Update on StarLink

[James T Kirk]

Cancel direct TV.

I cancelled my ATT hotspot data plan. Thank god.

The other day in the marina I got 231mbps down 21mbps up. One of my speed tests resulted in over 500mbps down. It fluctuates.

 

[Rivergoer]

Starlink website doesn’t mention in-motion capability, is this strictly a stationary system at this point? How does the antenna aiming process compare to Dish or DirecTV?

 

[James T Kirk]

Starlink website doesn’t mention in-motion capability, is this strictly a stationary system at this point? How does the antenna aiming process compare to Dish or DirecTV?

I believe in-motion capability will be possible once the entire grid of satellites have been deployed.

The antenna aims itself based on your service location once power is supplied. I'd like to get a video of it moving around. It looks cool.

 

[Rainbowbridge]

Capt. Kirk, how often do you have to replace the Dilithium crystals?

 

[Dirty Chonies]

Thanks for the info Kirk

 

[ScottF]

How far North have you used the service successfully on the lake?

Last Fall we used Starlink as far as north as the main channel adjacent to Last Chance. Since then we've relocated our service address from Antelope Point Marina to Padre Bay and expect our northern access to improve. However, now that Starlink has turned on roaming there should be no need for anyone to change their service address.

 

[ScottF]

Do you guys know how many mbps the service you're getting is in the Marina and out on the lake? Best website to check this on is fast.com. We have our starlink dish on order. Wondering what our speeds are going to be this season if we can finally stream live TV and cancel directv

Last Fall we consistently got 100-125 mps at Antelope Point Marina and about 30-50 mps at Padre Bay. We expect to get the higher rates consistently now that roaming is enabled.

 

[Michael Pyle]

We read that you should stow the antenna when moving. Someone put one in a truck to test if it would track and it melted the motors that move the dish.

There is a stow feature in the app so we stow it before we leave the Marina. I assume in the summer heat it could be a problem.

We have had service up into last chance that worked well. Just have to be careful of the hills. The signal is lower on the horizon than you would expect.

We have the original round style dish.

Mike

 

[ScottF]

We read that you should stow the antenna when moving. Someone put one in a truck to test if it would track and it melted the motors that move the dish.

There is a stow feature in the app so we stow it before we leave the Marina. I assume in the summer heat it could be a problem.

We have had service up into last chance that worked well. Just have to be careful of the hills. The signal is lower on the horizon than you would expect.

We have the original round style dish.

Mike

We went from June through October this past year traveling around the lake without stowing Starlink. However, our unit is housed in a radar dome - don't know if that keeps it cooler it gets hotter. We will report back if we have a problem with our unit overheating.

 

[James T Kirk]

Speaking of roaming. This guy has done more in the adaptation of starlink for mobile use than I can possibly imagine:
Tuckstruck.net

Right now he's driving all over Nevada and California, 100's of miles from his service address and getting service no problem.

 

[ScottF]

Starlink website doesn’t mention in-motion capability, is this strictly a stationary system at this point? How does the antenna aiming process compare to Dish or DirecTV?

Starlink works flawlessly for us in-motion.

There is no manual antenna aiming - whatever is needed is done automatically.

 

[Lake Bum]

So if you've got internet on your Houseboat using Starlink, and you have a router, could you make a cellphone call using Wifi, even if you are out of cell service tucked into a canyon well out of site of Navajo mountain?

 

[ScottF]

Yes with Starlink you can make phone calls and send text messages. Previously, Starlink only provided service south of Last Chance but this has now been extended. There could be places on the lake without Starlink service but I'm not aware of any. You do need a good view of the sky.

Also, with Starlink and a router on your HB you can now install cameras and sensors of all types (temp, moisture, wind speed, etc.) with images and readings coming to your cell phone back home.

 

[Lake Bum]

Cool.....that is a game changer on camp location selection for lots of people!

 

[Ryan]

@ScottF so you are saying you don't need the "upcoming" mobile Starlink to use on the houseboat?

 

[ScottF]

@ScottF so you are saying you don't need the "upcoming" mobile Starlink to use on the houseboat?

If you can wait for the mobile Starlink I would do so. However…

I used Starlink all last season with near perfect reception while underway and as far north as last chance. My boat is a 70 foot cruiser with Gyro stabilizer about equivalent to a mid size houseboat in stability.