Starlink - Global internet

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Apologies for the thread hijack. Back on topic.

I will eventually fit a Stsrlink to the wagon, so I am following this thread with interest; especially WRT how to skin the cat of delivering it power. @Webbah_in_Switzerland as ever has the primo example, just not sure my less frequent use case justifies an elaborate setup.

While I mull things over, I usually buy a placeholder to keep things ticking over.

So, I’m mulling a 5G router - as with everything, a multitude of options and price points.This was recommended by some people who had tried a few options.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C37FRYV5?tag=unique09f-21 (I know everyone has their preferred brand etc.)

Are there certain specs (carrier/SIM compatibility aside), you tech heads would recommend as most important for speed & connectivity?

I liked the notion of potentially wiring this to the adapter I have with USB-C output in the Victron load to charge it in summer. Trying to get my head around how 10,000 mAh translates to surfing time.

Use case - not work. Just a hotspot for 2 devices, light useage at night to maybe play an audiobook for the gremlin and for me to keep up on the swamper forum on here.

That hotspot should be ok, but I previously had a Netgear Nighthawk as it also has an optional external antenna that can be mounted on a window via suction cups. That dramatically improved the signal in some spotty areas. Something to consider if you are truly a swamper and out in the boondocks. I really would advised to have a look at FTS Hennig (it's in German but these guys really know their stuff)

https://www.fts-hennig.de/

 

[Kayleigh]

Apologies for the thread hijack. Back on topic.

I will eventually fit a Stsrlink to the wagon, so I am following this thread with interest; especially WRT how to skin the cat of delivering it power. @Webbah_in_Switzerland as ever has the primo example, just not sure my less frequent use case justifies an elaborate setup.

While I mull things over, I usually buy a placeholder to keep things ticking over.

So, I’m mulling a 5G router - as with everything, a multitude of options and price points.This was recommended by some people who had tried a few options.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C37FRYV5?tag=unique09f-21 (I know everyone has their preferred brand etc.)

Are there certain specs (carrier/SIM compatibility aside), you tech heads would recommend as most important for speed & connectivity?

I liked the notion of potentially wiring this to the adapter I have with USB-C output in the Victron load to charge it in summer. Trying to get my head around how 10,000 mAh translates to surfing time.

Use case - not work. Just a hotspot for 2 devices, light useage at night to maybe play an audiobook for the gremlin and for me to keep up on the swamper forum on here.

The ZTE would be fine, I think. It is a good spec. And yes, everyone has their own preference and use case. Personally, I am not too bothered about an internal battery as I need a guaranteed connection all day for work. I just run mine off 12v. For your use case I think the device may be overkill as it’s just for casual use. What about just using your phone?

For performance the main things to consider are:
- Will the internal antenna work ok in the van?
- If you want to connect to an external antenna, do the jacks support 4x4 MIMO? Most devices do not.

Your link ships from a third party on Amazon. Check their returns policy. I normally make sure items ship from Amazon as it makes returns easy and free.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

The ZTE would be fine, I think. It is a good spec. And yes, everyone has their own preference and use case. Personally, I am not too bothered about an internal battery as I need a guaranteed connection all day for work. I just run mine off 12v. For your use case I think the device may be overkill as it’s just for casual use. What about just using your phone?

For performance the main things to consider are:
- Will the internal antenna work ok in the van?
- If you want to connect to an external antenna, do the jacks support 4x4 MIMO? Most devices do not.

Your link ships from a third party on Amazon. Check their returns policy. I normally make sure items ship from Amazon as it makes returns easy and free.

Agreed re Amazon shipping.

Currently use my phone, as it has unlimited data. Was planning a hotspot so I could run a dedicated device for the little creature (as currently one of us has to go without a phone if her stories are playing); also fancied an alternative carrier (I use EE), if my main carrier has a blackspot (so would need to be Vodafone really).

I tether off the phone a lot, but the connection is oddly unstable to my laptop (odd as Apple > Apple), and to my wife’s phone. Though passwords are saved etc, often the connection drops or simply won’t connect.

Drives me a bit batshit!

I have an old 4G Vodafone hotspot I could dig out.

Probably just getting tech for tech’s sake

 

[Kayleigh]

Agreed re Amazon shipping.

Currently use my phone, as it has unlimited data. Was planning a hotspot so I could run a dedicated device for the little creature (as currently one of us has to go without a phone if her stories are playing); also fancied an alternative carrier (I use EE), if my main carrier has a blackspot (so would need to be Vodafone really).

