Starlink ordered… I feel it’s the only sensible option now..

[MisterB]

We seem to be going round in more circles than a sat dish trying to find Astra 2 ..ok, last time, elevate the dish to wherever you want and leave it there. If the dish is pointing south then Dishy could be attached so it faces North. You don't need the Dishy motors to do anything, those who have flat mounted to an RV/motorhome have removed the motors. The old sat dish mechanism could do the positioning in the general direction. If you think of how some (a couple of people) have adapted their solar panel, it's the same thing in my mind.
To me the principle makes sense, I'm not suggesting it's practical or even the best way to achieve an auto starlink setup.
And I recognise you are not being awkward, it's prob me not explaining myself fully

 

[MisterB]

Just arrived today, all ready to make an enclosure so I can use Dishy via 12v as explained on the overlanders you tube video.

 

[zac]

is that the boondocker one or the 1st one he showed?

 

[Mr Mousy]

Something telescopic coming down into a cupboard would be better

This is my plan…replace my existing MIFi aerial that goes through the roof and into a locker with this combination.

I found some new but unused bargains on eBay last week.

Fortunately I can open the shower roof skylight and place the dish into the pole mount when we want to use it and remove it when driving. The router and cable will be in the locker all the time.

I just need to enlarge the diameter of the hole through the roof to 50mm and find a cap for the Starlink pole mount to stop any water coming into the van when not in use.

 

[zac]

This is my plan…replace my existing MIFi aerial that goes through the roof and into a locker with this combination.

I found some new but unused bargains on eBay last week.

Fortunately I can open the shower roof skylight and place the dish into the pole mount when we want to use it and remove it when driving. The router and cable will be in the locker all the time.

I just need to enlarge the diameter of the hole through the roof to 50mm and find a cap for the Starlink pole mount to stop any water coming into the van when not in use.

View attachment 768542View attachment 768543View attachment 768544

is that going in a normal tv aerial hole as that was my original plan but from what I can see it would stick out on the roof someway with the dishy on the end?

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[Mr Mousy]

It’s a standard status aerial mount. When not in use I’ll take the dish out. The cable will be routed through the tube. Ideally I want to find a ‘travelling cap’ that I can hook the cable to it so it’s easy to grab the cable when putting the dish out.

 

[zac]

It’s a standard status aerial mount. When not in use I’ll take the dish out. The cable will be routed through the tube. Ideally I want to find a ‘travelling cap’ that I can hook the cable to it so it’s easy to grab the cable when putting the dish out.

ah ok that makes sense to remove it when not in use, its a shame as for me that would be perfect as there is already a hole there but there would be no way for me to remove the dishy when not in use without climbing up on a ladder which would not be practical for me.

 

[Gromett]

ok. I decided to put my mind to it and decide how I would do it without modifying the dishy.

I would use a pole mount. It would be in two sections. The first/lower section would be secured to the rear of the van permanently. It would be hinged at the bottom and have a clip at a point about as high as I could reach.
So I would unclip the top then hinge down the pole so it is at a height that is comfortable to work on. This pole would be just tall enough to clear the roof of the van so that when dishy isn't mounted on it, it does not cause any wind resistance while driving, but tall enough so that dish is above the roof height when attached.

Depending on location. I would then either attach the dishy directly to this pole OR have an optional second pole extension. You can choose the size for this 2nd pole option, but you could go pretty high. I would look at 1-2 metres myself.

I would then have a lockable/sealable box mounted to the back of the van near the bottom of the mast hinge which would have the cable looped up inside it with a pass through to the inside of the van. Open the box unloop the cable and attach it to dishy before raising it back up into position.

Part of my is tempted to have a play with a permanent mount behind the van offset so that I can just raise the pole up and down by half a metre, but not absolutely convinced this would be safe due to turbulence at the back of the van.

I like this method because it keeps the roof space clear, allows me to keep it inside when not in use and doesn't require me to cut dishy to bits to make if flat mounted.

