STARLINK Satellite Internet

If you follow Elon Musk or TESLA Motors, you have probably heard about Starlink Internet from SPACEX.

Starlink is a new technology that is based upon Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.  There are thousands of the LEO satellites already in place, and these form a "constellation" that provides internet at speeds and latency that are similar to DSL or cable.  The constellation consists of thousands of satellites working in combination with ground transceivers.  They are not in a fixed position, but orbit around the earth, and the motorized dish follows their path from west to east.  You can actually see the constellation with a pair of binoculars.

Installing Starlink on your roof

STARLINK is sold by SPACEX as a self install kit.  The basic kit costs around $600, and you can add items such as a "Volcano mount" that is similar to a dish tv mount, but much shorter, or a Ethernet adapter if you plan to connect the STARLINK modem to an external router or mesh Wi-Fi system.

Things to consider if you are installing STARLINK yourself.

1. The dish will move a couple times a day.  It tracks the satellites along the northern horizon (make sure and use the STARLINK app to find obstructions in your path.  If you would like to re-use an old DIRECTV/DISHTV mount, for example, those point to the southern horizon, and often wont work.
2. LIMIT TREES!  The STARLINK App has an amazing tool "Check for Obstructions" that shows you the satellite obstructions from the ground.  We have found that the "oval" inside the app should be at least 90% free of obstructions for the best results.  We have found the higher you go on the roof, the less trees are in the oval. Download the app and test BEFORE you buy STARLINK.
3. The STARLINK dish is heated.  It uses a tiny amount of power and will melt the snow off.  It will also melt heavy snow, but it takes some time.
4. How are you going to get the cable into the house?  This really needs to be thought out before you install.  The plug on the end of the cable is wide and will need a  3/4 inch hole drilled in the wall.  WATCH WHERE YOU DRILL!  Walls contain gas pipes, water pipes and electrical wiring.  Hitting these can be fatal.  You can use a 3/4 spade bit to drill the hole. The included cable is 75 feet long.​
5. Always install from INSIDE TO OUTSIDE.  Drill your hole and pull the cable outside to where the dish will be mounted on the house. One end of the cable will NOT fit through a 3/4 inch hole. 
6. DO NOT cut or alter the STARLINK cable in any way.  There are ways to repair them if something goes wrong, but it voids your warranty.  Its better to have SPACEX just send you a new cable.​
7. The Volcano mount is a viable option on a flatter roof.  But be mindful of the roof pitch, it must be less than 40 degrees.  Also, because its short, do not put it in a place where snow will pile up underneath it on the roof as the dish needs to move all day long.  The higher on the roof you can place the Volcano the mount the better.   A "stubby" or short DIRECTV mount is superior in every way to the SPACEX mount as long as you have the correct adapter for it.
8. Be mindful of drilling holes in your roof.  Use the included sealant CORRECTLY, or you will have water problems.  Never run the cable through the roof.  This will cause water issues.

STARLINK Internet Speeds

We have been installing Starlink since October 2020 and speeds have been excellent.  The range of speeds has been broad, with speeds anywhere between 40mpbs and 350mpbs, depending on the time of day.  But as more satellites are put into orbit, the speed will get more consistent.

The two big advantages that Starlink has over traditional satellite internet (VIASAT or HughesNet) is  latency and unlimited data.  
​Latency measures the time the request is sent to the servers and the time it takes to get back and load in your web browser.  Lower is better (see chart).  

Starlink latency has been averaging between 20 and 50ms.  This is very similar to DSL or a slower cable connection.  Latency for traditional satellite is often 300-500 milliseconds. SpaceX has been receiving 9ms or lower latency in some of their new test sites in 2021.

How do I sign up for STARLINK Internet?

You must sign up on the STARLINK.com home page.  Once that is completed, and you have a date for your STARLINK kit to arrive, please contact us for installation.

This will be a great install window, given the size of the oval, this is less than 10% obstructed.

Not a recommended install location. You can still get service with a tree like this, but it will drop out 5-10 times a day (or more).

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Speed test from a Stillwater, MN install we performed two months ago.

Speed tests from users in Reddit forums.

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The "tripod the ground" install just isn't feasible in most locations in the northern US and Canada.  The Starlink dish is heated and can melt snow.

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The only spot on the roof that was free of obstructions required a boom lift.

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Commercial STARLINK we installed for the Minnesota Historical Society.

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Satellite Pros - STARLINK Installations

We offer professional Starlink installations at your home, business, boat or RV.
We can use the Starlink Volcano mount if you bought it from SPACEX, or we can repurpose a DISH mount to get it up and away from the snow on the roof.  Both work great!  
The cable will have the proper "drip loop" and the mount is perfectly level to the ground.
We will insure that the mounting and holes are watertight and will NOT leak.
We will drill the necessary 1 inch hole and bring the cable inside the house safely, and with a professional look.

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