Starlink for basecamp?

[chukwithak]

Thank you for all the info! My truck has a regular plug in, would that work? Or is the 100w adapter the only thing that works?

What kind of plugin? If it’s USB, it needs to provide 100w or more.

 

[Fever Buck]

For those that are using one at base camp, how are you powering Starlink? I’d assume a power bank and maybe a generator to top it off?

 

[chukwithak]

For those that are using one at base camp, how are you powering Starlink? I’d assume a power bank and maybe a generator to top it off?

I have a Lithium battery. You can do the math to figure out how big of one you want/need.

Figure with no way to charge it how many hours you need access. Multiply the number of hours needed by 50 (safe side) and that about the size. So figure I want 10 hours of internet access x 50 (watts an hour) = 500 Lithium battery.

Now if you have a way to charge the lithium (Solar or generator) or which ever, Then you can go smaller than your math.

 

[Pilgs]

What kind of plugin? If it’s USB, it needs to provide 100w or more.

The standard plug in like you use in the house., 3 prong. It says Ac 110v, 400w max on the cover.

 

[chukwithak]

The standard plug in like you use in the house., 3 prong. It says Ac 110v, 400w max on the cover.

I mean what is the plugin in the truck? 110? If so, that should work. But also check whether your truck needs to be turned on for power to the 110. Just something to consider. The WiFi and everything is in the Mini its self. The plug is simply a power source adapter.

 

[parshal]

I had been using this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3CSLPZR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5

I'm using this now and it works well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQV9YHZ9?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

 

[Pilgs]

I mean what is the plugin in the truck? 110? If so, that should work. But also check whether your truck needs to be turned on for power to the 110. Just something to consider. The WiFi and everything is in the Mini its self. The plug is simply a power source adapter.

Yeah, it's 110. And it does need to be on for power. Which is fine, at camp I'll use something else.

Thanks again for your information!

 

[taskswap]

For those that are using one at base camp, how are you powering Starlink? I’d assume a power bank and maybe a generator to top it off?

Off my camper batteries via an inverter. (The camper itself is solar, with a backup generator.) I have the gen-2 motorized dish and tried three kits off Amazon to convert it to PoE but they were all garbage.

I can't recall the numbers for the Gen3 and compact dishes but I seem to remember reading that they're higher than the Gen2. My Gen2 takes 45W pretty consistently in normal operation. With the snow-melt function running it jumps to 75W.

Inverter losses are a real thing but if you have a 120VAC dish you don't HAVE to go PoE to minimize that. There are also better and worse inverters. My old one had very high losses so I got a dedicated 300W Bestek inverter that got great reviews on Amazon and I've been pretty happy with it. The camper is currently "parked" on our homestead and I'm writing this post from there, actually, on the Starlink. It's been running for about 6 months 24x7 without fail.

 

[chukwithak]

Valid point I haven’t seen mentioned and maybe I missed it. Different models and generations have different power requirements. I started off with the rotating Gen 2 and now use a mini. The power output I have been referencing was based on the Mini, for clarification.

 

[Fever Buck]

Thanks y’all. Just an FYI but the Starlink Mini is $100 off until July 7. May hop on one.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Got starlink at the family cabin, it’s sad cause I’m never disconnected, but also it’s amazing. We did it for calls for my wife when she is on call/ staying connected/ emergencies. I can go hunt, then come back and talk shit on Rokslide at night… my kids can stream whatever shows in the evening which bummed me out cause I amassed a pretty legit dvd collection.

 

[chukwithak]

Thanks y’all. Just an FYI but the Starlink Mini is $100 off until July 7. May hop on one.

I think the nicest thing about the mini is that if you sto it in your truck, you have access to a phone call at any period of time as long as you have an active subscription. I keep the $10 activation and bump it when I know I’m going to be in the field. Just never know when you’re going to be out of service and have a vehicle failure or emergency. $10 a month for piece of mind.