I have to thank x17ken for inspiring my solution

 

[Gromett]

Whoohoo. Just looking for a way to connect Dishy to a pipe and found out they do an adapter in the US. Not available in the UK. so did a bit of googling and someone appears to be in importing them

https://amzn.to/3PbjfH8

Looks like a straight forward 3D print job if you can trust 3D printed items for this type of work?

 

[dpsuk999]

The StarLink shop sells them for £52

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[dpsuk999]

And they are available in the UK and that price includes shipping too

 

[Gromett]

And they are available in the UK and that price includes shipping too

I just looked in my UK shop and they are not showing

Thanks
Edit: Just did a hard refresh and they are now showing

 

[Gromett]

ok. I just remembered from my radio amateur days some of the "Grown ups" had extendible towers that went under their car wheels. Just googled

Moonraker Drive on base with tilt over up for upto 2" mast

Moonraker Drive on base with tilt over, Heavy duty drive on a plate with 90-degree tilt over Key Features/Specifications: Suitable for up to 2" masts (51mm approx.) or less with side securing bolts Size: 46 X 23cm Height: 30cm.

www.radioworld.co.uk

Add an extendible pole to this

Large mast 33 feet extended WIRE ANTENNAS / Weather station

THIS MAST IS DESIGNED FOR BASE OR PORTABLE USE.IN THE FIELD OR MOUNTED AGAINST A WALL.ALSO, A TRIPOD IS AVAILABLE AS AN OPTION. WILL HOLD MOST VHF/UHF BEAMS OR GENERALLY USE FOR WIRE ANTENNAS, WITH GUY POINTS ATTACHED AS STANDARD.

www.radioworld.co.uk

Probably not a good idea to extend these all the way without guy ropes if you are putting dishy on top. But it is giving me a few ideas

 

[Minxy]

You can get telescopic poles already for loads of stuff eg for paint rollers, cleaning tools etc, so might be an idea to look for something that already exists and adapt it

 

[Revolvor]

You can get telescopic poles already for loads of stuff eg for paint rollers, cleaning tools etc, so might be an idea to look for something that already exists and adapt it

I have a boat hook similar to this. It's pretty rigid and locks securely so one can push or pull on it.

Telescopic Boat Hook Extends 102cm - 168cm Extending Lightweight Aluminium Yacht | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Telescopic Boat Hook Extends 102cm - 168cm Extending Lightweight Aluminium Yacht at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

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[Gromett]

You can get telescopic poles already for loads of stuff eg for paint rollers, cleaning tools etc, so might be an idea to look for something that already exists and adapt it

Which is why I linked one

 

[Gromett]

I have a boat hook similar to this. It's pretty rigid and locks securely so one can push or pull on it.

Telescopic Boat Hook Extends 102cm - 168cm Extending Lightweight Aluminium Yacht | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Telescopic Boat Hook Extends 102cm - 168cm Extending Lightweight Aluminium Yacht at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Those are great for longitudinal stress. But not sure they would deal very well with wind loading causing lateral stress.. That is why I looked at the extendible antenna masts in my above post and not the usual cheapies off Amazon. (Don't ask me how I know lol)

 

[Realist]

I have a brand new Starlink pipe adaptor I’ll not use, purchased from Starlink last week, box opened and that’s it.

I’ve started, well tried to get a return/refund but Starlink are a pain to deal with so if anyone wants it I’ll let it go for £50 posted.

Not a lot in saving I know but it’s new.

 

[zac]

I have a brand new Starlink pipe adaptor I’ll not use, purchased from Starlink last week, box opened and that’s it.

I’ve started, well tried to get a return/refund but Starlink are a pain to deal with so if anyone wants it I’ll let it go for £50 posted.

Not a lot in saving I know but it’s new.

