Using Starlink Mini Where Verizon Hotspot Has No Coverage

[DonTom]

Right now, here, I have NO coverage on my Verizon Hotspot. I am at the lower camp. The upper camp has coverage and I hiked up there today to send and get my messages and to view my house cameras and more.

But on the way back, I met a nice couple here (Ben & Colleen) who is letting me use their Wi-FI on their StarLink. Clear on the opposite side of this camp, and still a strong wi-fi signal to this side.

Ben was showing me how it works and how it is set up and etc. It's all new to me.

I just ordered my own Starlink system from Amazon. This one.

I also purchased the carry case since I will need to move it between RVs as necessary. And the DC adapter.

This stuff is all new to me, so any comments?

It will be one of those things I will not use often, but will be handy as needed, such as when here and a few other places that have no cell coverage.

-Don- Sacramento Pass, NV

 

[John From Detroit]

I had one of those in my hands about 5 weeks ago. Nice unit. Small, compact you do not so much aim as point (it has internal electronic aiming) power it up and good to go.,
So much a month and 5.00/month to stand by.

If I was still Living on the road.. YES.
Some friends of mine use it and it seems to work well.. I'm not sure about streaming video (I believe it's up to the job) But I know it does audio like I was sitting next to you. And of course, Data.

Now you need to do a bit of studying (Ham test on line) Get a license, and an SharkRF M1KE to use with it (Very evil grin) then at 10am Eastern M-F we can chat.
OR you could get a Pi-Star (or SharkRF openspoit) and and ICOM IC-705 (Mine arrives, in theory, today)_ That is even more fun as the 705 is a real 2-way radio.. But you need a General or Extra for the 705's HF features. (VHF/UHF well 10 meters (30 meg) and above. TECH works)

 

[Tom_M1]

Homedepot is selling the Mini for $249.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/STARLINK-Starlink-Mini-Kit-02535001-HD/331732584

 

[NY_Dutch]

The Mini is included with the full sized Starlink Gen3 rental system. No upfront costs except shipping ($21 here). I haven't received my Mini yet, since they quoted a 2-4 week delivery due to demand. The Gen3 is working well here at home though, with download speeds in the 300-400 Mbps range.

 

[DonTom]

What is the difference between the gen 3 and gen four? I have the gen 4 on order which will arrive just after I get back to Auburn.

Ben has the slightly older Gen 3 and he also doesn't know the difference.

I am still using their system, but they can leave here any minute.

-Don- Sacramento Pass, NV

 

[DonTom]

Homedepot is selling the Mini for $249.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/STARLINK-Starlink-Mini-Kit-02535001-HD/331732584

That was where Ben purchased his Gen 3 around a year ago, which I an now using. But I do not think there are any Home Depots or much of anything else in this area.

I assume the gen 3 is a little cheaper. But I decided to order the newest mini available, even though I do not know the difference between the Gen 3 & Gen 4.

-Don- Sac Pass, NV

 

[DonTom]

That is even more fun as the 705 is a real 2-way radio..

I have been doing a lot of hamming from here at Sac Pass. I am not sure why, but I usually make more contacts on these trips with my small portable TransWorld Antenna than I do from either of my homes. And I use the same type of antenna at my Reno house which is on the very top of a 5K' hill.

Perhaps because I get into different areas when on these trips.

73, -Don- AA6GA/7 Sac Pass, NV

 

[LarsMac]

PC Mag article on Gen 3 and V4

 

[rcflyer-XRD]

I have a Starlink Mini that I use in my Jeep. The antenna has been mounted inside on a hardtop JK Rubicon, The antenna gets a good signal through the fiberglass top and works while in motion.
The main reason I got the Mini was to be able to make an emergency phone call if needed with Wi-Fi calling on my iPhone. When we are 4 wheeling in Southwest Arizona there are many times we do not have cell coverage. If you can see the sky Starlink works no matter where you are.
I can also listen to my favorite radio station via the internet, send and receive emails to let the family know where I am and when I will be home.

