Hello, my name is Noah Clarke. I originally became familiar with Starlink after signing up for the beta test. The house that I had just moved to didn't have many broadband internet options, only DSL. Starlink seemed like a good alternative.After using the service for some time, I noticed a need for tutorials and other information that could help people get the most out of the service. I started writing the Starlink Hardware blog in late 2021. At the time, I was an electronics technician. I have a bachelors of science degree in electronics engineering technology. My background in electronics and networking helped me create content about Starlink, answering common questions, and diving deep into modifications and other technical issues.Now, I write for Starlink Hardware full-time. My mission is to provide helpful information to Starlink users around the world.
I recently bought the “Standard Pivot Mount” from Starlink to try out. In this post, I’m going to share my installation experience, and give you my thoughts and impressions along the way. The Pivot Mount is designed to attach directly to a shingled roof. It’s called the Pivot Mount because the mounting tube is adjustable to virtually any roof angle. I bought the Gen 3 version, but Starlink also makes a Pivot Mount for the older Gen 2 Standard Actuated dish. I purchased this mount for $74. It’s available directly from Starlink, here is the product page. That price includes …
Starlink has offered several types of incentives over the years to attract new customers. In Europe, for example, they often run discounts on monthly subscription fees and hardware. One offer that occasionally pops up is the option to buy a refurbished dish instead of a brand new one. The refurbished kit is usually 30% off new, helping to soften the steep up-front cost of purchasing Starlink. The United States, Starlink’s largest market, has never gotten the chance to experience any of these incentives in the past. But now, all that changes. Starlink is offering a refurbished hardware option in the …
An interesting situation is unfolding in Africa right now. Since launching in late 2020, Starlink’s mission has been to provide high speed, low latency internet to areas where internet connectivity has not been available, is unreliable, or is too expensive. This is especially true for rural and underdeveloped areas of the world. At this point, Starlink operates a global service. They serve millions of customers around the world, on virtually every continent. Although coverage is technically global, Starlink only sells hardware and services to locations where they have local government authorization. On their website, Starlink allows you to easily check …
Starlink has been offering the Ridgeline Mount since the early days of the service, starting with the version for the original Gen 1 circular dish. Shortly after Gen 2 came out, they released an updated version for the new hardware. Now that Gen 3 is here, Starlink has updated the popular Ridgeline Mount again. In this post, I will be going over all the details of the Gen 3 Ridgeline Mount. I’ll let you know what this mount is for, what comes in the kit, and how to install it. I will also give you my thoughts and impressions along …
The setup process for Starlink is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is get everything out of the box, plug it in, find a clear view of the sky, and then connect to the Wifi. Now, Starlink is making it even easier. Starting initially in Ohio, Starlink will offer expert installation service for the Standard hardware on residential homes. I first saw the news while browsing a Starlink forum, and had to check it out for myself. If you browse the support section of the Starlink website, you will find an article about their expert installation service. From what …
If you’re one of the few people managing your Starlink system with the dish web portal, I have some bad news… Starlink has apparently turned off access to the built-in management portal hosted by all Starlink dishes. Despite the unfortunate date I am publishing this article, this is no April Fool’s day prank. Most Starlink customers use the iOS or Android app to install and manage their system. But since the beginning of Starlink, the dish had its own web management portal, accessible from any web browser connected to the Starlink network. The web portal could be accessed by browsing …
Starlink released several dish firmware updates last week, with some Gen 1 users now saying their system isn’t working properly. I started noticing social media reports last week, and they continued to flood in through the weekend. As of Monday morning, the issues has not been resolved. Here are a few social media posts about the issue: “I have the gen 1 starlink. I haven’t had a single issue using my Nighhawk router with it well over a year with it now. The other day it said connect without internet? It was a pretty cold day but nothing out of …
I was both excited and confused when I found a brand new Gen 3 accessory listed in the Starlink shop. Last month, we got the Gen 3 router and power supply wall mounts. Now, we get the latest version of the popular Ridgeline Mount, sort of… I’ll explain the last part in a bit, but first, let’s talk about the Ridgeline Mount and why it’s so great. The Gen 3 version is the same price as the others, $250. That price includes shipping, with the mount and the ballasts shipping in separate packages. Starlink has launched a Ridgeline Mount for …
In this video post, I talk about Starlink’s hidden service plan that is mentioned nowhere on their website. The “Standard – Discounted” plan is supposed to be only available for select rural addresses in the United States. But a huge loophole in the Starlink account management system allows…
The obstruction data in the Starlink app no longer clears with each reboot. This change happened with a recent software update. The obstruction map can be manually reset if needed, and still updates with new information over time. In this article, I’ll explain the new obstruction map behavior and tell you how to reset the data. I will also talk about what Starlink is doing behind the scenes to improve performance for customers with obstructions. Starlink obstruction map If you aren’t already familiar, the Starlink obstruction map is a graphical representation of your dishes view of the sky. The map …