Starlink

[lostcreekranch]

Yes, they make an adapter for that:

Starlink

I'm debating whether to get that and mount to the old (no longer used) DirecTV dish mount that's already on my roof or just get the roof plate (Starlink) and mount it that way. The DirecTV post is in a great spot and I wouldn't have to drill but it is exactly on the opposite side of the house from where the router/control will be so I may have cable length and routing issues.

Rob

I need to use the Starlink app to find best antenna location.

My Excede dish is on the SW corner of ranch house which is perfect .. since it's right beside the office for modem / wi-fi.

 

[riptides]

Can the antenna be "pole mounted" like our present Excede Dish?

Our roof is standing seam metal and I'm not inclined to make any additional penetrations in it.

The pole mounting for certain users is introducing jitter. Guide wires seem to cure that. And from what I am hearing, roof mounting is still being refined.

I am in the same boat with standing seams roofing. And I really don't want a dish in the yard.

 

[BigBlue1]

I need to use the Starlink app to find best antenna location.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHA!!!! Good luck with that!

 

[BigBlue1]

The pole mounting for certain users is introducing jitter. Guide wires seem to cure that. And from what I am hearing, roof mounting is still being refined.

I am in the same boat with standing seams roofing. And I really don't want a dish in the yard.

Because the pole mount isn't solid enough? I mean, are we talking about a flagpole type setup or just a short pole like a DirecTV mount? I can see a tall setup like a flagpole or normal antenna mount being a problem with the dish and wind and movement.

Why would roof mounting have issues? Solid plate attached to an fixed object with full view of the sky. Got to be better than sitting on the lawn.

Rob

 

[riptides]

Because the pole mount isn't solid enough? I mean, are we talking about a flagpole type setup or just a short pole like a DirecTV mount? I can see a tall setup like a flagpole or normal antenna mount being a problem with the dish and wind and movement.

Why would roof mounting have issues? Solid plate attached to an fixed object with full view of the sky. Got to be better than sitting on the lawn.

Rob

For the pole mount roof jitter issues, it was noted as just that. Perhaps the beta-tester lives in a windy area. His before and after pics introduced guide wires which solved his issue.

The roof mounting system, the one I have seen sits on the ridgeline and required weighted material to hold it in place. But I don't think it will work on my house as the ridge vent is not flush with the sheet panels.

That leads me back to drilling holes in my roof.

 

[BigBlue1]

For the pole mount roof jitter issues, it was noted as just that. Perhaps the beta-tester lives in a windy area. His before and after pics introduced guide wires which solved his issue.

The roof mounting system, the one I have seen sits on the ridgeline and required weighted material to hold it in place. But I don't think it will work on my house as the ridge vent is not flush with the sheet panels.

That leads me back to drilling holes in my roof.

I haven't seen the ridge mount one. The one I saw is their mounting plate that looks like it can go on any flat location. Yes, it would require holes. I'm sure you'll find a suitable situation that meets your needs.

Starlink

 

[ponytug]

From what I have read over on Reddit, I think that the dimensions on the Starlink pole are metric pipe diameters and they are close, but not quite a match for US pipe ID. There is some variance due to what schedule pipe is being used, and manufacturing tolerances. A shim should get you there.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ponytug]

And now a "Well phooey!" moment.

I received an email this morning from Starlink telling me that I was eligible for ordering. Yay! I jumped on the Starlink website, which informed me that Starlink was not yet available in my area. Crushed. :bawling:

Back to waiting for an exit from slow and unstable DSL. Tick, tock...

Phooey!

All the best,

Peter

 

[lostcreekranch]

From what I have read over on Reddit, I think that the dimensions on the Starlink pole are metric pipe diameters and they are close, but not quite a match for US pipe ID. There is some variance due to what schedule pipe is being used, and manufacturing tolerances. A shim should get you there.

All the best,

Peter

So .. what size pipe do they specify?

 

[BigBlue1]

From what I have read over on Reddit, I think that the dimensions on the Starlink pole are metric pipe diameters and they are close, but not quite a match for US pipe ID. There is some variance due to what schedule pipe is being used, and manufacturing tolerances. A shim should get you there.

All the best,

Peter

The Starlink pipe adapter I linked to previously is basically a universal fit. I'm sure many other solutions can substitute, but it is there for you if you spend $25.

 

[BigBlue1]

And now a "Well phooey!" moment.

I received an email this morning from Starlink telling me that I was eligible for ordering. Yay! I jumped on the Starlink website, which informed me that Starlink was not yet available in my area. Crushed. :bawling:

Back to waiting for an exit from slow and unstable DSL. Tick, tock...

Phooey!

All the best,

Peter

Did you use the exact same address in the sign-up search as you used when registering for the beta? If so, then you probably didn't get in fast enough and other folks nabbed the limited number of available slots in your area.

 

[ponytug]

Did you use the exact same address in the sign-up search as you used when registering for the beta? If so, then you probably didn't get in fast enough and other folks nabbed the limited number of available slots in your area.

I did. The message said not available yet, not that they had run out of slots. I had preordered as well, so I did rather expect a message that said "Pay the balance", rather than order now.

I was on the website within a few minutes of the email, but not instantly so I guess it is possible that I missed "the window".

Here is the message;

Starlink is now available for order to a limited number of users in your coverage area. Placing your order now will hold your place in line for future service. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.​

So it sounded like a beta invite.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ponytug]

So .. what size pipe do they specify?

