Starlink

[Dragonten]

I am looking to mount a Starlink with Seaview mount on my radar arch with minimum hole drilling. First thought is to 4200 two pieces of plastic board to the arch, then secure unit to the boards with screws. Would the Imron on the arch need to be removed or scuffed prior to 4200? I wonder if sccrews are sufficient to secure the mount instead of bolts? Any other ideas for mounting with minimal holes besides one for communication cable? Has anyone done similar or alternate options?

 

[Cricket]

Have Starlink HP mounted on a short Seaview mount attached to our hardtop. Starlink is pretty heavy so would use bolts if possible.

 

[Dragonten]

I am tempted to screw it in directly to the radar arch since I would be screwing into a metal surface. Trying to avoid the neee for another access hole on the back side.

 

[CGHOST4]

Dragonten, What antenna package did you choose? I am running the small standard antenna, with the Global package in the Bahamas, and the Regional package when in the states. My antenna articulates and follows the satellite as I move. My antenna is mounted on top of a piece of 3/4" stainless steel tubing attached to the side of my flybridge enclosure. The Starlink cable runs inside the tubing. I have had no issues the past couple of years.



Caesars Ghost
1980 58YF #472

 

[dar636]

I mounted mine on a former Satphone antenna that I decommissioned. Amazon sells an adapter then I just ran the data cable down to the lower helm. No problems in two seasons.

 

[Dragonten]

I bought the high performance marine version (not cheap) that is fixed and works while underway. From what I can tell it does not articulate. Mounts on an angled seaview cradle. I already have a Sat TV and Radar dual mast so mounting there won't work.

 

[rwaldrop13]

I bought the high performance marine version (not cheap) that is fixed and works while underway. From what I can tell it does not articulate. Mounts on an angled seaview cradle. I already have a Sat TV and Radar dual mast so mounting there won't work.

I had to do something similar to mount a replacement anchor light on my arch on Pau Hana. I screwed down a piece of starboard, with a hole pre-cut for the wiring, then a second plate with the light already mounted. I used 4200 under both pieces of starboard, but still screwed it down. I wouldn't take any chances with just using sealant.

 

[Cricket]

I am tempted to screw it in directly to the radar arch since I would be screwing into a metal surface. Trying to avoid the neee for another access hole on the back side.

Maybe drill and tap instead of using screws????

 

[Play'N Hooky Too]

Not to derail, but since the chatter seems to have settled down on the thread, I have a related question about the Starlink service for those with actual experience. I noticed that the specifications for the mobile services state that it can only be used on land. I was wondering if that was because the quality of the service would be significantly degraded by the 3-dimensional motion of a boat or if the signal processing was geofenced so that the service would not function if the antenna was not located within the boundaries of a land area?

Yes, I am aware that they have a marine version, but the cost is quite a bit more and I have plenty of other things on my boat list that I can spend my money on right now. I am old enough to remember dial-up internet and so I would have no issue with "degraded" service as long as I could have internet service while out at the Mississippi Canyon rigs.

Thanks
-Alan

 

[nmcafee]

We purchased the version 3 of the standard antenna about 4 months ago. We use the mobile regional plan ($150 per month) and have had zero problems. Works fine while moving (we max out at 10 knots) and in marinas.

BUT,

ours is mounted right next to our radar dome. When we use the radar our starlink goes down. The good news is that we are fair weather cruisers and don't use the radar often. I have read that if you raise or lower either of the antennas the problem goes away, but that is a project for another day.

I bought this mount which is pretty nifty, fits the V3 perfectly.
https://www.trioflatmount.com/shop/p/triopolemount?utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer_notification

 

[Sadey]

We’ve been using the RV version of Starlink for four seasons. Out in the middle of Lake Michigan at 19kts we were still was able to stream without a much of a hiccup. We moved dishy from under the old satellite dome, which was in line with the radar sweep to a higher position and now no blackout when using the radar. Also one of the latest updates. They put a toggle to force dishy into the flat position which seems to have made a tremendous difference when there’s significant motion on the boat on down/upload speeds. Since leaving the upper Midwest, down the river system into Nashville we still had no issues or lack of service. We have the RV version because the boat was only in the water for the summertime and I was able to turn the service off for the storage season.

 

[Dragonten]

Update on my install. Should have checked the box before posting. Starlink provides three installation options: screws, bolts or bolts secured with blind nuts. I was able to install without access to the back side using the blind nuts. Good work Elon.Now as I run the communication wire curious if anyone knows if there is anything between the port side engine bulkhead that butts up to the underside of galley cabinets. I am considering drilling a hole since I installed the router there.

 

[pmurphy]

I know this is too late for you but might help others. I purchased the Gen 3 and ordered the Trio Flatmount. While waiting for the mount to arrive I just put the antenna (laying flat) under the brow on the flybridge. I has to work through the fiberglass. I secured it with a strip of velcro expecting it would be temporary until the mount arrived. I tested it a while in my home port of Tampa and it worked! The mount arrived but I ran out of time to install it before leaving Tampa for a summer cruise to Maine. It remains under the brow and we've had near flawless performance all the way up to Maine. I was concerned about interference with the radar too so I think I'm going to keep it where its at. Speeds are consistently over 100mps. Our typical speed of travel is at or under 10 kts.

 

[Pascal]

Not to derail, but since the chatter seems to have settled down on the thread, I have a related question about the Starlink service for those with actual experience. I noticed that the specifications for the mobile services state that it can only be used on land. I was wondering if that was because the quality of the service would be significantly degraded by the 3-dimensional motion of a boat or if the signal processing was geofenced so that the service would not function if the antenna was not located within the boundaries of a land area?
Thanks
-Alan

The $150 Regional Mobile plan works well with either the V3 or the FHP dish. It will provide unlimited service near shore, up to about 10nm. Offshore you need to toggle Opt In Priority Data to keep service going at $2 per gig. We do that when crossing to the Bahamas or when crossing the banks away from islands.

Most users on SL FB groups report the V3 works fine underway at speed of under 10kts. Some say it also work at higher speed.

I first installed the V2 dish on the boat I run about 3 years ago. Initially it worked fine at any speed and then it didn’t… back then SL was changing the rules monthly so i installed the $2500 Flat High Performance dish, still with mobile regional. It has been flawless even at 20kts.

In your case I would try the V3 with mobile regional and simply activate OIPD when you head offshore. Don’t get the $250 plan which includes 50 gig of offshore data as the 50 gigs are used first every month even if you are near shore.

 

[doc g]

Is there a difference between residential and boat SL service or hardware??.............Pat

 

[Pascal]

Hardware is the same, the fairly new V3 which is now discounted to $299

Residential plan is $120 a month vs $150 for mobile aka roam

 

[Play'N Hooky Too]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Again, sorry for derailing.

-Alan