Musk says Starlink will work on boats

[Mr B]

A 600 mm or 2 foot Wide Disk, Thats nothing these days,
The first computer was a 2 story building,
You can carry a computer in your pocket now,
Give them time, They will reduce the size down to nothing,

[NCWDave]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Interesting, here we can see what's in the dish:

https://youtu.be/iOmdQnIlnRo

Guess that would not be too complicated to fully marinise..

Here is a link to a guy that disassembles a current spec antenna.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by disputin

When Elon figures out how to get an antenna into a case the size of a cell phone data and voice carriers around the world are screwed.

Sean

When Elon figures out how to get all of his satellites up there all the astronomers in the world are screwed.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by wingssail

When Elon figures out how to get all of his satellites up there all the astronomers in the world are screwed.

When 5G becomes common all the meteorologists in the world are screwed.

[jimbojonesbos]

I have mixed feelings about this; I'd love to have highspeed internet on my boat, I'd be able to spend a lot more time onboard and work in the mornings and evenings. But I know I am not the only one, and the greatest privilege of cruising is getting away from the crowds. The massive increase in remote workers that are going to be the new normal plus high speed internet anywhere on Earth means that the once far flung quiet corners are about to get a whole lot busier. They may also become the victims of American political media.

[andypag]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56515678

Starlink isn't the only project launching. Oneweb

[jack4566]

OneWeb has been in development for longer and has nothing to show for it. They also plan to retail through existing telecomms so good luck not getting price gauged.

Amazon "Project Kuiper" is also in development but nothing announced yet.

At the current pace Starlink is going to corner this market quickly and cost effectively.

[Tillsbury]

Well I for one am very impressed. A very Apple-like experience, and more. Not only is the kit in the box simple, it's even delivered all plugged together! Unpack, plug in to the mains, appears immediately on the wifi networks, and then asks you to create a new network name and password. Log in to that and we're away, dish not properly mounted yet and in a less than ideal spot but still getting 125 down 10 up. I'm a very happy bunny.

[bcboomer]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Well I for one am very impressed. A very Apple-like experience, and more. Not only is the kit in the box simple, it's even delivered all plugged together! Unpack, plug in to the mains, appears immediately on the wifi networks, and then asks you to create a new network name and password. Log in to that and we're away, dish not properly mounted yet and in a less than ideal spot but still getting 125 down 10 up. I'm a very happy bunny.

I agree. Sure is a change from my experience with typical marine hardware. I've only had 2 days in 2 months where there were connection issues and "beta downtime" that interfered with the internet.

[Jon Hacking]

Originally Posted by jack4566

OneWeb has been in development for longer and has nothing to show for it. They also plan to retail through existing telecomms so good luck not getting price gauged.

Amazon "Project Kuiper" is also in development but nothing announced yet.

At the current pace Starlink is going to corner this market quickly and cost effectively.

I wouldn't say they have "nothing" to show for it, as they've got 146 (over 22%) of their constellation in orbit. They were slowed down by having to go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but they're testing now & planning on commercial service by the end of the year. I agree that I prefer to buy direct when I can, & reduce middle-men.

Still, competition should be good for all of us. The other 2 players are 2-3 years behind, & nobody has SpaceX's advantage of their own launch platform. It should be fun to watch.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Well I for one am very impressed. A very Apple-like experience, and more. Not only is the kit in the box simple, it's even delivered all plugged together! Unpack, plug in to the mains, appears immediately on the wifi networks, and then asks you to create a new network name and password. Log in to that and we're away, dish not properly mounted yet and in a less than ideal spot but still getting 125 down 10 up. I'm a very happy bunny.

Are you still in New Zealand (your location says so)?

I thought Starlink said that coverage wasn't being rolled out until 'mid to late 2021' ?

[UFO]

Looks like we are getting closer......



https://uk.pcmag.com/networking/1328...La0NliicR_QHt8

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by UFO

Looks like we are getting closer......



https://uk.pcmag.com/networking/1328...La0NliicR_QHt8

Yeah, but so far StarLink is using dishes. Aren't they going to have to come up with a different antenna system for truly mobile vehicles?

[Jon Hacking]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

Yeah, but so far StarLink is using dishes. Aren't they going to have to come up with a different antenna system for truly mobile vehicles?

Scorpius, before jumping in, don't you think it would be a good idea to read previous posts?

The Starlink User Terminal antenna looks vaguely like a dish, but in fact it's a phased array antenna that is steered electronically, in milliseconds, without needing to move physically. SpaceX has been using them on their drone recovery ships off the coast of Florida, so it works for some mobile units. It already has sensors to compensate for the motion of the vehicle it's mounted on, but it's unclear if the sensor system is fast enough to compensate for a small boat tossing in a seaway (although it seems to be fast enough for an RV driving). But the beam steering electronics are certainly fast enough.

[rtoner]

I have signed up for the beta. I am currently in Florida. From my understanding per the sign up is this is not mobile yet. You are limited to the location you signed up for. I figured I will in one place for the hurricane season and am hoping they open up this restriction post the beta rollout.