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Topic: Starlink internet for RVs now live!  (Read 797 times) previous topic - next topic
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Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Announced today:

Starlink

WORK AND PLAY AT REMOTE LOCATIONS
Starlink for RVs is ideal for customers travelling to locations where connectivity has been unreliable or completely unavailable.
Users can expect high speed, low latency internet in areas marked "Available", and notably slower speeds during hours of peak usage in areas marked as "Waitlist" or during events with many collocated users.

Starlink for RVs is not designed for use while in motion.

Gee, I could work at Jalama …. But do I really want to do that?! 😳
Daryl 
2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
  (previously 2006 23.5’ front lounge)
SKP #145689
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #1 –
more from startlink web site .... for now we cannot change the service type though, here is the link but not sure if this link will work Help Center I will simply cut and paste. You will get the just even with cut and paste you may not follow the link. If you are patient, waiting may make it little easier with a phone working directly with setellite and charge by solar .... i read about trials somewhere in asian country

What is Starlink for RVs?
Immediate access to high-speed, low-latency internet on an as-needed basis at any destination where Starlink provides active coverage. The service can be paused or un-paused at anytime. At this time, there is no waitlist - all orders will be shipped shortly after the order is placed. However, supply is subject to network and equipment availability.

We do not support Starlink use in motion at this time.
To read more on the limitations on Starlink for RVs, click here.
Related questions:

How is Starlink for RVs different than the Portability feature?

How do I order Starlink for RVs?

Can I add additional service locations or Starlinks to my account?

Where can I get service when using Starlink for RVs or Portability?

How does billing work with Starlink for RVs?

How does Pause service work with Starlink for RVs?

Did this answer your question?
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #2 –
I ordered a Starlink for RVs the day of this post, it arrived last Saturday, just got last night.

Was trivial to setup

Download the Starlink app
Place the antenna in the open
Plug the antenna into the modem/router
Plug the router into a 120 socket (does not have a DC adaptor)
Connect to STARLINK network
Bring up the app
Name your network and setup a password
The antenna then swivels and tilts for the best signal.
Was connected by up in less than five minutes

Getting 200mbps in San Mateo.   Using it for this post.

Will take it to Big Sur this weekend, see how useable it is there.


Dave

2017 TK
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #3 –
God bless Elon Musk (Tesla owner here besides
my LD ;) )
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #4 –
Wow, Dave, that sounds pretty slick… very tempting!!   For not only traveling but at home in SF as a backup to comcast when I’m working remotely.   Would be nice to not have to rely on hoping for a usable Verizon signal 😁
Daryl 
2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
  (previously 2006 23.5’ front lounge)
SKP #145689
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #5 –
What sold me was it’s just as expensive, hardware wise, as a cell booster, but actually provides usable internet anywhere in the lower 48.    Wish it worked in Alaska too.

Best part is you can pause service when not traveling.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #6 –
how many watts does it use?
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
 
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #7 –
color me an old man.....
(sigh) in my world I love to look to the sky to see stars and space.   Lots and lots of dark bright space.   IMHO there is already too much human made junk in space we don't need anymore.
Guess I'm becoming more and more like my parents - 'kids today have no idea what they are losing'.

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #8 –
Glen,
You can put me in the same boat. I enjoy taking pictures of the night sky (I guess you would call me an astrophotographer). Two nights ago, on one of the very few reasonably clear nights we have in Georgia, especially in the summer, I was imaging M106, a galaxy near the big dipper. I haven't done the processing of the images yet (probably today), but of the 70 images taken, around 25% have satellite trails. While I was watching the images being downloaded from the camera, I remember one  2 minute image with 3 trails. Two of those trails were parallel, which is characteristic (but not definitive) of the Star link satellites.  However, since I have and a precise location and a time within 2 minutes, it shouldn't be hard to figure out if they were star link. SIGH (that's a big sigh, ;)

Ken (not everyone is excited about what Elon is doing, including the professional astronomers)
Former 2009 MB owner
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #10 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
color me an old man.....
(sigh) in my world I love to look to the sky to see stars and space.   Lots and lots of dark bright space.   IMHO there is already too much human made junk in space we don't need anymore.
Guess I'm becoming more and more like my parents - 'kids today have no idea what they are losing'.

glen

I’m sure those fighting in Ukraine would completely disagree as the Starlinks that have been donated hage been crucial for their communications. I don’t think any LD owners especially take for granted the beauty of the skies.
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #11 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
color me an old man....
Guess I'm becoming more and more like my parents - 'kids today have no idea what they are losing'.

