Starlink Mini raised mounting

[gklott]

Shown is our latest method to get Starlink Mini above our E19’s roof. Mast is 2” OD, 1/8” wall, 2 ft long Penninger aluminum Snap Tube sections with flanged joiner between mast sections. The base mount is a 2” flag pole hitch receiver mount. As shown with five mast sections, the Mini antenna’s height is 11-1/2 ft. above ground. The 2 ft mast lengths make for easy storage. The Mini’s pole adapter is the robust Tiuihi 2” pole adapter, not the Starlink pole adapter that comes with the Mini kit. The Mini’s power source is the 12V to USB-C (PD 100W) adapter shown in our trailer’s rear 12V outlet. I use a 5m USB-C to Mini cable. The bungie around the spare tire is to stop mast rattle and wiggle. Takes about 5 minutes to assemble. Have observed that raising the Mini is not always the best to avoid obstructions. We also use the mast for amateur radio antennas.

 

[Ron in BC]

Seems like, usually, higher is better. I think that Mike Lewis has his antennas about 23' off the ground.

Mike, what are you thinking about for your new Starlink?

Ron

 

[gklott]

Seems like, usually, higher is better. I think that Mike Lewis has his antennas about 23' off the ground.

Mike, what are you thinking about for your new Starlink?

Ron

Starlink antenna placement is all about obstructions. As shown, we had significant obstructions from the tree canopy. By placing the Mini on the ground and moving it about 15 ft behind our E19, there were far fewer obstructions. We’ve used the Mini atop a camera tripod away from our E19, but it blew over without a heavy ballast. When using the mast for our ham radio antennas, we put our VHF/UHF antenna up with 16 ft of mast. That’s been tall enough for us so far.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Seems like, usually, higher is better. I think that Mike Lewis has his antennas about 23' off the ground.

Mike, what are you thinking about for your new Starlink?

Ron

Ron - I have been using my Mini at home on top of an aluminum telescoping mast that tops out at around 15 feet. I had it just clear the roof at home. My roof is metal, so I bought the Starlink weather-resistant Ethernet cable and disabled the Mini's wifi router. It works so-so-- I wouldn't abandon fiber optic for home use Internet for it.

Today I left for a trip to Orlando. I'll be here for about a week. I brought the Mini dish and its mast along on a test run. I want to see how much power it draws. I'll set it up tomorrow and see what happens. (Tonight I'm using a phone hotspot for Internet connection.)

 

[Mike Lewis]

Starlink antenna placement is all about obstructions. As shown, we had significant obstructions from the tree canopy. By placing the Mini on the ground and moving it about 15 ft behind our E19, there were far fewer obstructions. We’ve used the Mini atop a camera tripod away from our E19, but it blew over without a heavy ballast. When using the mast for our ham radio antennas, we put our VHF/UHF antenna up with 16 ft of mast. That’s been tall enough for us so far.

Gus- are you using the Mini's wifi router or are you using an Ethernet cable connected to a router inside your trailer?
Also, did you attend Quartzfest this year? I didn't go this year but I will leave for a trip to the Southwest in about a month.

 

[gklott]

Gus- are you using the Mini's wifi router or are you using an Ethernet cable connected to a router inside your trailer?
Also, did you attend Quartzfest this year? I didn't go this year but I will leave for a trip to the Southwest in about a month.

We went from a Gen 2 antenna/router to Mini for simplicity, size, and lower power. We are using the Mini’s internal router for that reason. Mini consumes 11-15W (~1A). Looked at Gen 3 router and standard antenna, but the power draw is 3 to 4 times higher for the moderate performance improvement.

Did not make Quartzfest this year. Stayed at Buckskin Mountain SP the week after Quartzfest.

73/gus

 

[Mike Lewis]

I mounted the Starlink Mini dish onto my telescoping mast and put the mast in a length of PVC that is fastened to the trailer's spare tire carrier. I connected a long Ethernet cable to the antenna, connected the power line, and raised the mast so it was just above the roofline of the trailer, similar to how I have it mounted at home. I routed the Ethernet connection inside the trailer and plugged the other end into an Anker hub, then connected the hub to my laptop via USB-C. I didn't think this would work, but it does.

So with this setup I don't have a router and local wifi. I need a compact router that doesn't draw too much power but has all the latest protocols and can run on 12V. Any suggestions?

 

[gklott]

So with this setup I don't have a router and local wifi. I need a compact router that doesn't draw too much power but has all the latest protocols and can run on 12V. Any suggestions?

We use the Ubiquiti UniFi Express in our home. USB-C powered, ~10W max. Excellent management software for iPhone. All latest protocols, and Ubiquiti is top line that I’ve deployed in two commercial, solar powered trailers.

 

[Mike Lewis]

We use the Ubiquiti UniFi Express in our home. USB-C powered, ~10W max. Excellent management software for iPhone. All latest protocols, and Ubiquiti is top line that I’ve deployed in two commercial, solar powered trailers.

Good, thanks.
Please tell us more about your Tiuihi pole adapter.

 

[gklott]

Please tell us more about your Tiuihi pole adapter.

Adapter has much longer tube to mount over the 2" mast. Has 6 screws to tighten against the mast. Mount form fits smoothly into the Mini base and snaps into place. Overall seems well made. https://a.co/d/23JUMHL

 

[Mike Lewis]

Thanks again, Gus. This and the router information are very useful to me.

 

[JohnK-ESC]

We are having good mini performance using the supplied pole mount with a camera tri pod adapter. It is all mounted on a Wal Mart cutting board which can swivel 360 degrees and and for now is located just behind the awning in the roof top flat trough. It is not visible from the ground, is very stable and wind resistant as well. Had high winds here at Quartzsite yesterday through which the mini remained in place and stable. I carry a section of ladder short enough to fit in the pickup bed but long enough to get me up to the roof.
John

 

[gklott]

It is all mounted on a Wal Mart cutting board which can swivel 360 degrees and and for now is located just behind the awning in the roof top flat trough.

Nice idea. Where do you get your power and still keep the Mini hidden? Are you able to relocate the Mini if the Houghton obstructs the alignment direction, or does the Houghton not cause any noticeable obstruction?

73/gus

 

[JohnK-ESC]

I brought DC power using 14 awg wire from an available slot on the DC fuse board fused with a 5 amp fuse and routed through the old lead acid battery vent hole. The cable from there to the roof is not hidden. Included in that circuit is a 12 volt to 24 volt booster to compensate for the long wire run for when I need to use a 40 foot cable. And I mounted a switch above the stove top along with my inverter switch and tank level indicators.

As for the AC being an obstruction, I can deal with that by relocating the unit anywhere along that trough including beyond either end of the AC.

John

 

[gklott]

Configuration with Cushcraft AR-270 dual-band VHF/UHF antenna atop the mast with Starlink Mini on a standoff. Little hard to see antenna in the trees, but it’s clear when you zoom in. The AR-270 offers reasonable performance, and it conveniently breaks down into 2’ sections like the mast.

 

[gklott]

Latest version for when E19 rear is facing kind of north. 2 ft + 1 ft mast sections makes Mini sit nicely just below the windows. Super simple to do.