Starlink

[JRH02]

I also received the Starlink Mini offer. I'm considering it for the purpose of setting up a remote PTZ (point, tilt, zoom) camera on one of my barns. It's on top of a hill with a clear view of my property, as well as the valley below. I'm not sure if the 500K standby mode speed would be sufficient to operate the camera 24/7 though.

The $5/mo standby mode cost would be cheaper than using a cellular enabled camera or trying to rig a range extender for my home WiFi.

I've pondered the same thing but the MINI would need to be powered with a battery and solar panel - if I could find the right, hidden spot to put the stuff so it wouldn't be stolen or vandalized. And, yeah, on my own land sigh.

Please keep us updated if you try this out.

BTW, if someone steals a MINI, I wonder how that works if someone thinks they might put it in service in a different account?

 

[civilian]

But if the mini is stolen, what stops it from being used as it is? Just a question. We have fiber but just read along on this thread. Jon

 

[kf4uda]

What I searched and found:

• If someone tries to activate that Mini on a different account, Starlink’s system will see that the hardware is already assigned and either block activation or require a proper transfer from the original account holder

In practice, thieves often find that stolen hardware is basically a brick for new service once the original owner has reported it.

 

[bdhsfz6]

But if the mini is stolen, what stops it from being used as it is? Just a question. We have fiber but just read along on this thread. Jon

The thief would have to know the password to connect any of their equipment to the router. The password is printed on some Starlink routers, but most likely changed by the original owner.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

When I sold a Starlink unit, I had to go thru a process in order for next person to register it.

 

[Dawg in Fl]

But if the mini is stolen, what stops it from being used as it is? Just a question. We have fiber but just read along on this thread. Jon

I'm also following this thread - we're going to build a small pavillion; fiber optic is about 4,500 away and will cost $1.00 per foot. Not sure which route to go. Have about 9 - 12 months to decide.

 

[ning]

I'm also following this thread - we're going to build a small pavillion; fiber optic is about 4,500 away and will cost $1.00 per foot. Not sure which route to go. Have about 9 - 12 months to decide.

Directed antenna wifi, if you have anything remotely like line-of-sight. $4500+ can pay for a lot of equipment.

That said, if you can trench, 4500' of fiber optic cable is a bit over $1k... though conduit for that is another couple $k and then there's trenching. I'd go with one or more wifi hops, with small solar charged battery setups powering in-between hops if you have to have more than one wifi segment.

 

[Fallon]

Directed antenna wifi, if you have anything remotely like line-of-sight. $4500+ can pay for a lot of equipment.

That said, if you can trench, 4500' of fiber optic cable is a bit over $1k... though conduit for that is another couple $k and then there's trenching. I'd go with one or more wifi hops, with small solar charged battery setups powering in-between hops if you have to have more than one wifi segment.

4500' is easy to do with wireless if you have unobstructed line of sight. You just need the right antennas & gear. May need towers to get the line of sight. Ubiquiti has some long range wireless bridges for $300 each. Others likely have similar options, possibly for cheaper.

Trenching isn't cheap at all, especially if you don't own a trencher or hoe of some sort. It usually costs a couple of bucks a foot.

 

[JRH02]

Trenching isn't cheap at all, especially if you don't own a trencher or hoe of some sort. It usually costs a couple of bucks a foot.

And it helps if you don't have 6-12"+ stones and 600#+ boulders every few feet.

 

[BigBlue1]

I'm also following this thread - we're going to build a small pavillion; fiber optic is about 4,500 away and will cost $1.00 per foot. Not sure which route to go. Have about 9 - 12 months to decide.

Are you asking because you're considering between an ISP with fiber optic or going with Starlink? Or that you have an ISP connection already that is 4500 feet from where you want service?

For the former, Starlink is far, far cheaper and will provide excellent service as long as there is a clear view of the sky.

For the latter, look into "wireless bridge" devices. They are not that expensive and as long as you have clear line of sight between endpoints they can beam a wireless network several miles.