Starlink

[WoodChuckDad]

I used the app last night, standing next to the house, orienting myself so that my line of sight was passing across the area of the roof I would be mounting it. there is some obstruction toward the bottom of the screen, from tall pine trees. Does the dish continue to make minor movements, tracking satelites, or when it finds it's position, does it stay there? I am just wondering how much of an effect that lower obstruction will have.

 

[BrierPatch]

The dish does not track the satellites. It only moves when it sets its self up. The system is sensitive to obstructions. It will work, but will have minor interruptions depending on how much obstructions you have. My system was working acceptably until the leaves got on the trees. The interruptions got bad enough I had to move it.
Pics of the difference in obstructions from April & May. And then now after relocating it.

 

[ponytug]

I used the app last night, standing next to the house, orienting myself so that my line of sight was passing across the area of the roof I would be mounting it. there is some obstruction toward the bottom of the screen, from tall pine trees. Does the dish continue to make minor movements, tracking satelites, or when it finds it's position, does it stay there? I am just wondering how much of an effect that lower obstruction will have.

As @plowhog wrote, the antenna doesn't move once it is set up. It is a phased array antenna that electronic steers to follow the satellites.

However to find obstructions, you need to actually be where the antenna will be. If it will be on an eave at the north west corner of the third floor of the house, 2.5' above the roof, then that is where the phone has to be as you swivel it around to check for obstructions. I walked to a number possible places, got a feeling for what the likely problems where, but in the end, you do really need to be where the Starlink antenna will go. I did a bunch of roof walks, and in the end from the roof, I found a much easier/better site than I would have found from the ground. I have zero obstructions.

Be safe.

All the best,

Peter

 

[plowhog]

Recent reports of SL service interruptions in the mornings. But only in colder climates.

 

[cqaigy2]

Ha ha.

 

[JethroB]

Recent reports of SL service interruptions in the mornings. But only in colder climates.


View attachment 760102

I’ve had several cats show up lately. Some likely feral. I don’t have the heart to shoot them (yet) so I’m counting on this fellow. He is getting pizzed from others beating him to my table scraps.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I went up on the roof. Got these screen grabs.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

As you move away from the trees, you are going down hill. The only other place I couldnput the dish would be on a pole about 20yds south of the house. This is the app from the ground. I am sure it would be slightly clearer on a pole but I am not sure it would be worth the effort.

 

[plowhog]

My neighbor is in an awful location. A house sitting in a very small hole in a dense forest. I didn't think SL had any chance to work there. His system reports substantial obstructions and the phone app gave dismal results.

His performance blows away his old DSL. He has done wifi calling with no problems, and speed tests run from 4mbs to 80mbp or so. Very, very, very surprising to me.

So, you might put the antenna up and see what your results are. One wild card he has not yet dealt with is a signal when there is a snow load in the trees. I will try to get a screen grab of his obstructions page.

I noticed my antenna sort of tilts to the NE. So when I let him try my SL I put it at the edge of his hole in the forest to best take advantage of looking up toward that direction.

 

[ponytug]

As you move away from the trees, you are going down hill. The only other place I couldnput the dish would be on a pole about 20yds south of the house. This is the app from the ground. I am sure it would be slightly clearer on a pole but I am not sure it would be worth the effort.

Lots of folks have put Starlink antennas on poles or towers. Do you have anyway to get height at that location to check? E.g. drive your D9 over and climb on the roof? (Kidding.)

Do you have power down the hill?

If you don't have an obstruction free site for the Starlink antenna, you don't. You could always just toss the antenna on the roof, strapped down to some bricks or cinder blocks, see how you do, and go from there. As @plowhog's neighbor's experience shows, it may work just peachy anyway.

All the best,

Peter