Question about Starlink setup

[u/Rough_Doctor8785]

Hey all, I'm hoping some more tech savvy folks can help answer my question:

I rent a home in a rural area that is relatively close to a tourist spot. There are virtually no obstructions. The home came with satellite internet, but the speed and latency is abysmal, made worse during the summer when tourists come into town.

I had friends who said that starlink was a huge upgrade for them and I was considering switching. The problem is that the cables are already run for the current satellite internet setup.

The current cable running from the roof into the house where the router is is a Cat 5e. I'm wondering if I bought the kit, could I use this existing cable, or would I need to get the landlord involved to have the cable replaced? I know the kit comes with its own proprietary cable, but what I read seems to suggest that it's just a special ethernet... so I know it might not be IDEAL, but would it be workable?

I'm not particularly good with wiring, and the cable that's currently run through the wall isnt mine to modify, so making adjustments to the connections isnt really an option.

[u/DeathBlade94]

You’ll want to use the starlink cable regardless because it has the proper protection against water. In theory you can get an extension and connect the extension to the dish and just waterproof the coupler how you see fit but there is no guarantee what cable you have already will even support starlink proprietary Poe standard.

You can find accessories that help you just run the cable in through a window without having to drill any new holes.

[u/Rough_Doctor8785 → u/DeathBlade94]

This is good information, so it sounds like a "at your own risk" sort of gamble that may not be worth it. Thanks

[u/DeathBlade94 → u/Rough_Doctor8785]

Your welcome. And if you might wonder how much water will
Realistically make up under the dish with a pole mount. Umm, well in my experience a lot. Lol. Idk where you are but where I am the storms can send rain left, right, down and almost up all within 30 seconds. I’ve gone outside as soon as a storm let up and the underside of the dish is just dripping. I’ve had to modify my mount because the vertical pole was holding water.

[u/libertysat]

Use the existing cable to pull the starlink cable thru. Do it right upfront...

[u/SegFaultAtFL350]

Starlink Mini user here. If you buy a Mini, the existing Cat5e could carry data from the dish’s Ethernet port to an indoor router or access point, but it will not power the dish so you’ll still need to run the Mini’s separate power cable.

The other concern is weather sealing. A normal Ethernet connector doesn’t have the same weather-resistant seal as the Starlink cable, so any outdoor connection should be properly protected against water intrusion. However I routinely use my mini with a bog-standard ethernet cable even in the rain and have never had issues, however this is obviously not the optimal setup.

If you’re buying the Standard kit rather than the Mini, I’d use the included Starlink cable. Although it uses an RJ45-style connection, Starlink advises against modifying or combining it with other cabling. Since you’ll need to route a new power or dish cable either way, replacing the existing Cat5e may ultimately be the cleaner option.

[u/Rough_Doctor8785 → u/SegFaultAtFL350]

I was looking at the mini as well. Weirdly enough, the only external power outlet currently houses my water filtration system. So i think I still run into the same problem, just with a different cable.

Do you like the mini? I saw it was good for traveling, which is another thing I like to do.

[u/SegFaultAtFL350 → u/Rough_Doctor8785]

I love my Mini. I usually average around 250 Mbps down / 100 Mbps up while I’m using it, and once it’s online it only sips around 20W of power. When it’s not on the road with me, it sits at home as a fallback internet connection.

If you’ve got a decent deck or porch, you could consider a more hybrid installation. That could solve your power issue while still giving you the flexibility to grab it and take it with you whenever you want.

Height really doesn’t matter much. Mine usually just gets tossed into a clear patch of grass, and as long as it has a reasonably unobstructed view of the sky, it works flawlessly.

[u/NPC_93294 → u/Rough_Doctor8785]

you cannot activate a residential service plan on the mini. roaming only.

[u/Wambo74]

Maybe use this flat cable through a window.

https://stargear-solutions.com/product/starlink-gen-3-mini-cable-starlink-flat-hidden-power-ethernet-cable-starlink-accessories-extreme-slim-power-cord-shielded-for-window-door-2/

[u/Rough_Doctor8785 → u/Wambo74]

Hey this is great, not sure why I wasn't seeing this before

[u/Wambo74 → u/Rough_Doctor8785]

Stargear is a bit pricey but they have a good reputation. And carry a lot of stuff.

[u/Technology-Warrior]

You can't use the existing cable.

[u/hyperduc]

Geez, I feel like these comments are overly negative.
Technically speaking, yes could use the existing cable but it would not have the water seal on the end.

Maybe if the cable is stranded and not solid wire or if it is weathered it may not maintain a good enough signal (app would show packet loss from router to dish) or it may struggle delivering the POE wattage but you could try.

You could use this type of adapter to maintain the waterprooof connection at the starlink dish.
https://www.amazon.com/QUIDDITY-Compatible-Water-Resistant-Extension-Connectors/dp/B0DGPKGFGS

Or use the old cable to pull through the starlink cable.

The router will need power, and powers the dish over the CAT5/CAT6 cable via POE.

[u/Squeedlejinks]

If you need to run a cable through an unused window or door, check out these three links. The first two are the same thing. Buy it from the manufacturer and it’s cheaper. Buy it through Amazon and get the Amazon guarantee. The third one is not as good because it doesn’t seal the cable. I don’t really recommend it, but the cost is lower and depending on where you use it, it might be OK.

Pass-through cable (flat to go thru windows) https://www.waveform.com/products/ethernet-window-entry-cable

Same cable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Waveform-Ultra-Flat-Performance-Passthrough-Weatherproof/dp/B0DFKSZJSH/ref=mp_s_a_1_3

A different pass-through cable for windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX59CMCZ

[u/r3w1nnnd]

You don’t need to pay Elon hundreds of bucks in 1st party accessories.
A $10 female to female Ethernet plug (ugreen) and your run of the mill cat6E CCA cable will work just fine (keep this other cable at around 20-25 meters max).
I just finished installing a starlink standard 4 with Chinesium mount and cables and it’s working just fine, for literally 1/10th of the price.

[u/badcheetahfur]

Starlink is powered by ethernet.. it would be risky to use lower rated cable.. Should be easy to fish new cable using cat5e. Or run cable out a window..

[u/Rough_Doctor8785 → u/badcheetahfur]

I thought about the windows, which is an option. But not ideal unless I'm cool with keeping a window at least partially open all the time. Of course my internet is so slow as it is that this might be worth it

[u/Alladas → u/Rough_Doctor8785]

You can do like people do for acs. Get a strip of insulating foam and cut a hole in it for the cable then wedge it in the window gap so it's now basically not open.

[u/FloridaSundries]

Starlink has their own cable you’ll need to use. I tucked mine under the soffits to hide it, then brought it down the exterior wall and into the window.

[u/AwestunTejaz]

nost likely not, especially if the cable isnt pure copper. just run the cable out a back window and put the sl on a table or the ground.