Star Link options

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We just installed Starlink and boy was it easy. Works great, faster than Verizon cellular. We got a deal they were running for a few days $499 for the Mini but the $165 per month unlimited data roaming is steep, though that’s roughly what we pay for Verizon unlimited. We’re going to keep both until we feel like we can dump or cut down on what we pay for Verizon. So far we’re impressed with Starlink. We installed the app, set up the password on our wifi and all devices connected immediately. Gotta love technology!
 
¡Disfruta de tu Starlink y prospera! Ahora estamos acampando en Guatemala y pronto nos dirigiremos a Costa Rica. Les deseamos a todos un feliz invierno y tal vez volvamos al foro de vehículos recreativos en junio.


 

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Hi Gary. As you know, our home and business are in a very rural area and our cell phones don't work well - certainly not well enough to stream movies. Neither Verizon nor T-Mobile would authorize their cell-based "base stations" to be activated here, because of poor cell coverage and congestion, and cable service is not available.

For those reasons, we have a Gen 2 Starlink dish at our home on a residential service plan, and another Gen 2 dish on our RV, on a mobile service plan. The residential plan costs $120.00 per month and the mobile plan costs $165.00 per month. Both have performed flawlessly in the years we've had them.

The residential plan is less expensive, but it cannot be deactivated on a monthly basis like the mobile plan. We pay $120.00 per month for the residential plan whether we're using it or not. Residential plans have higher priority than mobile plans in cases of high congestion, but we have never experienced a problem with our mobile Starlink - even in congested areas like during the Quartzsite RV show. We deactivate our mobile Starlink plan when we're not traveling. When it's deactivated, we pay nothing. When it's time to travel, we activate it via the app and pay $165.00 per month - even if we only use it for a couple of weeks.

Our Gen 2 dish mounts on the rear of our RV's roof and we travel down the road with it there. If we get stuck parked under a thick canopy of trees, we can pop a latch on the mount and move the dish to another location to get a signal, but so far, we've never had to. It hasn't been off the roof in over a year. No set up, break down or storage issues. The dish just rides down the road on the roof. And all of our cell phone calls are all made through Starlink, so we're never NOT able to make, or receive calls, as long as we're near the RV. You're gonna love Starlink. Say hi to Maria.

Kev

Gen 2 Starlink Dish.jpg
 
We're ready to order but the wife and I can't agree on which unit. She wants the standard unit. Since I'll be the one dragging it around and possibly setting it on the roof from time to time, I'm thinking portable.
If getting Starlink for RV use only, you should decide if you want the standard model antenna or the smaller Starlink Mini, the mini model draws less power, is lighter, and is designed with portable use in mind, it is also less than half the max speed of the standard model, which is still plenty fast enough to stream 4K Netflix.

Despite what Isaac says, the wife thinks the portable unit will disappoint because of the slower download speed. For those familiar with both, are there any issues with download speed while streaming on the portable unit. Also how much more power does the larger unit use. We only have 210 aHs lithium and about 100 aHs are used by our 12v fridge and my iMac desktop while boon docking.

Kev, just reread your post. Since you have both, what has been your experience while streaming at KOFA.

We got a deal they were running for a few days $499 for the Mini but the $165 per month unlimited data roaming is steep, though that’s roughly what we pay for Verizon unlimited.
Not sure how frequently the discount is offered but when I first looked at the Starling site two days ago, it said we had 1 day, to get the discount. If anyone keeps an eye on Starlink, how often do they have a discount? We're probably not heading out until the 1st or 2nd week of January so can wait a bit.
 
¡Disfruta de tu Starlink y prospera! Ahora estamos acampando en Guatemala y pronto nos dirigiremos a Costa Rica. Les deseamos a todos un feliz invierno y tal vez volvamos al foro de vehículos recreativos en junio.


I'll have to call my x to understand this and I don't really like calling my x. However, I saw the IRV2 link and checked your post. I am not clear on how you use Starlink to make phone calls. If you're making calls via VOIP what do you do when you're just out bike riding hiking or on the water?
 
With apologies for a bit of thread drift... I don't think a mounting pole type system would work for us given the types of sites we stay at require me to move the dish some distance away.