I tether off the phone a lot, but the connection is oddly unstable to my laptop (odd as Apple > Apple), and to my wife’s phone. Though passwords are saved etc, often the connection drops or simply won’t connect.

Drives me a bit batshit!

I have an old 4G Vodafone hotspot I could dig out.

Probably just getting tech for tech’s sake

An old 4g hotspot may be worse than your phone! Give it a go! The specification of the ZTE device does look good though and very compact. It is much cheaper than the Netgear equivalent, which apparently has problems with overheating.

Personally, I use a home router that pulls in a better signal than my iPhone. That’s another option and there are lots of second hand ones on eBay.

 

[wildslammer22]

Just a quick update on my Starlink Mini set up. I bought a cheap third party 5m USB C cable from Amazon, it took a while to arrive but works flawlessly and has the weather proof plug same as the supplied Starlink 15m cable. I’m running this from the 12v socket on the end of the kitchen (so runs off leisure batteries) using a Anker 100w USB C adaptor. All works fine.

I recently upgraded my leisure batteries to LifePO4 (2x100ah) so can surf off grid as long as I need to, just off on a two week trip to France/Spain so it’ll be interesting to see how long the 50GB data plan lasts. I’m fairly confident it should easily see out the trip in which case it’s the ideal set up for my use case.

I did make one less than optimal purchase - the tactic vans magnet mounts.

https://www.tacticvans.com/shop/p/starlink-mini-magnetic-supports

Whilst the quality is superb the magnets are so strong that it’s only really useful for me if I semi permanently mount to the roof rack which I don’t want to do for security reasons (the Starlink is rock solid with the magnets even at 85mph err 70mph). I think they would work well for anyone who is happy to mount to the bodywork of their van or someone that has a van with a steel roof (they obviously won’t stick to the Cali aluminium pop top).

 

[Cwcltd]

Starlink Mini on their Pivot Mount. Secured to Thule Wingbars, and without EHU I’m using the Ecoflow River, getting over 130Mbps.

 

[wildslammer22]

So having recently returned from a trip to France I concluded that I did want a semi permanent mounting system for the Starlink Mini to make set up quicker and for occasional use on the move when in cell signal deserts.

This is what I’ve settled on, it’s reasonably discreet and secure and set up is as quick as opening the smaller of the two black boxes to access the cable and plugging into the 12v kitchen socket with a USB C adapter. Clearly I’ve compromised the ability to be able to easily align it perfectly but even with the van facing completely the wrong direction the elevated position enables me to pretty much always get a useable signal and so far never below 20+ mbs and usually much much faster.

View attachment IMG_6443.jpeg

 

[Jp277]

I tether off the phone a lot, but the connection is oddly unstable to my laptop (odd as Apple > Apple), and to my wife’s phone. Though passwords are saved etc, often the connection drops or simply won’t connect.

When working on the train, or in the van, I tether my MacBook to my iPhone using the USB cable.
It will always reconnect after a drop in phone signal, and it does not drop the link to save power if you're not using WiFi for a few minutes.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

When working on the train, or in the van, I tether my MacBook to my iPhone using the USB cable.
It will always reconnect after a drop in phone signal, and it does not drop the link to save power if you're not using WiFi for a few minutes.

I concur - the wired connection is more stable.

It frustrates me though, I have been in the Apple ecosystem since the 2e - the whole premise of the modern ecosystem was ‘plug & play’ to encourage buying Apple hardware for compatibility.

Except it isn’t particularly stable, which negates that argument.

 

[Nand0]

For anyone based in Switzerland, I've noticed today that the Starlink Mini has come down in price to 170chf. Not sure if this is a temporary thing or not, but if you were on the fence, may be this is what tips you over

 

[jamesC]

Has anybody attempted to attach a Starlink Mini to a Thule WanderWay bike rack??

It strikes me that a small and readily available bracket could be purchased from Amazon or similar and fitted permanently to the rack and it would then be quick and simple to align the dish in any direction with minimal interference from the roof?

I think this bracket would do the trick.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Mr T]

Has anybody attempted to attach a Starlink Mini to a Thule WanderWay bike rack??

It strikes me that a small and readily available bracket could be purchased from Amazon or similar and fitted permanently to the rack and it would then be quick and simple to align the dish in any direction with minimal interference from the roof?

I think this bracket would do the trick.

Amazon.co.uk

I’ve got that bracket on my Thule bike rack on my Grand Cali. Works ok.

