Starlink users, have you ever seen this?

[jymbee]

I'm getting messages from time to time in the Starlink app that reports "Poor cable connection". Setup is pretty straight forward with unobstructed view of the sky here a few hours below San Antonio, TX and using my own router.

Weird thing being that even when this message appears, sometimes but not always the speed tests seems pretty normal, with the typical fluctuations of course but overall seems stable.

Then, with absolutely nothing being changed, the message goes away and the speed tests are all normal again.

Not sure if it's telling me the cable from the Starlink router to my router, or the cable from the antenna to the Starlink router. I've tried different cables with my router but no difference. Can't see any issues with the Starlink cable at all but don't yet have a cable to swap/test.

Bottom line, I would think if there was indeed an issue (unobservable even) with a cable that it wouldn't later somehow return to normal.

Here's another report from within the app. which shows the cable issue if thinks if has:

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[Lou Schneider]

I'd suspect the cable from the Starlink power supply/router to the antenna. All of the logic is in the antenna unit so it will be sensitive to even momentary power dropouts.

 

[LarsMac]

Check the connections on both ends of the cable, and make sure they are not "Stretched"

Their link analysis has become much more informational of late. Mine now whines about interference between the mesh nodes (probably because the RV is parked between the dish main router In the Garage and the indoor node in the house.)
But I'm still averaging 325-370 mbps Throughput and < 20 ms latency.

 

[jymbee]

I'd suspect the cable from the Starlink power supply/router to the antenna.

Check the connections on both ends of the cable, and make sure they are not "Stretched"

Both reasonable suggestions. But it seems strange to me that even though nothing at all changes with respect to cabling, placement etc. the errors come and go.

Bandwidth of course but cable warnings? IOW, how can a cable warning just go away with nothing changing.

Since posting all has been relatively stable but I'll still probably get another SL cable as a standby, just in case.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Wasillaguy]

I don't have Starlink, but it's definitely possible to have an intermittent cable or connection issue.
I would look carefully at the cable contacts and receptacle contacts on both ends to make sure nothing is amiss.
If it continues happening, see if there's a pattern, like when sun hits the antenna and warms it up.
Borrowing or purchasing another cable is a solid idea as well.

 

[LarsMac]

Without knowing the Software setting they are using for link monitoring, anything is a guess. There could have been some anomaly detected in the signal, and it was interpreted as a physical path error. Since the only thing in the path is the cable, well, the AI suggested checking the cable. It's possible that moisture caused mineral deposits on the connector pin. Who knows. If it actually causes a noticeable degradation of signal, then it may require investigation. Otherwise, ...
As with anything else electronic, if it's acting weird, unplug, and re-plug, and see if it goes away.
I am impressed with some of the new monitoring capabilities that they have added. I actually am getting some useful data on link behavior, now.

 

[jymbee]

Well... my thinking all along had been that there must be an issue with the cable or the cable connection at the antenna or the router end.

The other day when I was packing up I ran my hands up/down the whole length of the cable, and this is what I found near one end:

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Don't know how I missed that or how it happened but it was a pretty deep gouge with some wires exposed. New cable came today, hooked it all up, and happy to report-- back to normal.

I have all the tools/parts to make up regular Cat 5/6 Ethernet cables, but not this type. Also, I had read that regular Ethernet cables could work and I tried that before I got the OEM replacement, but they didn't connect to the Gen 3 router or the antenna.

 

[Isaac-1]

You need a Cat 7 with ground shield for the Gen3 starlink to work

 

[Wasillaguy]

You need a Cat 7 with ground shield for the Gen3 starlink to work

We're up to Cat 7 now?
I've really lost touch with the tech since retiring, and I like it.
Yikes! Just did a search and found Cat 8.

 

[mnmnutswer]

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[BizCrate]

I'm glad you found the issue with the cable. A good reminder to the rest of us to pay attention as we coil up our gear and break camp. I had a different issue and thought i'd post here in case my expereince is helpful to anyone else.
I was getting a similar message with my StarLink and focused on the passthrough RJ45 connector. I left the cable plugged in for nearly a month while visiting relatives and experienced a couple of rainstorms during that time.
The connector I bought off of Amazon does the job but the male side is a little shallow and the cable doesn't set in far enough to make a weather tight seat like SL designed it to do. It works, but in hindsight I should have unplugged or at least dried and cleaned it after each storm.
A little rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip got the light corrosion off and I now use very light schmear of dielectric grease to protect it and haven't had the problem since.