since my router replaced the lippert one, that draw is not included, so dish draw only.

 

[Lostinspace]

You got me thinking I may have mismeasured, so here is a picture of my shunt, solar off, battries only, showing less than 4amps total draw while running starlink. It is gen 2, and active connection that I am using to reply.

 

[SilentService]

You got me thinking I may have mismeasured, so here is a picture of my shunt, solar off, battries only, showing less than 4amps total draw while running starlink. It is gen 2, and active connection that I am using to reply.

Same with mine. Usually 3.5 amps.

 

[jjbbrewer]

3.5-4 amps sounds about right (42-48W) - a little better than my 1st generation.

 

[Leons_Bad_Side]

Another question please. I have the standard kit. The dish has a kickstand. My question is does the kickstand come off so I can put a flagpole buddy in it's place? The kickstand does move a bit but I have not been able to get it to release to remove it.

 

[Leons_Bad_Side]

Ok figured it out.

 

[gschultz0311]

I just got one of the Starlink kits and I was wondering if there are people using it and if it’s working as expected. I haven’t started my service yet but I was wondering about a few things. Do most people hard install the receiver or something they put out when camping? If it get set up when camping does it stay set up at night when sleeping or when it’s raining? Im not full time so will be using it ass needed or when on camping trips.

We mount ours on a speaker stand (Amazon) so the antenna is 5-6 ft above ground. Have been getting excellent speed and connectivity. Where you place the router is key. Ours is on the passenger side basement just in front of the stairs (2024 Influence 3503GK).

 

[Rideblue51]

I found a container that would fit my Gen 3 antenna that would allow the corner protectors that came with it. When I can't use my flag pole buddy because of trees or other obstructions, I use the container to sit the antenna on. My TV is in my slide out so I installed a water proof connection in the slide out and it goes through to behind my TV, where my power unit and wifi sit as well. I just recently received this email about my $150/month bill going up to $165/month, but I guess I can use it on the go if I want now.

 

[smullinax]

We bought a version 2 dish setup in October of 2023 and signed up for the roaming plan. Couldn't be more satisfied with the Starlink service!
We're full time, so now it's just a part of my setup/teardown routine.....use the compass on my phone to find approximate north, clip the dish into the stand, and the system does the rest. We have used it from wide open desert to almost complete tree coverage in central Ohio and it just works. It normally just sits on the ground or maybe a picnic table and no one has messed with it yet. No more fooling with spotty phone service and hotspot data plans. In fact, I was just looking into cheaper phone plans because we don't use the hotspots anymore.
When we were in the Solitude I kept the router in the pass thru and ran the cable out the water bay.....now in the motorhome I keep the router in the basement and run the cable out with the power cord. We stream all our TV and run a computer and 2 iPads on the wifi with no issues. Only complaint I have is the system came with only a 50 ft cable....originally they came with a 75 ft one that would come in handy at times.
I did just get an email that says they are increasing the monthly charge from $150 to $165 in October, but adding in-motion service to the plan....not that I'll us that with my portable dish.

 

[Spence]

I just got one of the Starlink kits and I was wondering if there are people using it and if it’s working as expected. I haven’t started my service yet but I was wondering about a few things. Do most people hard install the receiver or something they put out when camping? If it get set up when camping does it stay set up at night when sleeping or when it’s raining? Im not full time so will be using it ass needed or when on camping trips.

I have a Starlink kit and love it. I also purchased a extension pole at the Quartzite RV Show made for starlink. I mount it on the ladder at the back of my 5th wheel, and run the cable under my trailer to the opening under my cargo area and plug the router inside the cargo compartment. It works perfectly. High speed internet where ever we park. Just make sure you can see the sky where you park. Rain hasn't bothered use at all, it is water proofed.

 

[georgiadawg]

I just got one of the Starlink kits and I was wondering if there are people using it and if it’s working as expected. I haven’t started my service yet but I was wondering about a few things. Do most people hard install the receiver or something they put out when camping? If it get set up when camping does it stay set up at night when sleeping or when it’s raining? Im not full time so will be using it ass needed or when on camping trips.

Sorry that I’m just now seeing this.

We use Starlink all over the State of Wyoming and at our house on North Caicos.

In fact, we are camping right now at West Tensleep CG in the Bighorn National Forest. We have trees surrounding us, but have enough of a gap for it to acquire a good signal (which is common). I’m getting 96 mb down, 10 mb up, and a bit more latency than normal.

We’re able to text, email, stream TV, etc.

As Starlink has put more satellites, the connectivity has steadily gotten better and better.

Since we can easily turn the service on / off for both systems, we only pay for one at a time.

Finally, we have the dish mounted on our RV atop a pole from FlagPoleBuddy.com and it works great. It stays up the entire time we’re camping but I would never leave it up while towing.

Jeff