Starlink Mounting Options – A guide to official and DIY mounts

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The base that comes in the Starlink kit is not going to be a permanent solution for most folks. How you end up mounting your dish will depend on many factors, including obstructions, roof angle, and budget.

In this article, we will guide you through the various Starlink mounting options. We will also take a look at various mounts, including official Starlink products and third party products.

Note: This article may contain affiliate links for the products mentioned

Where are your obstructions?

The very first factor to consider is whether you have obstructions at your desired mounting location. Obstructions can be anything that blocks a clear view of the sky in the direction of the Starlink satellites. In most cases, this will be tree’s. Utility poles and other buildings could also obstruct the view of the sky.

How to check for obstructions

The Starlink app allows you to view details about obstructions in two ways. First, you can use your phone camera to search for potential obstructions. Stand in the area where you want to mount Starlink, open the app, and use the obstruction finder to see if Starlink has a clear view of the sky. This will give you a general idea about obstructions in that location.

The second method: If possible, set up your dish with the included tripod mount in a suitable area around where you think you would like to permanently mount it. Allow the app to collect data for at least 12 hours, and then check back later to see how your view is. Check the table below to see which kinds of mounts will be best for you based on how obstructed the view is from your test mounting location:

ObstructionsSolution
No obstructions after 12 hoursGreat! You’ve found a good location. Proceed to pick the mount type that works best for that location
Some obstruction time after 12 hoursThe dish will have to either be mounted higher, or further away from the obstructions. Try it at your roof’s peak. Or move it to the other side of the roof away from tall objects
A lot of obstruction time after 12 hoursIf you have a lot of tall tree’s and the peak of your roof isn’t high enough, you’ll need to go higher. An extension pole or even a dedicated tower might be necessary

Once you’ve found a suitable location for your Starlink dish that is free of obstructions according to the Starlink app, you can proceed to picking a mount for a permanent installation. In this section we will cover the various Starlink mounting options.

The structure you will be mounting to will determine what type of mount you need. For example, if you want to install on an exterior wall, an adjustable J-Mount or Starlink Wall Mount would be appropriate. For a roof installation, a Flashing Mount might be the best option.

J-Mount – the versatile mounting option

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One of the best mounting solutions for Starlink is the J-Mount. They are widely available, affordable, and extremely versatile. In fact, you might even already have a J-Mount from another satellite service like Dish Network. You’ll want a J-Mount that has a pipe diameter of around 1.5 inches to use with Starlink, such as the Winegard DS2000 that is pictured above.

The J-Mount solution requires some minor modification to connect with the Starlink mounting tube, depending on which one you buy. The easiest way is to use a mount adapter, like the Winegard Universal Antenna Mount Adapter pictured above.

Depending on the inside diameter of your J-Mount, you might need some spacer material or a bolt to fully secure the Starlink mast. Electrical tape will work just fine.

J-Mount is good for: Eave/fascia, roof, exterior wall. Extremely flexible solution. Affordable.

Might not be suitable for: Areas with a lot of obstructions. The typical height of a J-Mount is 2-4 feet, so if you need more height beyond the top of your roof, the J-Mount might not be the best option.

Related: Guide To Using A J Mount With Starlink

Flashing Mount – professional looking Starlink roof mount

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Starlink Flashing Mount + Pivot Mount

The roof is a common place that people will install their Starlink dish. If you want a professional and worry-free roof install, consider a Flashing Mount. A Flashing Mount installs under the top layer of shingles and secures to your roof structure for a very strong and leak-free solution. Flashing Mount installations will require not only the Flashing Mount itself, but also an aftermarket J-Mount or Starlink Pivot Mount in order to secure the dish to the Flashing Mount.

Starlink sells their own Flashing Mount, but you can also find aftermarket products, like the CommDeck Satellite Mounting System pictured above, on Amazon.

Flashing Mount is good for: Roof installations. High rain/snow locations where roof leaks might be a concern. Clean, professional look.