 

[MallardSX2]

Ya. NO. And I hunt with 2 women. lol

 

[Fever Buck]

Bought the Mini today. Believe it’s the last day for the sale. Also snagged a jackery 1000 and Amazon gave me a free Jackery 300 with it as well.

 

[Fowl Play]

Starlink is world altering technology. I’ve been living in a fifth wheel for about a year and have fiber like speeds everywhere I go. It’s actually faster the more remote you are because you are sharing satellite bandwidth with less people. Bringing it to elk camp is a personal decision. It really just requires discipline. If you want to get away, just put the phone/laptop down. But there are definitely perks.

 

[OFam02Ex]

I’m sold, my kids are home schooled this makes remote trips less stressful when comes to that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dirtytough]

I’m a fan. I picked up a reissue tag using a buddy’s mini last year in BFE.

I have it now and usually just leave it on the dash. It works even when not pointed in the correct direction.

 

[mntnguide]

Got the mini when it went on sale for 300... picked up 2 jackery 1000 V2 with 2 200w panels that were just on sale for 50% off... going to enable me to spend way more time in remote locations with the horses, and still make a full paycheck far from home... I just need to figure out of the 50gb roam plan is enough for the work i do, or if I'll need to do the unlimited, but I guess I'll figure that out soon

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

 

[wesfromky]

Got the mini when it went on sale for 300... picked up 2 jackery 1000 V2 with 2 200w panels that were just on sale for 50% off... going to enable me to spend way more time in remote locations with the horses, and still make a full paycheck far from home... I just need to figure out of the 50gb roam plan is enough for the work i do, or if I'll need to do the unlimited, but I guess I'll figure that out soon

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

I have done a few weeks at a time on the 50gb roam. No issues with work stuff, but the last trip I did more streaming and photo upload/backup to cloud, so I went over. You can enable overage for $1.00 a GB, so that might be the way to go if you are not using a ton of bandwidth year round.

Also, pick up the USB-C power cable, it makes things much easier.

 

[fulltiltaudio]

I was able to extend my time off from 2 weeks to 4 weeks last year. I was able to pick and choose a little bit when I needed to work, so when weather was terrible or saturdays and sundays I would just log in and work for a while. I don't get paid time off, so it was nice to be able to work and still receive a paycheck. No way I could have stayed that long without it. Also being able to face time the family makes it easier on my wife and kids back home because we don't feel so far away.

Plus, you can now have access to buy leftover tags, black friday deals, or we could see which stores were the closest when we would have a mishap (flat tires, broken vehicle parts, propane refills etc) to be able to minimize time driving around looking for what was needed, We could just call ahead and have things ready to go. Sometimes we go to a new area we weren't planning on, it's nice to have service if needed to download new maps or even used in case of emergencies.

I will say I'm not a fan of camp all being on their phones at the end of the day, but I was dropping footage from filming onto the computer etc. as well. Part of me wants to just have a "no phones designated time" because between having starlink at camp, my hunting partner having games downloaded on his phone, and the Zoleo to text whoever, whenever, it seems everyone is always on their phone, and I hate it. I can try to put mine away as much as possible but if people around me are on their phones it doesn't do much good. I HATE having a conversation with people that are on their phone and not fully engaged, especially in the mountains.

We have used ours for a handful of road trips, and I will throw it on the roof rack of my truck when I'm driving. I don't just surf the web etc while on those road trips, but for what we have needed it for, its worked great while on the road. We have used it through trees and mountains, and it still seems to work most all the time.

We started with the Gen 3 because it was cheaper, but realized the Mini would be a lot more functional to just throw in a rig to go somewhere, and it draws a lot less power, so I picked up a mini and have used it since I got it, and now my Gen 3 sits on a shelf all lonely, it needs to get posted up for sale as I don't see us using it much anymore!

I often pull my toy hauler to spots I know I can get it to for a base camp, then we can sleep out of the truck or backpack and we always have a place to come back and recharge as needed. It has proven to make things more comfortable to be able to stay out for 4 weeks at a time if needed!!!