 

[jamesC]

I’ve got that bracket on my Thule bike rack on my Grand Cali. Works ok.

View attachment 131612

Do you leave the bracket in place?

 

[Mr T]

Do you leave the bracket in place?

Yes I do.

 

[Nand0]

Has anybody attempted to attach a Starlink Mini to a Thule WanderWay bike rack??
...
I think this bracket would do the trick.

Amazon.co.uk

It might be an issue if/when you open the rear door, specially if you have the roof up. If you don't notice, you could end up damaging the antenna, or worse, the roof.

 

[jamesC]

It might be an issue if/when you open the rear door, specially if you have the roof up. If you don't notice, you could end up damaging the antenna, or worse, the roof.

definitely an important consideration!!

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

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[Kayleigh]

FAO @calikev - They joined 50 mins ago and then did 5 spams in as many minutes!

 

[Califan61]

So having recently returned from a trip to France I concluded that I did want a semi permanent mounting system for the Starlink Mini to make set up quicker and for occasional use on the move when in cell signal deserts.

This is what I’ve settled on, it’s reasonably discreet and secure and set up is as quick as opening the smaller of the two black boxes to access the cable and plugging into the 12v kitchen socket with a USB C adapter. Clearly I’ve compromised the ability to be able to easily align it perfectly but even with the van facing completely the wrong direction the elevated position enables me to pretty much always get a useable signal and so far never below 20+ mbs and usually much much faster.

View attachment 130040

I too have been thinking of a semi permanent roof mount but was concerned with the elevation and direction being wrong and that effecting the signal on the mini. As you have used the mini for a while now are you still finding satellites and getting good signal?

My intention is to find a way to have a low profile mount that attaches quickly to the built in roof rails.

 

[SanderR72]

If you put the roof up (assuming you have a Cali) then the angle will be messed up anyway, depending on the type of mount you use.

Magnetic mounts don’t work by the way on the roof, as the roof is aluminium.

I used a magnetic mount on the bonnet, even while driving. The angle isn’t quite right, direction can be accounted for when not moving.

Tested it in the last few days in Germany and worked out fine.

 

[Californication69]

Starlink Mini on their Pivot Mount. Secured to Thule Wingbars, and without EHU I’m using the Ecoflow River, getting over 130Mbps. View attachment 129177

Just seen this, I have the pivot mount, this is really nice !
Could you leave the mini attached to pivot mount whilst driving?
I have two blocks that fit in the T-track from @Johnboy and used to attach my dishy when parked up.

 

[SanderR72]

Just seen this, I have the pivot mount, this is really nice !
Could you leave the mini attached to pivot mount whilst driving?
I have two blocks that fit in the T-track from @Johnboy and used to attach my dishy when parked up.

View attachment 138705

I wouldn’t use such a mount while moving. It’s easy to forget about it while driving under something that less than 2.10m high and you don’t want your Starlink to see stars from the hit it took…

 

[wildslammer22]

I too have been thinking of a semi permanent roof mount but was concerned with the elevation and direction being wrong and that effecting the signal on the mini. As you have used the mini for a while now are you still finding satellites and getting good signal?

My intention is to find a way to have a low profile mount that attaches quickly to the built in roof rails.

I guess it depends what you need internet for. When on holiday as long as I have a clear view of the sky I can usually get decent download speeds (c.30mbps) even if the orientation is no where near aligned. For me that’s more than enough for browsing and streaming. If I need to make Teams calls for work I will make much more effort with alignment. If need be I can take it out of the mount an manually align it - not found the need yet though.

 

[AdamsFamily]

Agreed re Amazon shipping.

Currently use my phone, as it has unlimited data. Was planning a hotspot so I could run a dedicated device for the little creature (as currently one of us has to go without a phone if her stories are playing); also fancied an alternative carrier (I use EE), if my main carrier has a blackspot (so would need to be Vodafone really).

I tether off the phone a lot, but the connection is oddly unstable to my laptop (odd as Apple > Apple), and to my wife’s phone. Though passwords are saved etc, often the connection drops or simply won’t connect.

Drives me a bit batshit!

I have an old 4G Vodafone hotspot I could dig out.

Probably just getting tech for tech’s sake

I have this Vodafone 5G Dongle - faultless on speed and signal reception even in the van. The aerials are a bonus on that one too.

 

[Peter84]

Tested it by leaving it on the dashboard behind the windshield and got signal just fine. Although it'll probably only work when driving north(ish).