Might not be suitable for: Roofs that aren’t covered with shingles. Installation is more complex. More expensive than other options.

Non-Penetrating Roof Mount – a permanent installation without drilling

Starlink Ridgeline Mount Kit

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For various reasons, some folks will not want to secure a mount to the roof structure. That’s where a Non-Penetrating Roof Mount comes in. Commonly known as a ridgeline mount, these mounts are held down with weights (sand bags, concrete blocks, etc) and not fastened to the roof.

For installations on the ridge line, check out the Starlink Ridgeline Mount Kit, pictured above. This official Starlink mount comes with everything needed, including the weights. It can be adjusted to any angle, and even works on flat roofs. If you prefer an aftermarket solution, or have a round dish, go with the EZ PNP Non-Penetrating Antenna Mast Peak Roof Mount. This mount doesn’t come with any type of mast, so you’ll need a J-Mount or some other type of mount to attach to it. The Winegard DS2000 is our favorite. This ridge line mount is secured with standard concrete blocks.

The Easy-Up EZ NP-30-166 Non-Penetrating Roof Mount is ideal for flat roofs. It includes a 1.66″ OD mast, so you’ll just need to slide the Starlink mast in, and secure with U-bolts, bolts, or some other type of fastener. You can anchor down this mount using standard concrete blocks.

Non-Penetrating Roof Mount is good for: Situations where you don’t want to fasten to the roof structure. You can easily move this mount around on the roof if you need flexibility in the future.

Might not be suitable for: This mount definitely stands out on your roof, as it will be held down with concrete blocks or other heavy items. Depending on how much weight you use, wind might be an issue since it is not fastened down.

Tower Mount – when your roof or wall isn’t suitable

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Starlink Tower Installation
Starlink Dish Installed on 40 ft Tower

In some circumstances people might need to mount their Starlink dish far away from their home to be clear of obstructions. In other circumstances a dedicated tower might be needed to get the vertical height necessary to clear tree’s around the house. Tower Mount’s offer a solution for these tough circumstances.

Tower Mount is good for: Getting above or away from obstructions. When you can’t mount to your roof or structure.

Might not be suitable for: Adding a tower on your property is a big undertaking and is more complex and expensive than other mounting options. This is a more custom installation solution that will require more hardware modification than other options.

The Rohn 30′ Tower shown above would need to be combined with a pipe adapter to fit the Starlink mast diameter.

Pole Mount – good for open spaces

Starlink Pole Mount
Starlink Pipe Adapter

If you don’t have a lot of trees and other obstructions around your house, you might be able to get away with mounting the Starlink dish on a pole or post in your yard. Pole Mount’s can also be a great option if you have an open area near your house that doesn’t have as much tree coverage.

Starlink sells a Pole Mount in their shop. Alternatively, you could supply your own 1.5″ or 2″ diameter pole, and use a pipe adapter or U-bolts to secure Starlink to it. Starlink sells a pipe adapter that allows you to use your own pole/mast up to 2.5 inches.

Pole Mount is good for: When you don’t want to mount to your roof or house, or need to get Starlink into an open area away from your home.

Might not be suitable for: Areas with lots of trees. Also, pole mounts require a bit more work that most other mounting options. The pole needs to be buried, and you’ll have to bury the Starlink cable in conduit or find another way to safely route it inside your home.

Tripod Mount – permanent or temporary

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If you want to install your Starlink dish on a flat surface, but need more height than a J-Mount provides, consider using something like this Heavy-Duty Tripod Base. A Tripod Mount is useful for both temporary and permanent installations. You can stake the tripod directly into the earth for a stable temporary mount. Or perhaps you have a flat roof that you can permanently secure it to.

The Tripod Mount pictured above comes included with a mast that will accept the Starlink dish mast with a bit of modification (using pole clamps or drilling holes for bolts). You can also supply your own mast of any length you require, up to 2 inches outside diameter.

