Starlink kit review
Given the interest of many in Starlink and the sudden possibility of my access to it, I want to take this opportunity to make a brief review. I got a kit with a rectangular antenna, which comes in a more expensive version. Also, in my case, there is an Ethernet adapter, which can be ordered for $50.
Starlink specifications and dimensions can be checked at the manufacturer’s website.
Starlink kit
After opening the box, we are greeted by a piece of paper with the SpaceX logo, which occupies the entire room inside.
We take it away and see:
Under this bizarre design, our kit is waiting for us.
The first thing you can see is the “four-legged” stand. A plastic mold was carefully placed between it and the antenna itself to prevent friction and scratches on both sides.
We remove the stand and get the antenna itself.
It’s very easy to connect the stand to the antenna. From one side there is the clamp and it’s impossible to connect them using the wrong side. But there is a nuance. First, you need to connect the cable, and only then assemble the antenna, otherwise, it will not connect.
After removing the antenna from the box, we see a piece of paper with a picture-instruction for connecting all the parts together.
Behind it you can see the rest of the kit, i.e. a WiFi router/modem (hereinafter simply “modem”), cables: network and the one to connect the antenna to the modem, a piece of paper with all sorts of regulatory data. That’s all.
The most interesting thing is that among the languages present in the paper there is Russian and there is no Ukrainian, which once again proves that our market was not very interested in SpaceX before the full-scale invasion.
In addition, the Ethernet adapter comes separately. Do not pay attention to the tape. I have already noted it in this way because there are several of them and we must somehow distinguish between them.
Preparing the kit for launch
After the inspection, you can assemble everything. All connections have a specific key shape to prevent incorrect connections.
Also, there are additional rubber seals that prevent moisture from entering the joint.
According to the standard scheme, the assembled set consists of an antenna > a power modem > power supply. That is, the assembling will take a few minutes.
But due to the additional adapter that plugs between the antenna and the modem, my configuration is a little different from the standard one.
The adapter has the same connectors as the trunk cable and modem because it plugs into the gap as mentioned above.
Once connected to the power supply, its status can be seen with a white LED built into the bottom of the modem.
Preparation and search for satellites
For all the assembled equipment to give us access to the Internet, we need to properly locate and install the branded application. So go to the Play Market or App Store and install Starlink.
There is a nuance with the application. In the Play Market, it is not available for every Android smartphone, because the budget working model was one of them. Even transferring the APK file did not help (of course, there was little hope, but it was worth checking).
Something is missing from this application and it is unknown what exactly because it meets the requirements for the Android version. There may be a lack of a sensor and therefore the application may not function fully. So, first, check if you have the app available in the Play Market to be ready in advance. In addition, the application has only an English interface.
After the first activation and download of the modem, launch the application and we are greeted by a screen where you can immediately set the parameters of the Wi-Fi access point. But for this, the application will first ask you to connect to it.
If you skip this step, the default settings will be applied.
It is also possible to log in to the Starlink profile immediately, if you have one, or create a new one. The work itself or the launch of the kit is not affected by the account, but provides additional options.
Maybe that was only our case because as far as I have heard about Ukraine, Starlink has no restrictions and tariffs. So I write as it is. Maybe someone knows for sure and will add in the comments.
Then it will take us to the main screen.
Here is the name of the access point, the current state of the equipment and some other things, which we will review below.
After searching for satellites and going online, a warning about сombat action appears.
The servomotor built into the antenna itself regulates its position in space to have the best signal.
But to have the best positioning and signal, the application has several utilities that can help. Their icons are located just below the status of the network.
The first is Visibility
If you click on the icon, we get to the section that will help us understand the presence of obstacles and the quality of the area in which the antenna field will work. To do this, stand next to the antenna or where you want to place it and follow the prompts on the screen. So we pick up the smartphone and “collect green bubbles”.
The second icon is Range
With this section, you can determine the quality of the Wi-Fi signal. The instructions state that you need to walk around the site and collect statistics, after which it will give the result. Thus, you can move the modem and check the quality of coverage. In my case, this is not relevant.
And the third is Speed
As the name implies, this is a speed test. Here, the screenshots will speak for themselves.
Below are the utility icons corresponding to their titles sections:
- Network
- Statistics
- Settings
As for the Settings section, you can see the Stow/Unstow commands (in fact it is the same “button” that changes its state, depending on the position of the antenna).
They are responsible for placing the antenna in the parked/operating position accordingly. That is, before assembling the kit or moving it, you should do Stow.
***
Finally, I will add that there were several disconnections and the disappearance of the Internet for a while, but it seems (the trend I have not quite understood, due to lack of statistics on my part) that this may happen in the first 10 minutes after connection. Due to my absence at this time near the antenna, I am not sure that it did not change its position at this time, in order to switch to another segment/satellite of the network.
Also, there is a nuance with Unstow, because after clicking the appropriate item, the command works with a very long delay,so you should just wait.
An interesting detail about the factory reset. To do it, if there is a need to start all over again, you need to plug/unplug the power plug into the socket as soon as possible at least 3 times, but with an interval of 2-3 seconds, as the application tells you if something does not work. But be prepared for the fact that the first time is unlikely to work.
P.S. All screenshots were taken at different times, in different sets and locations. So don’t be surprised by the differences and discrepancies in the information on them.