Starlink

[tlawrence84]

I have a need for decent internet whilst using my caravan, relying on the wifi at campsites or 5g from a mobile tether is just not suitable. I have decided to use starlink due to its decent download and upload speeds that should be achievable (as opposed to just marketing "receive up to" values). Before I take the plunge and purchase this however, I have a couple of questions from anyone that may have used this in a caravan:

Mini or standard?
Pros for mini - smaller, uses less power
Cons for mini - limited to about 100mbs download speed, Router is in the starlink receiver, will the caravan act as a faraday cage and block the wifi signal from the router?
Pros for standard - Router is separate so will be inside the caravan, Faster download speed (up to about 250mbps), £100 cheaper than mini
Cons for standard - Larger, uses more power (although in real world tests this might actually be negligible, plus I have ecoflow to power it)

How to mount it?
I have a Bailey Unicorn 2 berth, space that is flat on the roof. I would want to secure it as a £300 or £400 item could easily go for a walk if left unattended. I don't really want to drill holes to permanently mount the receiver though. There is a magnetic mount, where you attach magnets with 3M back and attach it to the roof that way, but i'm not sure if the lack of ability to rotate it will cause a problem

 

[GUMPY]

Be warned the mini is much slower than the standard.
I often see speeds way in excess of what the mini can produce, just using a decent 5g mobile router.
Today through the mobile router with 4 and 5g from the phone below.
Cost is £7.50 a month 😎
Starlink is not for me.

 

[tlawrence84]

That's exactly what I thought about the mini, that and the fact that the router is separate on the standard is what I am most likely going to go for. I can't go with 5g though as I need guaranteed connection and speed. I'll be working remotely from the caravan, and playing an online game with video calls (dungeons and dragons). I've already trialled 5g and although it worked on a couple of sites using my phone as a tether, it could stream netflix but didn't work at all for my calls.

I just need some tips on mounting a starlink now I think, you've validated my thoughts about which to go for, so many thanks for that

 

[Jcloughie]

This has been discussed before, might be some useful info.

Starlink

There are a few threads about TV reception, satellite TV setups and so on. But has anyone taken the jump to purchase something like Starlink for 'high speed internet on the go'? I'm in a flexible retirement mode, so still Zoom call commitments etc, but with lovely long gaps inbetween. On...

forums.practicalcaravan.com

John

 

[Buckman]

In all our time using the caravan only once did we try the site wifi and it was rubbish. We were quite happy with 4G as could down load films etc no issue.

 

[otherclive]

In all our time using the caravan only once did we try the site wifi and it was rubbish. We were quite happy with 4G as could down load films etc no issue.

We did similar, but the OP plans to work from the caravan so a fast reliable system is required 24/7.

 

[GUMPY]

We did similar, but the OP plans to work from the caravan so a fast reliable system is required 24/7.

Starlink is fine until the system owner decides to turn it off🤔

 

[tlawrence84]

This has been discussed before, might be some useful info.

Starlink

There are a few threads about TV reception, satellite TV setups and so on. But has anyone taken the jump to purchase something like Starlink for 'high speed internet on the go'? I'm in a flexible retirement mode, so still Zoom call commitments etc, but with lovely long gaps inbetween. On...

forums.practicalcaravan.com

John

Hi John, yea i saw that thread but the only mounting comment i saw on it was to use a pole. I'm currently thinking just poking it through the roof vent and placing it on the roof of the caravan, but then would need to find a way to get the cable inside for the router without having a window permanently open, this is likely going to need a big hole drilled in the wall of the caravan to fit a new box with a hole in it.

 

[tlawrence84]

We did similar, but the OP plans to work from the caravan so a fast reliable system is required 24/7.

Yea exactly that, i'll be taking work calls which is a video call on MS Teams, aswell as doing video calls in the evenings to play dungeons and dragons. I know a caravan holiday is to get away from all the tech, but the style of trip I like to do means I'll be in a field several days at a time, taking the dog for a walk during the day etc, then the evenings i'll want to keep myself entertained, and the internet is key for that. I've already tried with 5g off my mobile, but the reception i've previously received is just not up to it

 

[Jcloughie]

Hi John, yea i saw that thread but the only mounting comment i saw on it was to use a pole. I'm currently thinking just poking it through the roof vent and placing it on the roof of the caravan, but then would need to find a way to get the cable inside for the router without having a window permanently open, this is likely going to need a big hole drilled in the wall of the caravan to fit a new box with a hole in it.

Coax sized cables can usually come in through closed windows or windows which are on the catch. Or perhaps make an access point within the battery box.

John

 

[GUMPY]

I've already tried with 5g off my mobile, but the reception i've previously received is just not up to it

5g using your mobile is a world away from a proper 4/5g router with a decent antenna.

 

[sfh]

Hi John, yea i saw that thread but the only mounting comment i saw on it was to use a pole. I'm currently thinking just poking it through the roof vent and placing it on the roof of the caravan, but then would need to find a way to get the cable inside for the router without having a window permanently open, this is likely going to need a big hole drilled in the wall of the caravan to fit a new box with a hole in it.

Could you put a longer cable between roof and router and bring in through battery box?