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

[Smokaijo]

Now that the Camino (Tiekom) service has had its day and the continued roaming data challenges, as well as crappy data service in the UK, I’ve had enough of pratting around as I just want always on, full service broadband wherever I am.

So, the solution (I hope) is a Starlink Roam order was placed today. £460 for the hardware, £95 per month for the service. I know some may consider this expensive but I will no longer need a data tariff SIM in the UK for the Netgear, nor will I need the Tiekom data SIM for between 5 and 8 months per year and I can knock back the Popit SIMs to 10Gig each, so the difference is not that great really.

I’ve worked out a spot on the roof where I will be fitting a small frame to mount the dish whilst parked up. It will be a couple of mins job to climb ladder and four wing nuts to secure, connect the cable and job is done!

The cable will be permanently installed through the roof into my existing media cupboard and at present I will power from my main inverter, but I may switch to a small 250w Victron pure sine wave inverter just for this in the future, so I don’t have to leave the main inverter on all the time.

Starlink quote around one KWh of power consumption per day. The peak power consumption is 75w and average consumption seems to be in the 35w range (230v power ratings). Many North American RV users are suggesting that the power consumption is way better than Starlink suggest and better than they expected.

A new feature from Starlink should help with power use as you can set ‘night periods’ where the system shuts down during set hours to reduce power consumption. I’ve ordered and will fit another 200w solar panel to augment the existing solar. I actually needed a larger Amperage Victron MPPT and some bigger cable to the batteries as well, so not the cheapest exercise…

I’ve purchased a compact almost purpose designed electrical box to store the 75ft cable in on the roof when travelling. This will enable me to move the dish from the roof to the ground should I have obstacles obstructing the dish, but very easily without too much faff.

Will try and document a ‘how I did it’ incase it is of interest and or use to others and will of course let everyone know how good (I hope) this is…..

the expectation and promise from Starlink matches real world performance. Watch this space!

My son-in -law loves it as where he lives internet is rubbish but with Starlink he no long drops from conference calls or Wi-Fi indoors - he’s not in a MH but as promotions for Starlink goes ticks all his boxes.

 

[coopc]

I got this 2 emails

Boondocker
Your payment has been processed

Boondocker
Your order is on the way. Track your shipment to see the delivery status.

Along with tracking number - Look forward to having a play - not looking forward to cutting all the wires !!

 

[zac]

I got this 2 emails

Boondocker
Your payment has been processed

Boondocker
Your order is on the way. Track your shipment to see the delivery status.

Along with tracking number - Look forward to having a play - not looking forward to cutting all the wires !!

At least they have now shipped it. Don't need mine now but not heard anything anyway but not bothered.

 

[coopc]

At least they have now shipped it. Don't need mine now but not heard anything anyway but not bothered.

ETA 28th Sept according to Canada post

 

[MisterB]

Starlink Dish Flat Mount RVs Campervans Boats - DC Conversion Everlanders Remix | eBay

Everlanders - Original idea of mounting Starlink dishy in a better, different way to star-mount systems and much cheaper. Plus lots of other cool content! This mount is perfect for vehicles like RVs, campervans, boats, and more.

www.ebay.co.uk

this looks like a reasonably priced flat roof mount, not sure why you would want the option to fix Dishy in with bungee straps though? if the straps deteriorated in the sun then you risk losing your new best friend?

if the option is so that you can remove for security reasons if parked away from your home, that wouldnt make sense as Dishy can only be accessed by its owner, due to the serial number etc.

if its so it can be removed then put back into the mount when you park up, then why not just use the 4 threaded rod/feet solution?

is PLA a good base material for the mount?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[zac]

Starlink Dish Flat Mount RVs Campervans Boats - DC Conversion Everlanders Remix | eBay

Everlanders - Original idea of mounting Starlink dishy in a better, different way to star-mount systems and much cheaper. Plus lots of other cool content! This mount is perfect for vehicles like RVs, campervans, boats, and more.

www.ebay.co.uk

this looks like a reasonably priced flat roof mount, not sure why you would want the option to fix Dishy in with bungee straps though? if the straps deteriorated in the sun then you risk losing your new best friend?

if the option is so that you can remove for security reasons if parked away from your home, that wouldnt make sense as Dishy can only be accessed by its owner, due to the serial number etc.

if its so it can be removed then put back into the mount when you park up, then why not just use the 4 threaded rod/feet solution?

is PLA a good base material for the mount?