Glen, you need a visit from Dr. Rick. 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RednLQ-4VE
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Dave Katleman  - 
What sold me was it’s just as expensive, hardware wise, as a cell booster, but actually provides usable internet anywhere in the lower 48.    Wish it worked in Alaska too.

Best part is you can pause service when not traveling.
Good point— those cell boosters aren’t cheap!
Daryl 
2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
  (previously 2006 23.5’ front lounge)
SKP #145689
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #13 –
Quote from: LazDazGuy  - 
Good point— those cell boosters aren’t cheap!

D.
To use Starlink for your job is going to require  a substantial upgrade of your LD’s electrical system. Along with your computers, Starlink uses quite a bit of power, many times more than a  cellular amplifier.
You also require a continuous connection, a few seconds where the satellite signal drops will not make your client happy since you work in real time.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #14 –
sorry if tmobile home internet is discussed here ...

gone through two sets of starlink harware one with portabiiity and other one with RV service. data rate varies from 150+ GB to no service and lately more no serice (after switching to RV subscription).

got t-mobile home internet service. works great at home close to 130+GB download and 50+ GB upload. Going to RV trip on Sunday and of course tmobile hardware is going with me. in case of negative experience i will update otherwise I see 50/month compared to 135/month, no hardware cost and much better customer service from tmobile (with starlink i could not find any telephone or email contact which works). In both the cases Starlink refunded 100% of hardware cost and paid for shipping it back but once they start charging $135 there is no way to argue for wrong charges. just fyi ... oh one more difference i can use tmobile while rv is moving (at least in theory, it works same way as cell phone) and no setup is needed at each stop.

an article about tmobile service i mentioned here </title><path d="M15 5L5 15" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round"...

as for power it is advertise 2amp at 12V but at home I did not pay attention to power consumption (you can connect 12 or 120V) but in rv i will be paying mor attention to power consumption with the data use. for home use internal antenna is good enough will find out the need of external antenna once on the road.
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #15 –
Quick update on my six nights so far with Starlink

Two nights were at sites that were heavily forested, no service as expected.
One night with lots of trees, but maybe 1/4 open sky, intermittent service, enough to check email and light browsing

Three nights clear sky, no obstruction, connected all night long
      Cold Springs Station, NV
      Angel Lake, NV
      Afton, WY

Afton was throttled down to 8 mbps, due to congestion, until 10pm, when it was back at 150+, it’s still well above 130 as I type this at 6am.

So far I’m fine with the service, but the true test will be in a congested area like Grand Teton/Yellowstone over the next week.   I’ll be happy with 5 mbps in Yellowstone as it’s better than nothing which is what past trips had.   What I bought it for are the truly remote locations, like the two locations in Nevada.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #17 –
She doesn't actually have Starlink, so she's not speaking from firsthand experience. But she has done a bunch of research--both on Starlink's websites and by reading users' comments--and she presents some really useful information about the "Starlink RV" tier, which is their lowest in terms of service. You could say she's a little on the skeptical side, but at this very early stage of the game, a little skepticism is not a bad thing. She ends by saying that Starlink is great for some people, but not for her. Fair enough.

She goes on to describe the unlimited cellular internet service she uses now--Nomad--which she is very happy with and which sounds pretty good. (Especially the part about excellent customer service!) She offers some useful tips for signing up with them, should you choose to do so, and has a $25-off coupon code for new Nomad customers.

(In a nutshell: $74 to join plus $140/month for unlimited data, and you can choose a provider--Verizon or AT&T. You get a choice of cellular routers, and there's no equipment cost--they're lending it to you.)

All in all, this video is good information and well worth watching. Thanks for posting it, Martha!
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #18 –
Thanks Martha, and Andy.  With 400 AH of LIF battery, I can entertain such an option. Especially since it can be used at home when I'm not traveling. A competitive price alternative to my cable company. I store the LD in the driveway, and a router is within easy reach. The bumper is 3" from the house.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #19 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Thanks Martha, and Andy.  With 400 AH of LIF battery, I can entertain such an option. Especially since it can be used at home when I'm not traveling. A competitive price alternative to my cable company.

Based on my usage, 400 AH is plenty.

However, currently Starlink for RVs isn’t a good option for home usage, unless your home is in the middle of nowhere, as you have lesser priority vs non mobile users, you’ll see a lot of throttling.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #20 –
"you have lesser priority vs non mobile users, you’ll see a lot of throttling."

Yes, that's one of the main points she makes: Starlink says that of their five tiers (business, premium, home, portable, and RV), the RV service gets last priority--everybody else comes first. In practical terms, they say that you may see data rates as low as 5 megabits per second. That's almost unusable for anything beyond short emails.

