Choosing the Right Equipment and Accessories for Your Dish Setup

Dish placement and installation can greatly affect your overall experience with Starlink Internet. Choosing the right equipment and accessories for your dish setup is crucial in guaranteeing that you get uninterrupted and stable connectivity.

In this guide, we will explore different options you can consider when setting up your Starlink dish and the factors to consider to make an informed decision.

 

Visibility and Obstruction

One of the primary factors to consider when setting up your Starlink dish is visibility and obstruction. You will need to use your Starlink app to easily detect any obstructions that may hinder your dish's performance. Trees, buildings, and other physical structures can block the line of sight between your dish and the satellite. In such cases, you may need to consider mounting options or use extenders and repeaters to overcome these obstacles. In other cases, you may need to move your dish entirely to a different location with a clear line of sight.

 

Equipment and Accessories

Again, depending on the environment where you plan to install your dish, you may need additional equipment and accessories. Here's a compact list of the things you may need:

Ethernet port. 

If you plan on using wired connections, you will need to consider the distance between your dish and where you intend to connect your devices. For example, the Generation 2 dish only comes with a 22.86-metre (75ft) ethernet cable. If you need a longer cable, you may need to purchase one separately, the size being 45.72 metres (150ft). Past this mark, you may need to move your dish so that it's closer to your devices. If you're going with the 45.72-metre (150ft) cable option, do purchase it at the same time as your dish to ensure compatibility and seamless connectivity.

 

Short vs long mounts. 

This will depend on the overhang of your roof and the distance between where you will mount your dish and the wall. Buildings with small overhangs may need short wall mounts, while longer ones will be suitable for buildings with large overhangs.

 

Pivot mounts vs ground pole mounts. 

Pivot mounts are suitable for roof installations - they're designed for outdoor use, are rust-resistant, and adjustable. Ground pole mounts are ideal ground-level installations - you can even use them in your backyard. One of the best features of pole mounts is that at the click of a button, you can quickly remove the dish for easy access during maintenance, relocation, or emergency.

 

Masonry mounting kits and cable routing kit. 

These options come in handy when you need to run cables through walls or bricks. Masonry routing kits are ideal for interiors with concrete walls. Cable mounting kits, on the other hand, are suitable for running cables through wood and drywall.

 

Extenders or repeaters. 

Starlink routers are designed for medium-sized homes and offices. However, depending on the studs and walls in your home, you may need to consider extenders. Metal studs, for example, can hinder signal strength, so going through multiple walls may reduce the quality of your connection. In such cases, you can purchase a few extenders to ensure that your entire home or office is adequately covered.