Starlink

[Pixguy]

I have an RV unit mounted on my roof.

Not sure I'd want to climb my roof every time we head out in the rv.

 

[plowhog]

During times of peak network congestion,

a term which is not defined.

Hopeful users who are buying in will hope to anticipate slower speeds maybe during daytime, or at worst 4-7pm local. But it opens the door that "peak congestion" could be something as ridiculous as 22 hrs/day except btwn 2-4am. Probably not, but the speeds have slowed a *lot* lately. Including my speed at 4am.

Peter and I have residential systems, which are not de-prioritized, yet we have both recently seen speeds down to 6mb. How is a de-prioritized user going to fare when "regular" users are at 6mb? Not sure.

The irony is ... the more successful this marketing angle is ... the faster the growth and expansion of what "peak congestion" hours really means. And it seems we are in a world where every new user coming on line has the potential to slow others down. Maybe that will change in the future as more satellites come on line.

 

[sodamo]

Just read somewhere (Reddit) that there are hundreds of satellites already launched in the process of being repositioned which would add significant capacity over next couple of months.

 

[ponytug]

Just read somewhere (Reddit) that there are hundreds of satellites already launched in the process of being repositioned which would add significant capacity over next couple of months.

It is a continuous process with Starlink. They launch fifty or so at a time and the satellites take 3-5 months to move to their final orbits and heights. The initial launch orbits are quite low so defective satellites will de-orbit quickly.

Starlink orbits trains of seventy two or so satellites in a single inclination to the poles, and at varying spaces around the earth, and at slightly different altitudes. So, Starlink can't turn on a satellite at a time, they need to turn on a whole train, and that only happens when the satellites are all up, and evenly spaced, which takes months. Some orbits are SW/NE, and some are NW/SE, crisscrossing to give coverage at each "cell" on earth. There is a shell to cover the poles.

You can see an animation of the current satellites here;

Starlink - dynamic 3D orbit display

Satellite predictions and other astronomical data customised for your location.

heavens-above.com

The lines of closely spaced satellites are just launched trains slowly raising their altitudes.

To add capacity, you need to think in terms of whole orbital groups of 1440(ish). Once all 1440 are in orbit, they provide global coverage, and you can turn them on to add capacity.
Here are the current shells;

• First shell: 1,440 in a 550 km (341.8 mi) altitude shell at 53.0° inclination
• Second shell: 1,440 in a 540 km (335.5 mi) shell at 53.2° inclination
• Third shell: 720 in a 570 km (354.2 mi) shell at 70° inclination
• Fourth shell: 336 in a 560 km (348.0 mi) shell at 97.6° inclination
• Fifth shell: 172 satellites in a 560 km (348.0 mi) shell at 97.6° inclination

 

[plowhog]

T-Mobile phones will connect to Starlink starting next year

SpaceX's Elon Musk and T-Mobile's Mike Sievert announced the "technology alliance" at the space company's Starbase in Texas.

techcrunch.com

 

[JethroB]

That's difficult to answer. Because any speed test is only a test of the connection speed on the specific path between your system and the one particular endpoint of the speed test site. And there is nothing to base "is it accurate" on except a comparison to your own testing against that same exact test site and endpoint server over time.

My suggestion is to pick one speed test site that you like and stick with it. Always choose the same endpoint (usually listed as a city name). Then keep track of your speeds over time. The actually number doesn't really mean a lot, but the variance from your average test result is what is insightful.

Just be aware that there are TONS of variables that impact connection speeds. You're on a shared network on your ISP (Starlink) and your ISP routes you to the Internet which is also a shared system. Time of day, day of week, events happening in your area or across the country at the time can all be impactors.

Thanks. I use a nearby university IT department (75 miles) server as a test site for StarLink thinking it may be independent vs. some ISP provider. Dunno.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Not sure I'd want to climb my roof every time we head out in the rv.

It will soon get replaced with the “best effort” system that shipped. It’s not hard to get to with a ladder.

I think they have more dishes sitting around they want to sell while the service catches up, hence “best effort”.

My RV unit is on a separate account than the home unit, so I foresee some installation problems. I hope it’s easy to move the mesh unit over.

 

[BigBlue1]

T-Mobile phones will connect to Starlink starting next year

SpaceX's Elon Musk and T-Mobile's Mike Sievert announced the "technology alliance" at the space company's Starbase in Texas.

techcrunch.com

That's really interesting. Never knew they could do cellular band at that distance.

 

[plowhog]

My RV unit is on a separate account than the home unit, so I foresee some installation problems.

If you can, I suggest using a different phone to set up the 2nd unit. Then keep track of which phone is "paired" with which SL system. (Even though they are not supposed to do that ....)

Might be a smoother experience.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I have been reading thru everything I could find online about the kit to try to source the things I will need to mount it on the roof. Such as, what is the length of the cable that comes in the kit? 75 feet? and what about the power cable. I was originally planning on putting a pole out in front of the house, but that would require a trench across the drive, I don't think I could do it with only 150 feet distance.
I am going to use the S-5 standing seam mount kit. I am sure there will be some other pieces I have to buy. not sure if the pivot mount is what I need to attach it to the roof mount kit.