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Old 12-08-2022, 07:30 AM   #1
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Starlink Antenna - how are you mounting?

I know there's an active Starlink thread and maybe the answer is embedded somewhere in the 600 posts, but I have some basic questions on the antenna (my Starlink just shipped). I have just the standard antenna, not the mobile RV one (not available in Mexico yet).

First, how are folks physically mounting the antenna? I found some adapters to 1" x 14 standard marine base (example pic attached). Thoughts?

Second, are folks mounting these flat, or at an angle? If at an angle, do they require adjustment towards a different part of the sky? If so, how frequently?

Finally, assuming I don't need to adjust orientation, my preferred mounting location is fairly close to my radar dome. I'd planned on raising SL antenna above the dome. Any concerns with the two antennae be within a few feet of each other as long as their beams do not intersect?

Any other comments would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

Peter Click image for larger version

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Old 12-08-2022, 07:58 AM   #2
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Peter,

A friend of mine in Ketchikan has mounted several on boats using the little stubby roof mount Starlink sells on their web site. You could also use their pipe adapter on on a larger piece of tubing to get it higher. You are kind of stuck using their antenna with the short pole attached due to how the pre made cable attaches, unless you want to get into electronic and mechanical surgery.

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Old 12-08-2022, 09:15 AM   #3
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I just used the Starlink rooftop mount that is available from the starlink store.

I did not disable my motors or any other modification, and get great performance, even while underway.
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Old 12-08-2022, 09:34 AM   #4
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I bought a length of aluminum tubing and welded on a round flange (all 1/4" thick) to the bottom. Four through bolts secure it to the top of my fiberglass radar arch. I 3D printed an adapter to fit inside the top of the tube and marry up with the SL pole end, then waterproofed that joint with tape. (I've also seen others simply wrap enough tape around the antenna's pole to make up the difference.)

The cable is fed down through the tube and then inside the boat from there. Cutting off the large SL proprietary connector made running the cable down a lot easier, and then I installed a regular RJ45 connector (also eliminating the SL router in the process). If you don't want to cut the cable, feed the antenna end connector up (vs the router end down), as it's a lot smaller.

You asked about radar interference. This positioning between the two allows both to work together without issue. Much lower and SL shuts down as soon as the radar is turned on and needs to be rebooted in order to start working again.

No special positioning. The antenna has the ability to both rotate and angle itself. Our experience is that it generally works fine underway unless there is a lot of boat movement. It also almost always goes offline as we dock or anchor, probably because of all the changes in boat orientation during those times. SOP for us is to reboot SL after we're set for the evening. My advice is to be sure to have a convenient way to power cycle it.
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Old 12-14-2022, 12:45 PM   #5
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Here's what I ended up with. Being installed as I write. Adapter fitting to 1x14 standard marine antenna base.

Peter Click image for larger version

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Old 12-14-2022, 01:35 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mvweebles View Post
[snip]
First, how are folks physically mounting the antenna? I found some adapters to 1" x 14 standard marine base (example pic attached). Thoughts?

Attachment 134295
We went with simple fishing rod holder mounted on rail up on boat deck. Couple wraps of rescue tape keeps it plenty secure in the rod holder.

-tozz
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Old 12-14-2022, 07:05 PM   #7
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The outward facing bolts of Mantus rail-mount clamps slot perfectly into the Starlink wall mount bracket.
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Old 12-14-2022, 08:44 PM   #8
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We used a scotty mount on a horizontal davit tube.
Plugged a scotty rod holder into that. A pvc pipe spacer, 3 hose clamps. Did all this at the dock in Ensenada, works good.
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Old 12-27-2022, 11:13 AM   #9
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Here’s mine.
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Old 01-02-2023, 05:40 PM   #10
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Just completed the flat high performance install with the Seaview mount. Voila! (Anybody want to buy my residential antenna?)
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Old 02-17-2023, 02:48 PM   #11
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Just finished the flat install. It's not for the faint of heart, but everything worked and I have satellite internet now.

