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.
The Starlink Standard kit includes a 50 ft. shielded Ethernet cable, which carries power and data from the router to the dish. For permanent home installations, the Starlink cable is usually routed through an exterior wall. If the dish mounting location is far away from where the router will be placed, 50′ of cable might not be long enough. If you need a longer cable, there are a few options to consider. You can purchase the official 150′ cable directly from Starlink. A cheaper option is to buy an aftermarket Ethernet cable that meets the required specifications. The last option, …
The Starlink Gen 3 Standard dish needs to be manually pointed in the right direction. It’s best to perform the alignment during the initial setup process. Proper alignment is crucial for getting the best performance out of a Starlink system. In this tutorial, I will explain what the Starlink alignment tool is, and walk you through how to use it to aim your dish. This guide is intended for users of the Gen 3 Standard dish. Manual alignment isn’t needed for older generations or other models. Which direction does Starlink point to? When you aim the dish, you are pointing …
Starlink is providing high speed internet to millions of customers that previously didn’t have any other options. A lot of these customers are gamers, eager to finally be able to download large games, stream on Twitch, and reliably connect to multiplayer servers. Starlink internet specs make it ideal for gaming, at least on the surface. Their website advertises fast download speeds, respectable upload speeds, and low latency for their Standard service plan and equipment. It should be great internet for gaming, but there are some major issues, according to gamers posting to online Starlink communities and social media. Gamers are …
The Starlink app is useful for a lot of things, like monitoring your Wifi network. You can check to see which devices are currently connected, allowing you to make sure only authorized devices are using your internet connection. Starlink is usually able to identify devices. The app will automatically assign names that let you know what they are. For example, when I connect my smart thermostat, it automatically shows up with the name, “ecobee”, which is the manufacturer of the device. Sometimes, Starlink isn’t able to identify or name a device automatically. When this happens, it will show up as …
A brand new, ultra-portable Starlink is set to debut later this year, according to Elon Musk. In a recent speech, covering several SpaceX topics, Musk talked about Starlink, and the new user terminals launching this year. One of the devices, Starlink’s Gen 3 “Standard” dish, has already been launched in the US. The other device, which Musk referred to as Starlink “Mini”, will be released sometime later this year. “We will be introducing the Starlink Mini later this year, which can fit in a backpack.” Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX/Starlink The speech, which you can view in this SpaceX post, …
Starlink launched their latest generation dish, along with a handful of accessories, in late 2023. Product launches aren’t new for the satellite internet company, now on its 3rd hardware iteration. But, in a first for Starlink, they are recalling a popular mounting accessory, asking customers to throw them away as a precautionary measure. When customers order a Starlink kit, they receive a mounting base for the dish that is mainly intended for temporary or portable situations. For permanent installations on a roof, Starlink offers several types of mounts in their online shop. Starlink also supports third party mounts with an …
Starlink’s newest hardware, Gen 3 Standard, was launched in late 2023. If you are looking to get Starlink, or have already purchased a kit, you might be wondering what comes in the box. In this article, I will detail everything included in the Starlink Standard kit, so you know what to expect when your order arrives. The Gen 3 “Standard” hardware option is available for most service plans. It’s the default equipment for Residential and Roam. The Starlink Standard kit contains everything you need to get online in just a few minutes: As you can see, the Starlink system is …
The Standard Wall Mount is a mounting accessory from Starlink that allows you to permanently install your Gen 3 dish to an exterior wall, eave, or fascia. Starlink has simplified their mounting options for Gen 3, opting to combine the previous Short and Long Wall Mount’s from Gen 2, into just one product for their next generation dish. The Standard Wall Mount combines the features from previous versions, with some interesting new additions for Gen 3. If you are looking to mount the Gen 3 Standard dish to your home, the Standard Wall Mount is one of the only options …
Depending on your location, Starlink will offer you different hardware options. For Residential and Roam orders in the US, the choice comes down to “Standard” or “Standard Actuated”. The Starlink website doesn’t give much information on the differences between the two models, but there are a lot of things you should be aware of before making a decision. In this guide, I will break down all the differences between the two equipment options, Standard and Standard Actuated. Learn about the hardware, mounting options, installation process, and available accessories. I will talk about performance, reliability, and offer my overall recommendation for …
Starlink is rolling out their next generation hardware kit to more service plans and locations. You can now choose “Gen 3 Standard” for new Residential subscriptions in many US states. The Gen 3 hardware option now appears as the default equipment for many service plans and locations. The launch of Gen 3 for Residential customers follows the initial public launch for Starlink’s Roam and Business service plans. Rather than completely replace Gen 2, it appears that Starlink is favoring a slow rollout of their new hardware. Gen 2, referred to as “Standard Actuated” on the order page, remains an option …