Def would not use PLA, that mount looks like the everlanders one with a mod for bungees. Also when I printed mine the weakest point was where the 2 halves join together which is only held by glue that's it. I added pieces of flat aluminium to strengthen it. Still a good price considering this takes over 100 hours just to print but no way in PLA. Should At least be PETG

 

[PaulandChrissy]

Agreed. PLA is a big No No for outside use. It’s not UV resistant and will degrade rapidly. PETG is a better option, but ASA would be even better as it’s fully UV resistant and deforms at a much higher temperature. Only problem with ASA is it’s a devil to print large items as it likes to shrink while you’re printing.
PETG is probably the one to go for. It’s very good at resisting impacts and prints much easier. I’ve had PETG exposed to the sun for 3 years now and it’s not showing any signs of deterioration. Don’t print it in black as it will absorb heat from the sun and will deform. White would be the best colour.
PaulandChrissy.

 

[zac]

Mine was fine in ASA but was a real pain to print. Then primed and sprayed for extra protection. Just don't like that there is nothing holding the 2 parts together aside from glue at the top and bottom on the original . Def needs supporting there which is where I used flat aluminium strips.

 

[David Bradley]

I got this 2 emails

Boondocker
Your payment has been processed

Boondocker
Your order is on the way. Track your shipment to see the delivery status.

Along with tracking number - Look forward to having a play - not looking forward to cutting all the wires !!

I managed to order one of these before they also sold out - no cable cutting required at all

YAOSHENG Rectangular Dishy Cable Adapter to RJ45. Connect Your Dishy V2 to PoE Injector Quickly and Easily.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYJTHX4P/

 

[coopc]

I managed to order one of these before they also sold out - no cable cutting required at all

YAOSHENG Rectangular Dishy Cable Adapter to RJ45. Connect Your Dishy V2 to PoE Injector Quickly and Easily.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYJTHX4P/

Yes I found that option after I ordered the Dishy Dualie - Which at the time expecting was delivery late July !
Decided when I found out about the Yaosheng products to wait for the Dualie
Just checked delivery process and in 2 days the Dualie has got to Langley sorting office in UK. Still says 28th expected delivery though ? cant take that long to go through customs ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Threeracers]

Evening all, ordered Starlink and received an email from them advising a shipping date estimate of Wednesday 20th to Tuesday 26th. How soon can I expect it to land on my doorstep on the Kent riviera? I understand that they ship from California so I just wondered what to expect.

TIA

Mark

 

[zac]

Mine was next day so I would say 2 to 3 days max

 

[Threeracers]

Mine was next day so I would say 2 to 3 days max

Thank you Zac. And may I ask did you get another email saying it was actually shipped?

Mark

 

[coopc]

Hi Threeracers

I ordered on a Saturday (20 May)
I got 3 mails
Order Confirmed
Payment processed
Order shipped


This was the tracking
Your parcel's journey

Date	Time	Message
24th May 2023	10:46	Your parcel is delivered
24th May 2023	07:43	Your parcel is out for delivery
24th May 2023	06:51	Your parcel is at the delivery depot
23rd May 2023	08:55	We're sorry but the delivery of your shipment has been delayed. We expect to deliver on the next working day
22nd May 2023	20:17	Your parcel has been collected

Very good service and a great bit of kit - Would be nice if they did less than 1 month billing/usage

 

[Tombola]

Evening all, ordered Starlink and received an email from them advising a shipping date estimate of Wednesday 20th to Tuesday 26th. How soon can I expect it to land on my doorstep on the Kent riviera? I understand that they ship from California so I just wondered what to expect.

TIA

Mark

Both Mine was 2 days from ship date

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Threeracers]

Thanks all, it looks like it should be here before I plan to set off on my next trip which is what prompted me to order it in the first place.

I am deliberating over a flat permanent roof mount or using the stand it comes with. I assume the signal is better allowing the stand to search for the best signal but is there much difference?

M

 

[zac]

Thank you Zac. And may I ask did you get another email saying it was actually shipped?

Mark

As others have said yes they emailed when shipped. Delivery was very quick.

 

[David Bradley]

Thanks all, it looks like it should be here before I plan to set off on my next trip which is what prompted me to order it in the first place.

I am deliberating over a flat permanent roof mount or using the stand it comes with. I assume the signal is better allowing the stand to search for the best signal but is there much difference?

