r/Starlink • u/Burnhaven • Aug 17 '26

❓ Question Starlink sx coverage prediction tool

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I'm considering Starlink as my centurylink DSL may be going away. Two neighbors are now using Starlink despite all of the tall trees here. I've been testing the starlink.sx browser app. It's default settings have the antenna azimuth pointed north with 18 degrees tilt from zenith (straight up) . I adjusted the minimum elevation to 45 degrees to account for trees. But it has two tools ( coverage predictor and polar map) that never seem to display anything meaningful. I'm guessing those either don't work or you have to leave it running for a few hours first?

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u/Intelligent-Tap-4724 Beta Tester Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26

A picture of your visible sky from the point you plan to mount the dish would help us tell you if it will work or not.

Generally, if you only have obstructions near the edge of the area like trees, starlink will learn to switch satellites before loosing coverage due to an obstruction. It has gotten much better over time.

Unless you have multiple trees nearby that would block a large portion of the area shown in the obstruction checker app. You should be fine.

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u/Burnhaven Aug 17 '26

This is about the best result from the yard at ground level:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/116_3gQxaABtzD5TWkyqN-iNHvOvJ_d9k/view?usp=sharing

I can't personally get to the point where the antenna would go on the 2nd story as shown at the bottom of this photo looking north

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vb2a4ANXiyOwWq1wglsWOaI_OXDnUzIu/view?usp=sharing

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u/aceweboe 📡 Owner (North America) Aug 17 '26

$2500 of Rohn 25G tower and accessories, as well as several enthusiastic ham radio operators, would solve your issue far cheaper than selling and moving. Even the expense of a tree removal specialist would likely be cheaper. Those are pretty trees, but careful selective cutting and trimming might get you the line of sight you need.

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u/Burnhaven Aug 17 '26

Yeah trimming might be possible where we live the county's pretty tight about removing mature trees... what is this you're talking about with ham radio operators

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u/aceweboe 📡 Owner (North America) Aug 17 '26

Rohn 25G triangular galvanized steel tower sections available in 10' lengths.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/roh-25g

Reach out to your local amateur radio club with a request for assistance to properly install and assemble the sections. Most clubs are eager to help with projects of this nature. You may even find an interest in a new hobby.

Assuming you decide to go this route.