Internet on the water

[Caballero II]

OK. I think OC Drive answered my question, if I understood correctly. Rather than the dishy working full time to chase satellites, just let it point straight up and it will find enough to function. Right???

 

[Rusty]

Here is a very good video explaining how Starlink works.

A bit long but well worth the time.

 

[SteveK]

The RV mobile has the motor so it can search after the camper stops overnight. But once on land it finds a satelite it does not need to move. I tested mine at home and it stayed in a fixed position for a few weeks once it gets a signal. Satelites move, it gets a hand off to the next much like cell towers.

Adapted to boats resulted in the flat hack and I understand it holds connection better overall.

 

[slowgoesit]

We've had our Starlink for two years now. We disabled the tilt motors in October while in Ensenada, MX. Dish no longer "searches" around while in motion, or at anchor, and we've noticed no degradation of signal whatsoever.

 

[Ken E.]

We've had our Starlink for two years now. We disabled the tilt motors in October while in Ensenada, MX. Dish no longer "searches" around while in motion, or at anchor, and we've noticed no degradation of signal whatsoever.

Could you describe how you disabled the Gen 2 dish tilt? Did you need to cut into the underside of the dish?

 

[Portage_Bay]

YouTube shows several methods. From drilling holes to cutting the entire back off and 3D printing a new back. Pick your poison. Lots of YouTubers seem to have success.

Could you describe how you disabled the Gen 2 dish tilt? Did you need to cut into the underside of the dish?

 

[SteveK]

Could you describe how you disabled the Gen 2 dish tilt? Did you need to cut into the underside of the dish?

 

[Ken E.]

Thanks Steve. Not very invasive.

 

[The Brockerts]

Pepwave max transit router and matching antenna system. 4 different inputs as needed/failover (ATT Business account, T-Mobile, Marina Wi-Fi, Verizon), 4G, 4G LTE-A, 5G, basically $60 a month, unlimited, speeds avg 50Mbps down, 20Mbps up, NordVPN, Solid setup for work.

The Brockerts

 

[Hippocampus]

At present at long as you’re not doing high lat hard to beat Starlink. But Oneweb maybe be a sleeper. They do offer a maritime version and even a yacht version. It is worldwide coverage. Not in the market now so don’t know if it’s cost competitive.

 

[SeaDogAK]

For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen a reason to disable the motors. My dish generally points south in SE Alaska, but it seldom moves around, and I’ve never had a problem with losing signal. All the effort devoted to disabling motors seems like a solution in search of a problem. At least in my experience, YMMV.

 

[slowgoesit]

Could you describe how you disabled the Gen 2 dish tilt? Did you need to cut into the underside of the dish?

We did as SteveK posted in Post 37. Drilled the hole, reached in, disconnected the plug for the motors. Taped over the hole with metal foil tape. Done.

The hardest part was getting the dish flat (parallel to the earth, with the mounting post perpendicular to the boat). That took several times of rebooting the antenna and attempting to unplug the cord at exactly the right time. . . . .

 

[SteveK]

We did as SteveK posted in Post 37. Drilled the hole, reached in, disconnected the plug for the motors. Taped over the hole with metal foil tape. Done.

The hardest part was getting the dish flat (parallel to the earth, with the mounting post perpendicular to the boat). That took several times of rebooting the antenna and attempting to unplug the cord at exactly the right time. . . . .

For the next person, turn the dish upside down while plugged in and powered until the mounting arm points to the sky, then unplug.
At least that is what I heard.