 

[DonTom]

I have a Starlink Mini that I use in my Jeep. The antenna has been mounted inside on a hardtop JK Rubicon, The antenna gets a good signal through the fiberglass top and works while in motion.
The main reason I got the Mini was to be able to make an emergency phone call if needed with Wi-Fi calling on my iPhone. When we are 4 wheeling in Southwest Arizona there are many times we do not have cell coverage. If you can see the sky Starlink works no matter where you are.
I can also listen to my favorite radio station via the internet, send and receive emails to let the family know where I am and when I will be home.

I wonder if you realize 9-1-1 calls me made on ANY cell service it can find for the area. It does NOT need to be your own service network. The same goes for RCS texting on 5G. But the 9-1-1 does not need 5G to use any cell provider it can find in the area.

For emergencies, StarLink will be good for where NOBODY has any cell service.

I have a Spot Messenger for that. I press a button and get a tow truck. They automatically get a map of my exact location. That I carry on my motorcycle rides as it is a very small unit.

-Don- Ely, NV

 

[DonTom]

PC Mag article on Gen 3 and V4

I don't think that is the "mini".

What I ordered was:

"Space X-Starlink Mini Internet Kit Satellite - 4th Generation Portable Antenna with Phase Array Technology -"​

 

[Mikeylikesit-WO]

It works great! We have starlink at home. ($120 per month, high speed unlimited) We are very happy with it, other than the price, but it's our only option as we're out in the country, with only DSL available.

A few months ago, SL offered us a "mini" for free, with a $5.00 a month standby fee. I got it.

just this weekend we were in Darlington for the races, we camp in the infield. Free wi-fi was advertised, but non-existent. We've used our Verizon as a hot spot in other locations but for some reason, it was terribly slow here. So, I decided to give the SL mini a try. Set it on the roof, plugged it in, and voila' were connected. However, painfully slow. Got on their website to find that the $5 standby plan only gives you a very small amount of data at a very slow speed....had to purchase another plan.

I went ahead and ponied up the $82 for unlimited high speed data. Works just like at home.....we had 6 devices connected including 2 TV's watching different channels and didn't see the "buffering circle of pain" even once all weekend! Totally worth it to me to not have to listen to DW complain about not being able to stream her soap operas!

the mini plan I can turn on and off for the months we'll be traveling in the RV. No more messing around with campsite Wi-Fi for us. Sorry for the long read...but yes, SL works for us!

Cheers!

 

[DonTom]

I went ahead and ponied up the $82 for unlimited high speed data.

That sounds like a much better deal than my unlimited Verizon Hotspot that I am now using for more than a hundred bucks per month. I will still keep both, the Verizon Hotspot and the SL. The Verizon hotspot gets used a lot on my motorcycle rides and it's small size is extra handy.

But I will reduce the plan to a cheaper one as it will not be used nearly as much when I have the SL mini working. I am trying to decide which plans I should go with when I have both. I certainly do not need unlimited on each plan. Perhaps the minimum plan on each will work well for me when I have both.

-Don- Bean Flat, NV

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

We have had starlink mini now for the last 2 years. We have the unlimited roam plan. We jump down to the $5 plan when we’re are home, our Verizon unlimited works fine there. When Starlink works it’s super-great! Problem is you have to have a clear view of the sky at all times or it is slow or doesn’t work at all. Trees, which are many in campgrounds obstruct. BuildinGs and mountains can obstruct depending on the time of day and where the satellites are that are communicating with your mini. Traffic (internet traffic) will also impact service. They are constantly asking for feedback which I tell them Sirius works everywhere - I’m sure they love that. We set the mini up on a photography tripod and we found this neat cable spool:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ2CP1ML?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

When people passing by the campsite ask if Starlink is a good thing we say yes. Eventually they’ll have enough satellites to handle the traffic and maybe they’ll ask Sirius how to build receivers that work everywhere regardless of the terrain.

 

[DonTom]

Problem is you have to have a clear view of the sky at all times or it is slow or doesn’t work at all.

Ben mentioned that Star Link has their own satellite system and it is to the north and the type that is not stationary-- they are always moving. So even without clear sky to the north, it may work for a while and then start to give problems.

If perfectly clear to the north then it should aways work well.

Does all this sound correct?