With that in mind I bough the tripod below, but am returning given there's no adjustment for level. Has to be set up on totally flat ground otherwise Starlink complains "not level". It also tipped over with first use even though the weather was completely calm.

Anyone have some kind of "movable" mount they can recommend?

tripod.jpg
 
I bough the tripod below, but am returning given there's no adjustment for level
Perhaps the following will help with future tripod selection:


Jennifer
 
I'll have to call my x to understand this and I don't really like calling my x. However, I saw the IRV2 link and checked your post. I am not clear on how you use Starlink to make phone calls. If you're making calls via VOIP what do you do when you're just out bike riding hiking or on the water?
Spanish for:

"Enjoy your Starlink and prosper! We are currently camping in Guatemala and will soon be heading to Costa Rica. We wish everyone a happy winter and maybe we will return to the RV forum in June."

You can port your current numbers to or get new numbers for the free Google Voice App which then enables you to make free phone calls, etc. We have Google Voice on our Samsung Android Wi-Fi pads which use Starlink Wi-Fi or anyplace that has Wi-Fi...which is most everyplace place these days. Been doing this since when we first got Starlink over 4 years ago and dumped cellular back then too.


We have no desire or need to communicate when we are actually mobile. But if we had an emergency situation requiring the need to do so, we can use our UHF/VHF Yaesu FT-60R Transceiver to contact another ham radio operator or a repeater to make phone calls. Or use our GMRS Transceivers that we use for general camping communications. Being remote wilderness campers and blue water sailers, we also carry a Garmin in Reach satellite communicator. And one can always just stop someplace and use their Wi-Fi. When RVing, we also additionally have our Starlink Internet/WiFi and our HF Elecraft KX2 Transceiver for worldwide Voice or Morse code communications.

Felices senderos!
 
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Thanks for the reply. Enjoy your time in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Never been to either. The X was born and raised in Quito Ecuador. Been there twice for a month. Traveled from Quito to the Coast via some scary mountain roads in the Andes. Beautiful country and wonderful experience. I hear Costa Rica is beautiful. Post some pix when you return.
 
Thanks for the reply. Enjoy your time in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Never been to either. The X was born and raised in Quito Ecuador. Been there twice for a month. Traveled from Quito at an elevation of 9,000 feet to Guayaquil on the Coast via some very scary mountain roads in the Andes. Beautiful country and wonderful experience. I hear Costa Rica is beautiful. Post some pix when you return.
 
Gary,

I have not been on here much lately, but I wanted to respond about recommending the mounting solution that Kevin developed.

I have had the Star Vector mounting system on both the current and previous RV.

It has worked for me without ever having to move it from the roof, however it can be deployed with the long cable from the roof if required.

It does not require any set up time and is always available.

Here is a link to a post that I made about my experience with it.

 
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Gary,

I have not been on here much lately, but I wanted to respond about recommending the mounting solution that Kevin developed.

I have had the Star Vector mounting system on both the current and previous RV.

It has worked for me without ever having to move it from the roof, however it can be deployed with the long cable from the roof if required.

It does not require any set up time and is always available.

Here is a link to a post that I made about my experience with it.
Bill, thanks for the (insert link) See you in Q?
 
Perhaps the following will help with future tripod selection:
Jennifer
Thanks for the link. I seem to remember seeing that vid in my previous searches. It does seem that an adapter of this sort might be a good option. Unfortunately, the trip we're on now is the first time I didn't bring one of our standard tripods, thinking that an inexpensive, dedicated model like the one I mentioned would work. Uh.. not so much. :mad:

I've got a half dozen tripods back at the studio along with even more heads of varying sizes and description. Lot of good that does me now...

Live and learn I guess. :(
 
I've got a half dozen tripods back at the studio along with even more heads of varying sizes and description. Lot of good that does me now...

Live and learn I guess. :(
I feel your frustration. Been there and done that and I expect it will happen to me again!. Ohhh how I wish my intuit and crystal ball was not defective. I blame Murphy! If I do not pack it or toss it, HE makes sure I need it - even if it has not been used for thirty + years. :cry:

Maybe you use wood wedges or shims to level the tripod till you do not get the error code.
 

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