Tripod Mount is good for: Temporary or permanent installations on flat surfaces

Might not be suitable for: Takes up a bit of space. Unless you anchor the Tripod Mount, there is a risk of it tipping over in windy conditions

Chimney Mount – using an existing structure for more height

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Chimney Mount – Credit: u/Forya_Cam

For installations where you might need more height than the roof peak offers, or for those without shingle roofs, a Chimney Mount might be a good solution. Chimney Mount’s use your existing chimney to secure a pole for mounting the Starlink dish.

For the Chimney Mount Install Kit shown above, you will just need to supply a mast that is up to 2″ OD. It’s also a good idea to measure the diameter of your chimney to make sure the straps are long enough.

To make installation a breeze, be sure to pick up the Starlink pipe adapter, which will adapt any existing pole/mast up to 2.5″ OD to the Starlink dish.

Chimney Mount is good for: When you need some extra height. When you don’t have shingles, or if you have a roof structure or material that doesn’t allow traditional installations.

Might not be suitable for: Not all chimney types are compatible with chimney mount kits. The installation can be a bit more involved than other options.

Starlink mounting options for RV’s

FlagPole Buddy Starlink Kit

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Starlink Pipe Adapter – Credit: u/KevynJacobs from the Starlink subreddit

If you are using Starlink on your RV, van, truck, etc., there are many ways to permanently mount the dish. One popular option is the FlagPole Buddy Starlink RV Mounting Kit, that includes a pole, mounts, and Starlink adapter. The FlagPole Buddy system attaches to an existing ladder on your RV.

Maybe you have some other kind of existing pole or mast you want to use. In that case, all you would need is the Starlink pipe adapter, which can be used to mount the Starlink dish to any mast/pole up to 2.5″ in diameter.

Standard Starlink Base

The base that comes with your Starlink kit can be used as a permanent mount if you have a suitable mounting location. For example, a flat roof that is free from obstructions. The base can also be used if you plan to keep your installation temporary and movable.

Included Starlink Base is good for: No cost as it is included in your kit. Can be secured to a structure thanks to pre-drilled mounting holes on the legs.

Might not be suitable for: Pitched roofs. Areas with obstructions.

Other mounting options to consider

Starlink Pole Mount
Custom Pipe Mount

If none of the above work for your situation, there are many different custom options available. With a pipe adapter or the right size piping, the Starlink dish can be attached to a variety of structures in a variety of ways. If you are a do-it-yourself type of person with extra materials laying around, it might be worth designing your own mounting solution using a variety of brackets and pipe that can be sourced from the hardware store.

See also: Reference guide to all the Starlink measurements/dimensions 

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135 Comments
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Jeff
Jeff
6 days ago

I’m in an off grid aplication with tall trees – can side mount on top floor to extend (home made adapter) what precautions for lightning?

Gordon Bristow
Gordon Bristow
7 days ago

Great info! Noah have you heard or seen anyone that has attached starlink to a full size flag pole? There is one on our property previous owners installed. I’m thinking about using the long wall mount to attach the the side of the pole at the top. Not sure if that mount will work. The top of the flag pole is a ball, so maybe an attachment like the chimney option may work?

Stephen
Stephen
16 days ago

Hello Noah,

Two questions. Is the ground pole mount already configured to accept the Starlink antenna or do you need the pipe adaptor? Also, will the ground pole mount work with the Flag Pole Buddy mounting system? I will be using on an RV so wanting to mount the pole to my rear ladder. Thank you!

Steve

Stephen
Stephen
6 days ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Thank you! Appreciate the response.

Sue Maloney
Sue Maloney
17 days ago

My best location is on our dock by the water. I could pole mount it or mount it flat to the bench on the dock but then I have to run the cable on the ground up to the house. Can the cables just lay on the ground?