I'm not saying not to get Starlink, and neither is she. (She is actually on their waiting list--keeping her options open.) But she does offer information about the service's bandwidth and local availability that I haven't seen elsewhere. It's well worth watching.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #21 –
We got an “RV” starlink (just means lower priority and higher monthly cost - equipment is the same).

Shipped quick (I think a couple days to get to the shipping company and less than a week in the mail), faster than the 1-2 weeks to ship that we were told at order time.

We have only been using it a couple weeks -
both in a city and more rural.
The locations (city and rural) are where cellphone data is slow (rare to get above 12mps, dropping to 6mps regularly is common).

Both locations were in “waitlisted for starlink” areas (eg they don’t have a lot of extra “bandwidth” for new customers).

With the starlink,I have gotten 75mbs sometimes and sometimes 10mbs, but mostly I get very usable speeds somewhere in the middle.  Non problem streaming a movie while also doing email and web browsing work.  Both locations in places cell data is not so great.
Upload is still slow (maybe 5mps) but so was cellular (maybe 3mps).

Oh, and the current location is in a forest - in a location with some clear sky but wide open skies in the desert.  The starlink app has you take a picture of the sky and suggested we should find a better location.  I had the phone about 6’ off the ground using the app and the starlink is on the LD roof.  Maybe half the sky is blocked with trees and only the center of a circle is clear - we are on the southern side of that circle and starlink satellites are to the north.

We knew we were going to be in “difficult to get cell service” locations and I am very pleased with how starlink is doing.

Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #23 –
I wanted to have bit more experience with T-Mobile home internet before writing more … I had issue with starlink performance and absence of live help or a way to send a msg triggered me to send back my equipment. I expected more when I am paying around  $130/month.

I also have issue with being a second class citizen with h2o and visible and I end up getting T-Mobile lines for both of us and being 55+ help with the price. It came with netflix which also saved some money and with two lines home internet is $30 instead of $50. Bottom line I am paying about the same as h20/visible + home internet to two different company to now T-Mobile. Telephone service we are happy and are planning South America trip and I expect it to work better then what we had before. As for home internet it is working everywhere we go except for Montreal few weeks ago. At this point we are in Maine state park campground and though phone is showing only one bar home internet is strong enough to stream YouTube and netflix. I am anxious to see if it works in NS Canada but if not we have 40 G bites of hot spot in each line. Setup compared to starlink and power consumption is favorable and we used home internet while rv is moving without any issue.

Just one person’s view of T-Mobile home internet experience at home and in RV.

Regards


Quote from: Muhammad  - 
sorry if tmobile home internet is discussed here ...

gone through two sets of starlink harware one with portabiiity and other one with RV service. data rate varies from 150+ GB to no service and lately more no serice (after switching to RV subscription).

got t-mobile home internet service. works great at home close to 130+GB download and 50+ GB upload. Going to RV trip on Sunday and of course tmobile hardware is going with me. in case of negative experience i will update otherwise I see 50/month compared to 135/month, no hardware cost and much better customer service from tmobile (with starlink i could not find any telephone or email contact which works). In both the cases Starlink refunded 100% of hardware cost and paid for shipping it back but once they start charging $135 there is no way to argue for wrong charges. just fyi ... oh one more difference i can use tmobile while rv is moving (at least in theory, it works same way as cell phone) and no setup is needed at each stop.

an article about tmobile service i mentioned here </title><path d="M15 5L5 15" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round"...

as for power it is advertise 2amp at 12V but at home I did not pay attention to power consumption (you can connect 12 or 120V) but in rv i will be paying mor attention to power consumption with the data use. for home use internal antenna is good enough will find out the need of external antenna once on the road.
Re: Starlink internet for RVs now live!
Reply #24 –
I’ve been using StarLink for the past six weeks, generally when there isn’t a decent cell signal, which has been five out of the six weeks in Wyoming, Idaho and Washington.

Trees have been the primary obstacle to constant internet, but even when I see obstacle interrupts every 30-45 seconds, the speed is decent enough for downloads, web browsing and texting, which is why I got it, for locations with zero cell signal.  I have experienced throttling in places like Grand Teton and Yellowstone, but that’s because there are lots of other StarLink users, so instead of 100+ Mbps, I’ll get about 10 until about 10pm, still plenty for communication and light web research.

Have not attached the dish to the RV nor do I find mounting it to be a good idea, far more flexible to set it in a clearing away from the RV.  I’ve ordered a new 150’ cable to extend out further than the 75’ cable it ships with, relegating the original to a backup.

I have been able to Zoom or FaceTime in locations with clear views of the north sky.

For my use case in the wilderness of the west, it’s perfect.
Dave

2017 TK