Here are a couple of links;
Starlink dimension summary
Photos with digital caliper

All the best,

Peter

 

[ernemats]

I did. The message said not available yet, not that they had run out of slots. I had preordered as well, so I did rather expect a message that said "Pay the balance", rather than order now.

I was on the website within a few minutes of the email, but not instantly so I guess it is possible that I missed "the window".

Here is the message;

Starlink is now available for order to a limited number of users in your coverage area. Placing your order now will hold your place in line for future service. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.​

So it sounded like a beta invite.

All the best,

Peter

my son got the same message Wednesday from Starlink. I have already put the $99. down so I guess I don't get that message

 

[ponytug]

my son got the same message Wednesday from Starlink. I have already put the $99. down so I guess I don't get that message

I had already put the $99 down, which is what had me so excited.

Sigh.

 

[John_Mc]

Can the antenna be "pole mounted" like our present Excede Dish?

Our roof is standing seam metal and I'm not inclined to make any additional penetrations in it.

Yes, they sell a pole mount adapter for it.

They do not yet sell a standing seam mount, but it is not necessary to make any penetrations in your standing seam roof to mount it. Just use S-5! clamps to clamp a mount on to the seams. If they don't have their own standing seam mount out by late spring/summer when I'm ready to put mine up on our standing seam roof, I'm going to make my own mount. I'll use a couple of box tubes to span 3 seams or so and use the S-5! clamps to mount them to the seams. I'll bolt one of their "Volcano roof mounts" to the box tubes, and put the dish in the receptacle on the volcano mount.

I've installed hundreds of S-5! clamps when I worked for a solar PV installer a few years back. They are designed exactly for this sort of thing and do not damage the roof.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yes, they sell a pole mount adapter for it.

They do not yet sell a standing seam mount, but it is not necessary to make any penetrations in your standing seam roof to mount it. Just use S-5! clamps to clamp a mount on to the seams. If they don't have their own standing seam mount out by late spring/summer when I'm ready to put mine up on our standing seam roof, I'm going to make my own mount. I'll use a couple of box tubes to span 3 seams or so and use the S-5! clamps to mount then to the seams. I'll bolt one of their "Volcano roof mounts" to the box tubes, and put the dish in the receptacle on the volcano mount.

I've installed hundreds of S-5! clamps when I worked for a solar PV installer a few years back. They are designed exactly for this sort of thing and do not damage the roof.

Thanks for the info John. I've got to do my "advance homework" to see where the antenna would get best "view" of the satellites .. then .. make a plan.

I'd not previously considered the clamps .. good idea. I'm just not adding any penetrations to roof. The only leaks we experienced .. during Hurricane Harvey .. was around the roof vents for 2 tankless water heaters and the heat side of 3 HVAC units.

 

[BigBlue1]

I did. The message said not available yet, not that they had run out of slots. I had preordered as well, so I did rather expect a message that said "Pay the balance", rather than order now.

I was on the website within a few minutes of the email, but not instantly so I guess it is possible that I missed "the window".

Here is the message;

Starlink is now available for order to a limited number of users in your coverage area. Placing your order now will hold your place in line for future service. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.​

So it sounded like a beta invite.

All the best,

Peter

Quite different than the e-mail I received. I had previously just signed up to be notified 'if beta testing opportunities become available in your area'. On 2/9 I received:

Starlink is now available in limited supply in your service area.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.

As we launch more satellites, install more ground stations and improve our networking software, data speed, latency and uptime will improve dramatically. For latency, we expect to achieve 16ms to 19ms by summer 2021.
To check availability for your location, visit Starlink.com and re-enter your email and service address. If available, you will be immediately redirected to the Starlink order page.

Availability is limited so orders must be completed within 15 minutes of landing on the order page. If you are not able to order at this time, the Starlink team will continue to send updates as more capacity becomes available.

Thank you for your interest in Starlink and your continued support!

Surprisingly, it remained available through 2/16 when I finally ordered it. I had checked multiple times during that period as I was considering, postponing and then reconsidering. When I did order on 2/16 it was for full price of equipment, shipping and tax.

Rob

 

[ponytug]

Quite different than the e-mail I received. I had previously just signed up to be notified 'if beta testing opportunities become available in your area'. On 2/9 I received:

Surprisingly, it remained available through 2/16 when I finally ordered it. I had checked multiple times during that period as I was considering, postponing and then reconsidering. When I did order on 2/16 it was for full price of equipment, shipping and tax.

Rob

Many congratulations!

Thanks for sharing the actual text.

I am beginning to think that the email that I was sent was some sort of email blast left over from an early email list. Got my hopes up though!

All the best,

Peter

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks for the info John. I've got to do my "advance homework" to see where the antenna would get best "view" of the satellites .. then .. make a plan.

I'd not previously considered the clamps .. good idea. I'm just not adding any penetrations to roof. The only leaks we experienced .. during Hurricane Harvey .. was around the roof vents for 2 tankless water heaters and the heat side of 3 HVAC units.

Good idea. I'm making a plan on what trees im going to cut out, i have a few 100' firs that might have to go and i already have loads of firewood from the 100+ maple. I'm thinking/hoping i can put it on the corner of my deck, up on a short post or something. I don't think a roof install will work, as it's too close to the trees.