StarLink March 31, 2024, 07:30:33 pm I just searched Starlink and the latest posts I found were from 2022. I had satellite TV with King Quest which worked pretty well in the west but in the east there always seemed to be many trees or objects that blocked the satellite reception. I cancelled Direct TV that I had been using with the King Quest. I am camping with people now who are raving about Starlink, mainly for the internet. They told me that I could stream TV shows with Starlink. I'm wondering how that would work. Does one have to pay extra to stream TV shows? What has been people's experience with Starlink and RVing? I like the idea of having internet, but I also want to have TV. I am told that one can pause Starlink. I was also told I could use it at home and the RV. If that is the case I could cancel my current internet provider. I would appreciate hearing about your experiences with Starlink.Monica2017 Mid-Bath
Re: StarLink Reply #1 – March 31, 2024, 09:45:08 pm I’ve had StarLink since spring of 2022, used it all last summer in Alaska, and I’m using it now on my way east to Newfoundland.I like staying in remote locations without cell signal, which is where StarLink excels. If there is decent cell coverage at the campsite, I don’t bother to set it up. Yes you can pause it when not in use, which I did for six months this past winter.Out of the box, still runs off 120V, which doesn’t bother me with my whole RV always on inverter, but there are 3rd party kits to run it off 12v DC.The dish needs a somewhat unobstructed view to the north. I bought an extra 150’ cable to get out from under trees if need be.As to watching TV, I can stream anything I can at home. If you still have the stock factory TV, you’ll need a Chromecast/Roku/etc HDMI stick to “smarten up” the TV. 2 Likes
Re: StarLink Reply #2 – April 02, 2024, 12:33:41 am We have used Starlink almost as long as Dave.If you are in a heavily wooded area you might have trouble (eg forest in BC Canada with 100’ plus trees, it worked we just had to get picky about parking locations).We have not had any service for almost 20 years.We watch shows on places like cbs.com or Amazon and just continued to do so on the RV.A couple gotchas, Starlink knows country you bought it and that is the country it tells programs you are in (even if you were elsewhere). A VPN program can make you appear as if you are in whatever country you choose (rather than the one you bought the Starlink in).Some apps/devices might have problems with this - starlink Facebook groups list ones that won’t work in different countries even with a VPN.Starlink keeps sales separated by country. So if you are in a different country and report a problem, their bot often automatically send you replacement parts but to the address you have on your starlink account. They can sometimes reroute the item but it has to be in the country where you purchased the starlink.Get a second cord (from dish to router) as the weak spot and what break most. 3 Likes
Re: StarLink Reply #3 – April 02, 2024, 02:14:53 pm To answer the OP's original questions and more.Yes, streaming is as easy as using the internet at home. The charge is $120 a month for stationary use and $150 for mobile (RV) use. Service can be turned off and is sold in one-month allotments, nice for part-time travel.The modern has a good range with a 200"+ range, good for when traveling with friends.Our inverter draws 10 amps to run the StarLink, which may be as good a way of powering it as switching to a 12-volt setup. Powering it on 12 volts requires a 12-48-volt DC-DC converter and a 12-volt modern, there may be no power savings using 12-volts power it.The biggest issue is deploying the antenna. Positioning it on the ground is an invitation to steal it. Placing it on the roof is more secure but a pain to do and somewhat dangerous since it requires using the ladder and lifting or carrying the antenna up to the roof, an awkward procedure. Using a flagpole has the same issues. Stay tuned for future ideas..Too bad the flat, high-performance antenna cost so much, a permanent mount would be preferableLarry
Re: StarLink Reply #4 – April 02, 2024, 03:28:35 pm "a permanent mount would be preferable"Unless you park under trees. :-) As with solar panels, a permanent roof mount is convenient, but has its limitations.
Re: StarLink Reply #5 – April 02, 2024, 03:50:24 pm I’ve been deploying the dish on the ground since 2022, not worried about theft. But then if I’m closer to an urban environment with strong cell coverage, I don’t even setup StarLink.You see countless posts worrying about theft, yet a google doesn’t turn up complaints about actual dish thefts. Doesn’t mean it cannot happen, for now it’s not a target.I’m not a fan of flat or flag pole mounting, as both limit your use at tree covered campsites. Stayed at more than my share of beautiful tree cover campsites, like this outside of Ketchikan AK, and could still get StarLink by setting up the dish in the open. 5 Likes
Re: StarLink Reply #6 – April 13, 2024, 07:23:27 pm Thank you for all your responses to my StarLink question. There is a lot to consider and process. Sorry for the delay in replying. I didn't have internet for a time while camping.Monica2017 Mid-Bath
Re: StarLink Reply #7 – April 13, 2024, 11:33:01 pm We had a tire blow out in a part of Baja Mexico where we could not get cell reception for about 70 miles. We deployed our Starlink and were able to contact by phone Baja Bound our insurer who contacted road assistance who came 100 miles to fix our flat and get us going. Most of the time in the US we have had some kind of Cell service most everywhere? But after this situation I think Starlink saved us a lot Time! Maybe some one would have had stopped? But actually we waited for the service for three hours with three Triangles deployed and hood up and Nobody stopped! Good thing our service provider did show Otherwise Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA 5 Likes
Re: StarLink Reply #8 – July 25, 2024, 01:55:49 pm A friend pointed out this video about Starlink Mini. I found it to be a very good review of the purchase cost, setup, power consumption, and real-world data speeds (including while in motion). I'm not yet ready to sign up, but the Mini is definitely pushing me in that direction. 1 Likes
Re: StarLink Reply #9 – July 25, 2024, 05:44:50 pm Nice review!Would love the smaller size and ditching the base on my Gen 2 but I do love the auto configuration once I place it on the ground. App assisted aiming doesn’t sound like fun.I’ve been getting a reliable 150Mbps here in Newfoundland.
Re: StarLink Reply #10 – July 25, 2024, 06:33:42 pm "App assisted aiming doesn’t sound like fun."Ever used HughesNet? ;-) Now, that was NOT fun. Supercritical aiming, and all they gave you to help was a tiny, dim LCD display the size of a postage stamp. But if you watched the last part of this guy's video, where he was driving around, you saw him getting up to 123 Mbps even though the antenna was pointed 90° from where the app said it should be. Aiming doesn't seem to be all that critical with the Mini.
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