Adding Starlink Mini to my Jeep

[Navak]

Hi All,

After a few weeks of pondering, I finally reached a point where I could share my progress on installing Starlink mini satellite dish.

I started with the @EPIC Adventure Outfitters C.R.O.W. molle system. Then, I found a set of brackets from American Adventure Lab and made some minor modifications to securely mount the dish while maintaining enough clearance from @Hothead Headliners skyliner. Everything looked good, and it worked while the SOT top was open. But once I closed the top, it completely killed the signal. Hmm, it’s a soft top, and at least I should get some signal. After another week of research and rethinking, I finally figured out that the Hothead Headliner has aluminum foil material and it was blocking the signal. I pulled back the front half of the headliner, and voila! It worked exactly as I had hoped. There are steel bars crossing the dish, but it’s not causing any major issues. I was even able to drive around while maintaining a solid internet connection.

I just sent a message to @Hothead Headliners, hoping they can lend a hand with this.

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[Cire]

That is awesome!!!

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

Nice. How are you powering the dish? 12V? USB-C?

 

[Navak]

Nice. How are you powering the dish? 12V? USB-C?

For a quick test, I tried the EcoFlow River 3 portable power bank. I’m thinking of permanently mounting it somewhere in the car’s trunk. I’ll connect the River 3 to the car’s 12V system and use USB-C outlets from it. This way, I can use Starlink while the car is parked and the engine is off. Starlink draws an average of 22-25W.

 

[wanderer]

What does the sevice cost per month?

 

[Navak]

What does the sevice cost per month?

The most economical option is $50 for 50GB of data. Additionally, you have the flexibility to pause the service at any time.

 

[Ratbert]

For a quick test, I tried the EcoFlow River 3 portable power bank. I’m thinking of permanently mounting it somewhere in the car’s trunk. I’ll connect the River 3 to the car’s 12V system and use USB-C outlets from it. This way, I can use Starlink while the car is parked and the engine is off. Starlink draws an average of 22-25W.

You tow this car behind your Jeep???

 

[roaniecowpony]

What do you do with your jeep that made you want to do this mod?

 

[VKSheridan]

I totally understand flat mounting is convenient but with no disrespect intended, I’m not a fan.

StarLink needs an unobstructed view of the sky which means no parking in the shade or near the canyon wall if you hate buffering, disruption of signal and packet loss.

Further, the StarLink antenna really likes being pointed in the right direction and at an angle for maximum receptivity. Hard-mounting flat means ya gotta be out in the open for functionality and even then, you’re giving up throughput due to signal loss.

A option might be to mount it if driving while streaming is your thing but have it detachable so you can portably put the antenna in the open and not your entire rig.

Cheers

 

[Navak]

I totally understand flat mounting is convenient but with no disrespect intended, I’m not a fan.

StarLink needs an unobstructed view of the sky which means no parking in the shade or near the canyon wall if you hate buffering, disruption of signal and packet loss.

Further, the StarLink antenna really likes being pointed in the right direction and at an angle for maximum receptivity. Hard-mounting flat means ya gotta be out in the open for functionality and even then, you’re giving up throughput due to signal loss.

A option might be to mount it if driving while streaming is your thing but have it detachable so you can portably put the antenna in the open and not your entire rig.

Cheers

The Starlink instructions say mounting it flat is fine. They only mention tilting it to prevent snow and rain buildup on the dish. Since my application is mostly covered, I don’t think it’s a big deal. Plus, if I really need an unobstructed view, I can just open the top and get it.

With this setup, I can get some connection while I’m on the road.

 

[JeepJL2018w]

Hi All,

After a few weeks of pondering, I finally reached a point where I could share my progress on installing Starlink mini satellite dish.

I started with the @EPIC Adventure Outfitters C.R.O.W. molle system. Then, I found a set of brackets from American Adventure Lab and made some minor modifications to securely mount the dish while maintaining enough clearance from @Hothead Headliners skyliner. Everything looked good, and it worked while the SOT top was open. But once I closed the top, it completely killed the signal. Hmm, it’s a soft top, and at least I should get some signal. After another week of research and rethinking, I finally figured out that the Hothead Headliner has aluminum foil material and it was blocking the signal. I pulled back the front half of the headliner, and voila! It worked exactly as I had hoped. There are steel bars crossing the dish, but it’s not causing any major issues. I was even able to drive around while maintaining a solid internet connection.

I just sent a message to @Hothead Headliners, hoping they can lend a hand with this.

Hi All,

After a few weeks of pondering, I finally reached a point where I could share my progress on installing Starlink mini satellite dish.

I started with the @EPIC Adventure Outfitters C.R.O.W. molle system. Then, I found a set of brackets from American Adventure Lab and made some minor modifications to securely mount the dish while maintaining enough clearance from @Hothead Headliners skyliner. Everything looked good, and it worked while the SOT top was open. But once I closed the top, it completely killed the signal. Hmm, it’s a soft top, and at least I should get some signal. After another week of research and rethinking, I finally figured out that the Hothead Headliner has aluminum foil material and it was blocking the signal. I pulled back the front half of the headliner, and voila! It worked exactly as I had hoped. There are steel bars crossing the dish, but it’s not causing any major issues. I was even able to drive around while maintaining a solid internet connection.

I just sent a message to @Hothead Headliners, hoping they can lend a hand with this.

maybe you better add some EMF shielding. that is a lot of radiation to take to the head from a satellite dish!

 

[Navak]

What do you do with your jeep that made you want to do this mod?

Not much, it’s my weekend toy. I mostly use it for offroading.

 

[Navak]

maybe you better add some EMF shielding. that is a lot of radiation to take to the head from a satellite dish!

Fortunately, the antennas are facing up, so hopefully, there won’t be much EMI. Also, the overhead bracket is made of aluminum, so it should block some of that as well.

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

Not much, it’s my weekend toy. I mostly use it for offroading.

What many don't realize is that you can make cellular calls using the wifi of the StarLink dish when you are not in cell coverage. The low latency of the StarLink allows this to happen. So another benefit of having StarLink when off-roading/over landing.

 

[roaniecowpony]

What many don't realize is that you can make cellular calls using the wifi of the StarLink dish when you are not in cell coverage. The low latency of the StarLink allows this to happen. So another benefit of having StarLink when off-roading/over landing.

I figured it was possible.

I recall being probably 40 miles from the nearest person with no cell service, near the ID-NV border, one time. If we had broke down, it would have been a long long walk.

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