M

For me , it was all about practicality. i prefer being able to put the dish further away from the motorhome and out of the shade of trees (during hot weather). If it was glued to the roof we’d have had no signal on a lot of our stops this summer.

 

[Gromett]

For me , it was all about practicality. i prefer being able to put the dish further away from the motorhome and out of the shade of trees (during hot weather). If it was glued to the roof we’d have had no signal on a lot of our stops this summer.

I think having the 4 bolts on the roof and wingnuts is the very best solution. You can put it up on the roof so it is out of reach of vandals and thieves and then when it is safe or somewhere you can keep an eye on it you can put it away from the van.
Also saves hacking the poor thing to death as well.

 

[Bustup15]

Intermittent signal last night for the first time. Unable to get dishy in a position to avoid trees and also parked partially under a metal frame on a stopover at top end of Lake Como. That prevented locating on the roof as normal.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MisterB]

I joined the fix and forget force (FaFF) a long time ago, so when time allows I will be hacking one of mine for a permanent roof flat mount fix.

I did the Overlanders 12v soldered hack quite some time ago but decided to change it all yesterday (the day before we left for Holland or at least that was the plan) managed to finish it last night and checked all the connections for continuity and integrity, but haven't actually tested it to work with Dishy yet.
Will do that sometime this week.
Basically I just changed the wires I had used to make the connections, it will be interesting to see if they are sufficient or not ...
If course it won't be left unattended all connected up just in case!

 

[faraway]

I like my simple solution. Have an extendable pole (one I had) and a pole adapter from Starlink. I extend the pole with Dish on top and attach pole to back ladder with tie wraps. About 5 minutes set up and two minutes to take down.

 

[olley]

Mines now ready to fit on the roof, I wanted if possible to keep it as near standard as I was able to, so no cutting open and removing the pole apart from the a hole to disconnect the pole motor.
So I made a box to give me the height so that the pole can stay on, also gives me the option at some point in the future to stick it back on its tripod mount.

 

[zac]

Mines now ready to fit on the roof, I wanted if possible to keep it as near standard as I was able to, so no cutting open and removing the pole apart from the a hole to disconnect the pole motor.
So I made a box to give me the height so that the pole can stay on, also gives me the option at some point in the future to stick it back on its tripod mount.
View attachment 810560

The dish should sit pretty flush in that 3d printed enclosure if its the everlanders one. The picture is not that clear but it doesn't look flush. It may just be the picture quality though.

 

[olley]

It's sitting on foam draft strip so no it's not flush.
When I fit it, it will be held down by a wire so a bit more flush.
Again the idea is to make it easily removable.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[coopc]

Personally got me plonking it on the roof

Mines now ready to fit on the roof, I wanted if possible to keep it as near standard as I was able to, so no cutting open and removing the pole apart from the a hole to disconnect the pole motor.
So I made a box to give me the height so that the pole can stay on, also gives me the option at some point in the future to stick it back on its tripod mount.
View attachment 810560

could you post a pic of the hole made to disconnect to movement

 

[olley]

I watched some YouTube vids and got rough measurements from them.
Their are supports in the second pic which I cut into, I then used a small grinder to flatten the underside so the grommet would fit properly.
In hindsight I should have drilled a smaller hole.

 

[coopc]

I watched some YouTube vids and got rough measurements from them.
Their are supports in the second pic which I cut into, I then used a small grinder to flatten the underside so the grommet would fit properly.
In hindsight I should have drilled a smaller hole.
View attachment 810618View attachment 810619View attachment 810620

That great. Thank you

 

[Threeracers]

I like my simple solution. Have an extendable pole (one I had) and a pole adapter from Starlink. I extend the pole with Dish on top and attach pole to back ladder with tie wraps. About 5 minutes set up and two minutes to take down.

I think this is the route I am going to take. A choice made easier by some rather substantial radio mast mounting points on each of the four corners of my Bedford, which began life as a Ptarmigan signals truck many moons ago.

M

 

[Revolvor]

I think this is the route I am going to take. A choice made easier by some rather substantial radio mast mounting points on each of the four corners of my Bedford, which began life as a Ptarmigan signals truck many moons ago.

M

I was pipped at the post on an eBay auction (winning the bid till last second) for a 6 wheeler vehicle fitted with an enormous telescopic aerial! That would have been ideal for Starlink!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}