Rick Owens
Rick Owens
18 days ago

I live among the Rocky Mountains where we get a lot of snow. The problem this past winter was snow build up around the dish. It melted just fine on top if it, but the snow was so deep that the dish sat in a hole. I wasn’t able to climb up on the roof so resorted to duct taping a ski pole onto a painter’s pole to knock down some of the snow build up.

Is there a product that simply extends the pole for my dish using the existing Starlink mount? If so, where can I get one?

Thanks,
Rick

Jim
Jim
1 month ago

Hey, Noah. I plan to mount Starlink flat on top of my RV permanently. Bad idea? Signal loss? Ideas for the hardware? (Basically a water-tight box, right?) Great article! THANKS!

Brian
Brian
1 month ago

Do you know if it’s possible to buy a replacement insert tube that goes into the ground base and inserts into the rectangle dish down tube? Mine has gotten torn/broken and I have yet to get a response from support and not finding one on the “Shop” of the Starlink page.

Brian
Brian
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

It’s the piece that slides into the base and has the cut out for the cable to connect. It’s part of the dish mast itself that shipped with the dish last month. The metal itself is torn/broken. So, instead of the pole being upright at 90 degrees, it is now canted at about 60-70 degrees. It’s holding enough for now that the dish can still track and move. I put in a Support ticket a week ago that included pics but have yet to get any response at all.

Brian
Brian
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Thank You! Any suggestions on how to get a response if they don’t reply to support tickets? It’s been 6 days now.

dwayne
dwayne
1 month ago

i have an empty existing electrical mast that I want to mount the pipe adapter to, but I want to run the cable inside the mast not the outside like it is shown how it is mounted most of the time. Is this an option or a DIY kinda thing?

Stephen
Stephen
1 month ago

I have a new Starlink with the four-leg base mount.
I found the recommended location using the Starlink App.
Is it possible to mount the base backward? I don’t want to do this, but I mounted it so the cable inserts on the south side of the antenna. The instructions that came with the unit – none.
The online Starlink.com Help – is worse than useless.

John Moran
John Moran
2 months ago

Is it safe to drill into / through the rectangular dishy’s mast pole to secure it to the extension of the Channelmaster Universal J-Mount (CM-3090)? The ID of the top extension is 1.38in, only .04in larger than the outside diameter of the dishy mast. My preference would be to bolt through, but I can also live with a couple of set screws if drill-thru is contra-indicated

Last edited 2 months ago by John Moran
Dace
Dace
2 months ago

I have 18″ deep eves. Is the J-mount long enough to allow the dish to clear around it?

John
John
2 months ago

I am using Starlink’s standard Long Wall Mount but I need to get the dish higher. Is there an extension pole that would fit into the Starlink mount?

Ted
Ted
4 months ago

I will likely be getting a starlink this summer for use in a remote and heavily wooded area. We do however have power. We probably would mount the starlink to a pole. I’m researching two things. How do try to verify where to place the pole (again tall trees all around) to ensure I get good signal. Second. Once I have a pole location, how should grounding work? The poll itself is grounded? An elevated starlink is possible lightning target I would think

Ted
Ted
4 months ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

great thank. Until i came to this site (and I have more reading here to do) I was thinking stand alone pole (like a flag pole type of thing) But maybe a poll mounted on upper floor of that house that would allow starlink to be proud of the roofline. That might work. As for grounding good answer. makes sense, glad I asked though.

I see info on on the 75 vs 150 cable. Until the house is built I dont really have any sense what sort of length. I presume there is no noticeable signal loss 75 vs 150. Is that an issue if you needed to go above 150, to say 200 (assuming such a cable could be found)

Lynette
Lynette
4 months ago

Hi Noah, I was just told that the router shouldn’t be close to other electric devices ie, I shouldn’t place it beside a fridge, freezer, tv, computer etc. If this is correct, how much distance from other electric devices is best?

Lynette
Lynette
4 months ago

I’m in country Australia and have been reading your information on installing Starlink. I think I can set up a pole for the dish. The pole would be attached to the side of the house. I was going to use one of the many poles here but then I read that the top of the pole should be sealed. Is this essential?