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Ted
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Old 02-17-2023, 03:10 PM   #12
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Just finished the flat install. It's not for the faint of heart, but everything worked and I have satellite internet now.
Looks great! I suspect that you'll be very happy with the flat orientation. Likely worth all the work it apparently turned out to be... : )
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Old 02-17-2023, 03:25 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by O C Diver View Post
Just finished the flat install. It's not for the faint of heart, but everything worked and I have satellite internet now.



Attachment 136213



Ted
Ted - I see a quarter-sized hole cover. Did you disable the servo motors? If so, care to share what approach you used?

I have this vision of bomb squad diffusing a bomb - one guy reading as the other is doing the work. "Cut the red wire......." Snip "........but not before cutting the blue wire...."

Peter
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Old 02-17-2023, 05:57 PM   #14
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Ted - I see a quarter-sized hole cover. Did you disable the servo motors? If so, care to share what approach you used?

I have this vision of bomb squad diffusing a bomb - one guy reading as the other is doing the work. "Cut the red wire......." Snip "........but not before cutting the blue wire...."

Peter
Yes, I disabled the servo motor.

If you Google "disabling the Starlink motor" there are a number of articles and videos. I used these 2:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/starli...9284207818149/



If you want to cut the cable to pass it through a bulkhead gland, this link is very good for understanding the wiring. It also covers replacing the router and powering the unit from a 48 volt booster:

https://svrenaissance.com/musings-about-starlink/

Would also like to thank TF member BCRyan for his invaluable help and pointing me in the right direction!

Ted
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Old 02-18-2023, 02:38 AM   #15
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When I did this I received a stuck motor notice , a big red bar across the app screen. In the video it doesn't appear. Anyone else get the notice when they disconnected the motors?
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Old 02-18-2023, 05:24 AM   #16
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When I did this I received a stuck motor notice , a big red bar across the app screen. In the video it doesn't appear. Anyone else get the notice when they disconnected the motors?
I get a small banner (maybe 10 to 15% of the total height of the screen) notifying me the motor is stuck, but it doesn't appear to affect the app in any way. Other than diagnostics if I have a problem, I'm not planning on using the app.

Ted
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Old 02-18-2023, 08:31 AM   #17
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Ted - I see a quarter-sized hole cover. Did you disable the servo motors? If so, care to share what approach you used?

I have this vision of bomb squad diffusing a bomb - one guy reading as the other is doing the work. "Cut the red wire......." Snip "........but not before cutting the blue wire...."

Peter
Just yesterday I disabled the motors on my starlink.

The results were amazing. I went from about 60 mbps to 160 mbps immediately.

I have no clue why. I am stable in a slip and I would have thought that the starlink would have optimized for speed.

The modification was simple.

I drilled a 1" hole using a forstner bit exactly 5" X 5" from the edge measures with a flexible tape.

Then I took a pair of needle nose pliers and removed the cable from the socket.

Super duper easy
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Old 02-18-2023, 09:58 AM   #18
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Kevin,
The story I've been told on that is there is some agreement to direct these antennas towards higher latitudes to minimize interference with sat comms at lower latitudes, even though there are more star link satellites at lower latitudes. Hence, your improved performance with a flat orientation.

We saw data rates over 200 mbps offshore going south, with antenna oriented north, go figure.

We put it in a bucket and it wound itself up on the stem, fell out of the bucket! So much for that idea.
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Old 02-18-2023, 11:46 AM   #19
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When I did this I received a stuck motor notice , a big red bar across the app screen. In the video it doesn't appear. Anyone else get the notice when they disconnected the motors?
Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver View Post
I get a small banner (maybe 10 to 15% of the total height of the screen) notifying me the motor is stuck, but it doesn't appear to affect the app in any way. Other than diagnostics if I have a problem, I'm not planning on using the app.

Ted
My banner is now gone. Guess it's come to terms with the new reality.

Ted
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Old 02-18-2023, 12:21 PM   #20
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My banner is now gone. Guess it's come to terms with the new reality.

Ted
Maybe software update to be more like the fixed flat one? Good to hear it goes away.
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