Influencer II
- 1,777
- First Name
- Derek
- Last Name
- Riehl
- Member #
-
28397
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6NUI
Couldn't find another dedicated Starlink thread, so please pull this if I missed, but it seems time to address this topic.
Let's start by recognizing that those of us in the US are quite privileged to live in a country where something like Starlink is even allowed and where the freedom to use it, or not, is a matter of individual choice. Let's also choose to ignore the inevitable trolls lamenting the demise of whatever it is they think Starlink and LEO based internet services destroy, and instead let their posts go by like a tree falling in the woods.
OK, on to the useful bits. First, if you are interested, there is this site: Starlink for Overlanders which is a treasure trove of useful info related to implementing Starlink for overlanding. The author seems quiite knowledgeable and competent and updates his findings fairly frequently as of this post (29-Apr-2022). Good place to start if you have a mind to do something like this.
Next, I'll fess up to being fairly incompetent and ignorant about most things, especially Starlink and the build I have in mind. It will be crap compared to what most others will likely do, but we have to start the conversation somewhere, and I'll gladly take the slings and arrows pointing out my errors and lack of mechanical ability.
I live in the Bay Area of CA and placed my initial Starlink order about a year ago (7-Apr-2021). Being in the midst of Geekville, USA I wasn't surprised to learn that Starlink estimated my earliest delivery at end-2022. They even sent an update at the beginning of 2022 saying they know it is taking a long time and that I was welcome to cancel and get my deposit back, but the target delivery date was still late 2022, early 2023.
So, I was surprised to get another email on 19-Apr-2022 saying my order was ready to confirm, and elated when my "toy box" arrived earlier this week. Here's what you get:
One cardboard box and associated packing material, one dish with long 8-wire lead to connect to included router, one shortish power cord that also connects to the router, and the following "documentation":
Behind the bits is my rig, a 2021 Ford F'n Ranger, with one Yakima Overhaul HD rack, where the dish will be mounted. The build will involve something like the following:
1) Hook the initially supplied bits up to make sure they work before I get to butchering them for the install.
2) Butcher the Starlink bits by shortening the 8-wire cord to a suitable length and cutting a hole into the back of the dish to disconnect the arm motor.
3) Build a minimally suitable tray and associated supports to mount the dish to the rack.
4) Test out the router to see if placing it inside the truck will work for campsite/trailer access or if I need to be prepared for moving it between truck and trailer.
5) Build one or more mounts for the router.
Costs so far:
1) Starlink bits shipped to house - $99 deposit plus $554.66, so $653.66
2) Agreement to pay $110/mo starting early May.
3) $17.73 for some T-bolts, nuts & washers that I hope will work with my Overhaul bars, else I may have to drill (earliest delivery of correct Yakima part is August-2022).
That's it for now, more to come!
Let's start by recognizing that those of us in the US are quite privileged to live in a country where something like Starlink is even allowed and where the freedom to use it, or not, is a matter of individual choice. Let's also choose to ignore the inevitable trolls lamenting the demise of whatever it is they think Starlink and LEO based internet services destroy, and instead let their posts go by like a tree falling in the woods.
OK, on to the useful bits. First, if you are interested, there is this site: Starlink for Overlanders which is a treasure trove of useful info related to implementing Starlink for overlanding. The author seems quiite knowledgeable and competent and updates his findings fairly frequently as of this post (29-Apr-2022). Good place to start if you have a mind to do something like this.
Next, I'll fess up to being fairly incompetent and ignorant about most things, especially Starlink and the build I have in mind. It will be crap compared to what most others will likely do, but we have to start the conversation somewhere, and I'll gladly take the slings and arrows pointing out my errors and lack of mechanical ability.
I live in the Bay Area of CA and placed my initial Starlink order about a year ago (7-Apr-2021). Being in the midst of Geekville, USA I wasn't surprised to learn that Starlink estimated my earliest delivery at end-2022. They even sent an update at the beginning of 2022 saying they know it is taking a long time and that I was welcome to cancel and get my deposit back, but the target delivery date was still late 2022, early 2023.
So, I was surprised to get another email on 19-Apr-2022 saying my order was ready to confirm, and elated when my "toy box" arrived earlier this week. Here's what you get:
One cardboard box and associated packing material, one dish with long 8-wire lead to connect to included router, one shortish power cord that also connects to the router, and the following "documentation":
Behind the bits is my rig, a 2021 Ford F'n Ranger, with one Yakima Overhaul HD rack, where the dish will be mounted. The build will involve something like the following:
1) Hook the initially supplied bits up to make sure they work before I get to butchering them for the install.
2) Butcher the Starlink bits by shortening the 8-wire cord to a suitable length and cutting a hole into the back of the dish to disconnect the arm motor.
3) Build a minimally suitable tray and associated supports to mount the dish to the rack.
4) Test out the router to see if placing it inside the truck will work for campsite/trailer access or if I need to be prepared for moving it between truck and trailer.
5) Build one or more mounts for the router.
Costs so far:
1) Starlink bits shipped to house - $99 deposit plus $554.66, so $653.66
2) Agreement to pay $110/mo starting early May.
3) $17.73 for some T-bolts, nuts & washers that I hope will work with my Overhaul bars, else I may have to drill (earliest delivery of correct Yakima part is August-2022).
That's it for now, more to come!