I have terrible satellite internet, mobile phone and TV reception.

Lynette
Lynette
4 months ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Do I need to use the pipe adapter?

dwayne
dwayne
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

is there any way to run the cable inside the pipe adapter to run through an existing (empty) electrical mast?

william
william
5 months ago

can it be mounted upside down on a soffit?

Sandra Thibodeau
Sandra Thibodeau
5 months ago

I have a Dish satellite on a J mount on a pole next to my house. Could I replace my Dish satellite with the Skylink? Thanks

Chris
Chris
6 months ago

Does the ground pole mount fit into the base that comes with the dish, I know the top end of pole clicks onto the dish and the other end is buried, my question is does the end you bury fit the base that comes with the dish?

Jaclyn
Jaclyn
7 months ago

We just purchased the Starlink RV and plan to use it as our primary unit at our home and since we camp a lot, take it with us. Is there a quick disconnect mount for when we use it at our primary residence and then just easily disconnect it to take it with us when we go camping? If not, what do you suggest? We have no obstructions at all around us (we live on a few acres, and there are not many trees near us). Thank you!

Eric Hubbard
Eric Hubbard
7 months ago

What is the minimum elevation angle above the horizon that is required for Starlink to get reception? Also, does it need to point exactly O° or is there a range? We live near Albuquerque New Mexico.
Thanks

Teruel
Teruel
7 months ago

I just ordered an Starlink Ground Pole mount to use with the HP array. Is there any tip how to connect the cable to underground conduit (eg HydroMaxx 2-in x 50-ft Non-Metal Liquid-tight Conduit) mainly what connections to use to seal it. The snow will most likely cover half of the Pole

Nensis
Nensis
4 months ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

I am installing on to a cypress post. I am wanting to seal the buried SL cable which is in conduit so moisture doesn’t go in there. So if I bring the cable up the post in 32mm conduit, would the conduit feed through a rubber grommet into the bottom of the junction box?
Would the cable then come out the bottom through a second rubber grommet hole?
And then the drip loop go after this once out of the junction box further on towards the dish . Also the rubber grommet would need to have a big hole to get the connector plug through, so wouldn’t moisture likely get into the junction box as a result?

Nensis
Nensis
4 months ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Thanks for your response. I notice some people when installing have run the SL cable down the centre (interior) of the pole they are mounting on. Others appear to have it loose coming out over the outside of the pole, (or adapter mount on pole). Is there a correct way or will either be ok do you think? The cable would be much more exposed to heat and frost if outside the pole, one would think? Thanks.

Jack
Jack
8 months ago

I’d like to utilize an existing tv antenna with tripod on my roof. If I replace the current 3 ft mast with the 8 ft Pole Mount, should there be enough separation for the new dish (5ft) ?? Is the Pole Mount suitable for a non-burial installation ??

Essani
Essani
8 months ago

Thanks for the great info! I’m curious how tall of a pole I can put on the peak of my roof and any advice around that. It seems the pole options are for ground or chimney mounts vs roof mounts. Trying to clear Doug fir and Ponderosa Pines that surround our home. What are the challenges of putting a tall pole on our roof? Wind? Lightning?

Ted
Ted
4 months ago
Reply to  Essani

What did you end up deciding? We have heavily wooded property far north in the UP. The house being build will be in the trees, and the trees will most assuredly be taller than the home. Looking straight up we’ll be ok. I am very uncertain about 50 degrees either side of vertical. I would hate to drop all the money on SL only to find my reception is poor.

Dan
Dan
8 months ago

I have a metal shop 3,000 sq ft in size it is 25 ft from my home. Will a mesh system reach inside my shop?

steve
steve
8 months ago

Will the starlink long wall mount fit the same screw holes drilled for the starlink short wall mount? Also, is there a “pole extender” to get another few inches pole height?