Starlink

[BigBlue1]

And now a "Well phooey!" moment.

I received an email this morning from Starlink telling me that I was eligible for ordering. Yay! I jumped on the Starlink website, which informed me that Starlink was not yet available in my area. Crushed. :bawling:

Back to waiting for an exit from slow and unstable DSL. Tick, tock...

Phooey!

All the best,

Peter

Did you use the exact same address in the sign-up search as you used when registering for the beta? If so, then you probably didn't get in fast enough and other folks nabbed the limited number of available slots in your area.

 

[ponytug]

Did you use the exact same address in the sign-up search as you used when registering for the beta? If so, then you probably didn't get in fast enough and other folks nabbed the limited number of available slots in your area.

I did. The message said not available yet, not that they had run out of slots. I had preordered as well, so I did rather expect a message that said "Pay the balance", rather than order now.

I was on the website within a few minutes of the email, but not instantly so I guess it is possible that I missed "the window".

Here is the message;

Starlink is now available for order to a limited number of users in your coverage area. Placing your order now will hold your place in line for future service. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.​

So it sounded like a beta invite.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ponytug]

So .. what size pipe do they specify?

Here are a couple of links;
Starlink dimension summary
Photos with digital caliper

All the best,

Peter

 

[ernemats]

I did. The message said not available yet, not that they had run out of slots. I had preordered as well, so I did rather expect a message that said "Pay the balance", rather than order now.

I was on the website within a few minutes of the email, but not instantly so I guess it is possible that I missed "the window".

Here is the message;

Starlink is now available for order to a limited number of users in your coverage area. Placing your order now will hold your place in line for future service. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.​

So it sounded like a beta invite.

All the best,

Peter

my son got the same message Wednesday from Starlink. I have already put the $99. down so I guess I don't get that message

 

[ponytug]

my son got the same message Wednesday from Starlink. I have already put the $99. down so I guess I don't get that message

I had already put the $99 down, which is what had me so excited.

Sigh.

 

[John_Mc]

Can the antenna be "pole mounted" like our present Excede Dish?

Our roof is standing seam metal and I'm not inclined to make any additional penetrations in it.

Yes, they sell a pole mount adapter for it.

They do not yet sell a standing seam mount, but it is not necessary to make any penetrations in your standing seam roof to mount it. Just use S-5! clamps to clamp a mount on to the seams. If they don't have their own standing seam mount out by late spring/summer when I'm ready to put mine up on our standing seam roof, I'm going to make my own mount. I'll use a couple of box tubes to span 3 seams or so and use the S-5! clamps to mount them to the seams. I'll bolt one of their "Volcano roof mounts" to the box tubes, and put the dish in the receptacle on the volcano mount.

I've installed hundreds of S-5! clamps when I worked for a solar PV installer a few years back. They are designed exactly for this sort of thing and do not damage the roof.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yes, they sell a pole mount adapter for it.

They do not yet sell a standing seam mount, but it is not necessary to make any penetrations in your standing seam roof to mount it. Just use S-5! clamps to clamp a mount on to the seams. If they don't have their own standing seam mount out by late spring/summer when I'm ready to put mine up on our standing seam roof, I'm going to make my own mount. I'll use a couple of box tubes to span 3 seams or so and use the S-5! clamps to mount then to the seams. I'll bolt one of their "Volcano roof mounts" to the box tubes, and put the dish in the receptacle on the volcano mount.

I've installed hundreds of S-5! clamps when I worked for a solar PV installer a few years back. They are designed exactly for this sort of thing and do not damage the roof.

Thanks for the info John. I've got to do my "advance homework" to see where the antenna would get best "view" of the satellites .. then .. make a plan.

I'd not previously considered the clamps .. good idea. I'm just not adding any penetrations to roof. The only leaks we experienced .. during Hurricane Harvey .. was around the roof vents for 2 tankless water heaters and the heat side of 3 HVAC units.

 

[BigBlue1]

I did. The message said not available yet, not that they had run out of slots. I had preordered as well, so I did rather expect a message that said "Pay the balance", rather than order now.

I was on the website within a few minutes of the email, but not instantly so I guess it is possible that I missed "the window".

Here is the message;

Starlink is now available for order to a limited number of users in your coverage area. Placing your order now will hold your place in line for future service. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.​

So it sounded like a beta invite.

All the best,

Peter

Quite different than the e-mail I received. I had previously just signed up to be notified 'if beta testing opportunities become available in your area'. On 2/9 I received:

Starlink is now available in limited supply in your service area.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.

As we launch more satellites, install more ground stations and improve our networking software, data speed, latency and uptime will improve dramatically. For latency, we expect to achieve 16ms to 19ms by summer 2021.
To check availability for your location, visit Starlink.com and re-enter your email and service address. If available, you will be immediately redirected to the Starlink order page.

Availability is limited so orders must be completed within 15 minutes of landing on the order page. If you are not able to order at this time, the Starlink team will continue to send updates as more capacity becomes available.

Thank you for your interest in Starlink and your continued support!

Surprisingly, it remained available through 2/16 when I finally ordered it. I had checked multiple times during that period as I was considering, postponing and then reconsidering. When I did order on 2/16 it was for full price of equipment, shipping and tax.

Rob

 

[ponytug]

Quite different than the e-mail I received. I had previously just signed up to be notified 'if beta testing opportunities become available in your area'. On 2/9 I received:

Surprisingly, it remained available through 2/16 when I finally ordered it. I had checked multiple times during that period as I was considering, postponing and then reconsidering. When I did order on 2/16 it was for full price of equipment, shipping and tax.

Rob

Many congratulations!

Thanks for sharing the actual text.

I am beginning to think that the email that I was sent was some sort of email blast left over from an early email list. Got my hopes up though!

All the best,

Peter

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks for the info John. I've got to do my "advance homework" to see where the antenna would get best "view" of the satellites .. then .. make a plan.

I'd not previously considered the clamps .. good idea. I'm just not adding any penetrations to roof. The only leaks we experienced .. during Hurricane Harvey .. was around the roof vents for 2 tankless water heaters and the heat side of 3 HVAC units.

Good idea. I'm making a plan on what trees im going to cut out, i have a few 100' firs that might have to go and i already have loads of firewood from the 100+ maple. I'm thinking/hoping i can put it on the corner of my deck, up on a short post or something. I don't think a roof install will work, as it's too close to the trees.