Sounds like a good deal to me, post it in the classifieds as that will surely sell as starlink takes ages to ship accessories. I ended up cancelling mine they took so long.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Does anyone know how the billing works on Roam?
Say you went away for 30 days, the last 15 of one month, the first 15 of the next, activating Roam as you leave, are you likely to pay 2x the monthly fee?
I can't find any details other than "Billing is in one-month increments, allowing users to customize their service to their individual travel needs." But not sure if that is calendar months / 30 day cycles or some other system.

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[Revolvor]

Does anyone know how the billing works on Roam?
Say you went away for 30 days, the last 15 of one month, the first 15 of the next, activating Roam as you leave, are you likely to pay 2x the monthly fee?
I can't find any details other than "Billing is in one-month increments, allowing users to customize their service to their individual travel needs." But not sure if that is calendar months / 30 day cycles or some other system.

It is 30 day cycles. If you know you only want 30 days then pay for 30 days and immediately cancel the service. It will then continue for 30 days, but not renew automatically.

 

[Kups]

Does anyone know how the billing works on Roam?
Say you went away for 30 days, the last 15 of one month, the first 15 of the next, activating Roam as you leave, are you likely to pay 2x the monthly fee?
I can't find any details other than "Billing is in one-month increments, allowing users to customize their service to their individual travel needs." But not sure if that is calendar months / 30 day cycles or some other system.

This is from their website.

Monthly Service Billing Cycle

• Following 30 day service period in which you are billed for.
• Statement (Invoice) generation date: 14 days after your Starlink Kit ships, your monthly statement is generated. This is the first day of your billing cycle and monthly service period. Your statement will generate on this day every month.
• Payment due date: 7 days after your statement generates, your payment method on file will be automatically charged.
• Return window: You can return Starlink for a full hardware refund within 30 days of delivery.

Your dates are shown on your account " billing" section.

 

[bigtwin]

It is 30 day cycles. If you know you only want 30 days then pay for 30 days and immediately cancel the service. It will then continue for 30 days, but not renew automatically.

This is from their website.

Monthly Service Billing Cycle

• Following 30 day service period in which you are billed for.
• Statement (Invoice) generation date: 14 days after your Starlink Kit ships, your monthly statement is generated. This is the first day of your billing cycle and monthly service period. Your statement will generate on this day every month.
• Payment due date: 7 days after your statement generates, your payment method on file will be automatically charged.
• Return window: You can return Starlink for a full hardware refund within 30 days of delivery.

Your dates are shown on your account " billing" section.

Are these posts not incompatible/contradictory?

Ian

 

[JockandRita]

And being used in anger at a meet.
View attachment 768084

A great photo there Karl, from the days of FACTS.
Sadly, at least two of those present have passed away now. RIP Rosemary & Brian.

Jock.

 

[Kups]

Are these posts not incompatible/contradictory?

Ian

Not surre what you mean. My post is a copy and paste from the Starlink account FAQ page.

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[Revolvor]

Are these posts not incompatible/contradictory?

Ian

I was paraphrasing this, based on previous posts from other members:

Service Cancellation. You can stop the recurring monthly payment, cancel Services and withdraw at any time via your Starlink account located within the Starlink Customer Portal. To avoid being billed for the following month of Services you must cancel Services prior to your invoice statement being generated.

 

[Minxy]

Which is why I linked one

I know but yours was a bit pricey!

 

[bigtwin]

Not surre what you mean. My post is a copy and paste from the Starlink account FAQ page.

Yes, I got that.

I was paraphrasing this, based on previous posts from other members:

Service Cancellation. You can stop the recurring monthly payment, cancel Services and withdraw at any time via your Starlink account located within the Starlink Customer Portal. To avoid being billed for the following month of Services you must cancel Services prior to your invoice statement being generated.

Ok, but I wouldn’t conclude from that that it’s 30 days from when you start/stop the service.

Ian

 

[Tombola]

go to your account online, it will give you your billing dates on the downloaded nvoice

 

[Gromett]

I know but yours was a bit pricey!

Some of your "cheap" suggestions are not suitable. They are designed for longitudinal load not lateral. Probably wouldn't stand up to a mild breeze with a dishy on top sadly.

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