Starlink Mini, Does it FIT under the sunroof privacy shade?

[daczone]

Just picked up a Starlink mini to install on my sunroof. Anyone know if it fits under the sunroof shade? Any install picks?

Edit: I realized this was a stupid question.... If fits... until you open the sunroof, then it's in the way.

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[K6CCC]

If you mean install the Starlink under the sunroof glass, you will likely find that does not work well. Most of the modern additions to glass that makes it block sunlight, also blocks Radio Frequencies. This is particularly true for reflectorized glass that is very commonly used in building construction.

 

[daczone]

If you mean install the Starlink under the sunroof glass, you will likely find that does not work well. Most of the modern additions to glass that makes it block sunlight, also blocks Radio Frequencies. This is particularly true for reflectorized glass that is very commonly used in building construction.

I realized this was a stupid question.... If fits... until you open the sunroof, then it's in the way.

BUT it fits on the dash.

It has a perfect view of the sky

Picture (Lots of reflection of the crap in my shop) looking down on the front windshield.

Which gets great results.


Looks like I will be 3d printing a mount for it there.

I need this for work. Not to drive around and be connected, but to have connectivity in remote locations.

 

[GDN]

If you mean install the Starlink under the sunroof glass, you will likely find that does not work well. Most of the modern additions to glass that makes it block sunlight, also blocks Radio Frequencies. This is particularly true for reflectorized glass that is very commonly used in building construction.

I would say this might be true for a Tesla roof or a new Lexus Opaque roof (changes with the push of a button) but Ford sunroofs and those on our trucks haven't blocked anything in years. Ford has seriously spent little to nothing to make these sunroofs prevent anything from coming through.

 

[vvgogh]

If you mean install the Starlink under the sunroof glass, you will likely find that does not work well. Most of the modern additions to glass that makes it block sunlight, also blocks Radio Frequencies. This is particularly true for reflectorized glass that is very commonly used in building construction.

If that were true, your cell phone wouldn't work being surrounded by glass and aluminum. Not in our F-150s.

That said, Starlink uses 10.7-12.7 GHz for downlink and 12.75-13.25 GHz, 13.85-14.5 GHz for uplink. The higher Starlink frequency will see more loss than cell phones.

 

[trev5150]

I realized this was a stupid question.... If fits... until you open the sunroof, then it's in the way.

BUT it fits on the dash.

It has a perfect view of the sky

Picture (Lots of reflection of the crap in my shop) looking down on the front windshield.

Which gets great results.


Looks like I will be 3d printing a mount for it there.

I need this for work. Not to drive around and be connected, but to have connectivity in remote locations.

Unless you’re really concerned about having it stolen in said remote locations then this is completely unnecessary. The Starlink is designed to be placed and left out in all weather conditions.

 

[AZT9]

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6736755

 

[roddiaz1]

Don’t you guys find that the Starlink pad/antenna needs to be tilted “just so” to get a good signal. I see other using it flat against the sunroof or flat on dash. I’ve tried that and it wants a tilt towards the NE.
Am I doing something wrong?

 

[K6CCC]

Unless you’re really concerned about having it stolen in said remote locations then this is completely unnecessary. The Starlink is designed to be placed and left out in all weather conditions.

As I understand the original question, the intent is to use the Starlink IN the vehicle (maybe while under way).

 

[hturnerfamily]

I realize that this is a conversation/questions about Starlink, as some may feel the need for it if spending a lot of time in very rural areas, especially in the west...

we use a simple device: T-Mobile whole home internet "in a box", of sorts, as it is simply a plug-in device that provides an easy "always on" wifi signal: $50 monthly.

I have been amazed that this device works almost anywhere we go - it plugs into the truck, or our camper, or at home, and is always on. It only takes a 120v outlet, whether at home, in the camper, or while driving in the LIGHTNING. No cables. No coax. Nothing.


having traveled the country in our diesel motorhome several times back in the 2014-2020 timeframe, we experienced the 'woes' of trying to always have an internet connection. Campgrounds struggled to 'provide' some type of wifi, or, well, in the really early days, the more typical "we have wifi here at the office", then providing some basic wifi to the campground sites, which wasn't always sufficient for even checking email, and, of course, barring ANYONE from trying to 'stream' anything...
we had some time trying to use some type of 'antenna' to capture the internet, but, back in the day, those were costly, slow, capped, and not always available if not in the 'full' clear sky. Camping is usually in the woods... oh well. Satellite TV was similar.

when cell phone HOT SPOTS became available, and much easier, these made a lot more sense, and were a lot easier, although the Hot Spot 'caps' and cost made this an issue, as well...

there have been a LOT of changes in the world of the internet in 10 years.

and, to put this in perspective, as we have it 'so easy' now... many campgrounds still have vestiges of the 'old' technology... not only 'cable tv' coax outputs, but, yes, PHONE SERVICE outlets... yes, the type where you plug in a REAL phone......... : / .........times are a changin'

 

[trev5150]

As I understand the original question, the intent is to use the Starlink IN the vehicle (maybe while under way).

Except he stated in the third post that it was not for while driving.

 

[Jamchampnate]

Unless you’re really concerned about having it stolen in said remote locations then this is completely unnecessary. The Starlink is designed to be placed and left out in all weather conditions.

Did you ever make a mount for this?

 

[trev5150]

Did you ever make a mount for this?

I don’t have Starlink myself. We had the original full size for field ops at my last gig.

 

[drewfaulk]

I can confirm the Starlink Mini will fit between the glass and shade (i.e. shade closes) with this mount in the Lightning (and receives a signal without issue):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT5QN9BR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

You have to put it on the back (stationary) panel, as the distance between the shade and glass gets "shallower" the closer to the front of the vehicle you get. You cannot open the sunroof glass more than 6-8 inches when installed, and you cannot tell it is there when the shade is closed.

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