Anyway, his worked perfectly at all times from the lower camp at Sacramento Pass where I had no trace of a signal on my Verizon.

And it sure puts out a strong Wi-Fi signal. Can it be lowered as it can be in my Verizon Portable Hotspot?

And does it have a guest network, as does my Verizon? I was using Ben's only password--the same one he uses.

I will know more in a few days when my system arrives here in a few days.

BTW, is there any advantage to me buying the equipment separately? Or was that a big mistake?

It sounds like I should have gotten the stuff "free" with a Star Link plan.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[davismills]

I've had the Starlink mini for about a year now and I'm pleased with it.

Mine has the router built in, but I elected to disable the SL router and use my own router which is installed inside the RV.

I use a pole mount that's attached to the rear roof ladder. I just put the SL on the pole on the ground and hoist it up to about 2 feet above the roof line and then turn it toward the North. I have both TVs, laptop and phones connected to the router, so when the SL connects my devices all become "live". It's a quick setup.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

Ben mentioned that Star Link has their own satellite system and it is to the north and the type that is not stationary-- they are always moving. So even without clear sky to the north, it may work for a while and then start to give problems.

If perfectly clear to the north then it should aways work well.

Does all this sound correct?

Anyway, his worked perfectly at all times from the lower camp at Sacramento Pass where I had no trace of a signal on my Verizon.

And it sure puts out a strong Wi-Fi signal. Can it be lowered as it can be in my Verizon Portable Hotspot?

And does it have a guest network, as does my Verizon? I was using Ben's only password--the same one he uses.

I will know more in a few days when my system arrives here in a few days.

BTW, is there any advantage to me buying the equipment separately? Or was that a big mistake?

It sounds like I should have gotten the stuff "free" with a Star Link plan.

-Don- Auburn, CA

I’ve actually never paid attention to the direction for alignment but I will from now on. I am not so sure about the pointing North, but in looking at how we have it set up here it is facing North. We’re currently in the mountains in Tennessee with no Verizon service. It is heavily wooded and there are mountains to the North. The first thing you do when you set the receiver/wi/fi unit up is align it using the app:

It is facing North, so maybe that’s right. You align it by spinning the white receiver. The Next thing you check is for obstructions:

Mountains and trees is what the red is. It says there are obstructions but speed isn’t bad, we streamed Paramount plus last night. There were a couple of times it buffered. You move the whole thing to get away from Obstructions. Realign and test the connection. The whole process can take 5-20 minutes depending on the obstructions and speed it takes to calculate obstructions.

I haven’t found a way to lower the wifi signal.
I haven’t found anything to indicate a guest network either. There might be a way but I’m not sure. Currently we have three devices on ours, using the main password and all three have good internet access.

Starlink was running promo recently but I didn’t catch what it was. We got our kit direct from Starlink around $500 in 2024. I don’t know if Amazon was deal, if it works right it was a deal! Here’s what we got:

We also got a flagpole buddy: flagpolebuddy.com but haven’t ever used it because of campground tree cover. Probably would work well at a desert location or tree-free beach or other location. We have found the photographer tripod works the best because often you have to fool with alignment and getting free from obstructions so being able to move the whole thing around attached to the tripod has been a plus for us. Getting the longer cable also increased ease-of setup.

Hope that helps!

 

[DonTom]

Hope that helps!

Yes, thanks for the info.

I should have mine sometime on Friday.


-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

Mine has the router built in, but I elected to disable the SL router and use my own router which is installed inside the RV.

What are the advantages of using your own router over the built-in one?

-Don Auburn, CA

 

[davismills]

What are the advantages of using your own router over the built-in one?

-Don Auburn, CA

I use a small GL.inet router that has builtin VPN, AdGuard and Tailscale. Primarily, it moves the wifi into the motorhome for better connectivity. It comes in handy when you have to setup the SL 50-100 meters away from your motorhome to get a clear shot of the sky. The wifi built into the SL is good when it's close, but degrades quickly when positioned farther away. I use a DC powered step-up box with power over ethernet. That leaves me with ONLY ONE cable to connect to the SL.

I particularly like the use of Tailscale as it allows me to drill through the internet back to a movie server at my house where I have a library of 700 or so movies.