Starlink finally stars public beta testing. Overland comms game changer?

[trail_runn4r]

SpaceX has started sending email invitations to join the public beta of their satellite internet connectivity service, Starlink.

It will be $99/month, plus one time fee of $499 to purchase the connectivity hardware. The antenna it's a bit bulky (see attached pic) but I think it could fit easily in an overland vehicle and then be deployed at camp.

What do you guys think? Any beta testers out there?

 

[genocache]

I go camping to get away.............

 

[RoarinRow]

I think it would be cool especially for full-time explorers.

 

[janders]

Oh man, when this comes on line, our overlanding trips go from weekend trips to month-long trips. I dream of being nestled into some kickass camp site by a river for days at a time. Do some work. Go for a hike. Do some work. Cut some firewood. Do some work. Drink some bourbon.

That beats the shit out of sitting under flourescent lights all day.

 

[old_man]

Oh man, when this comes on line, our overlanding trips go from weekend trips to month-long trips. I dream of being nestled into some kickass camp site by a river for days at a time. Do some work. Go for a hike. Do some work. Cut some firewood. Do some work. Drink some bourbon.

That beats the shit out of sitting under flourescent lights all day.

I currently work from home so that would work. My only problem would be my Zoom calls with a mountain and lake in the background. Jealousy can be a bitch.

 

[Prerunner1982]

I currently work from home so that would work. My only problem would be my Zoom calls with a mountain and lake in the background. Jealousy can be a bitch.

I already have camping pictures that I use for my video conference calls so they wouldn't know the difference except for maybe the sounds of nature in my call audio.

 

[persquank]

My friend is on the beta. He may or may not be planning to build an adventure van. I'll try to get pictures of the hardware when he gets it.

 

[Brewbud]

Looking forward to the future stages where there will be ocean coverage. Almost time to throw off the landlines.

 

[trail_runn4r]

My friend is on the beta. He may or may not be planning to build an adventure van. I'll try to get pictures of the hardware when he gets it.

Yes please!

 

[trail_runn4r]

I go camping to get away.............

Yes sure but as other mentioned it would be awesome to be “off-grid” for longer period of times but being able still to get some work done and communicate with loved ones.

 

[rDan]

Oh man, when this comes on line, our overlanding trips go from weekend trips to month-long trips. I dream of being nestled into some kickass camp site by a river for days at a time. Do some work. Go for a hike. Do some work. Cut some firewood. Do some work. Drink some bourbon.

That beats the shit out of sitting under flourescent lights all day.

I currently work from home so that would work. My only problem would be my Zoom calls with a mountain and lake in the background. Jealousy can be a bitch.

You could always just use a picture of a cubical as background. Maybe a GIF with a copier in far background making copies.

 

[rDan]

Oh man, when this comes on line, our overlanding trips go from weekend trips to month-long trips. I dream of being nestled into some kickass camp site by a river for days at a time. Do some work. Go for a hike. Do some work. Cut some firewood. Do some work. Drink some bourbon.

That beats the shit out of sitting under flourescent lights all day.

Clearly you're working too much.

 

[old_man]

Looking forward to the future stages where there will be ocean coverage. Almost time to throw off the landlines.

You would need an stabilized autopositioning gimbal onboard for the antenna.

 

[Downs]

That's honestly not much more than I'm paying for Hughes net right now. The only option where I live and it's total garbage. I'll be interested to see the uplink/downlink speeds when they bring it on line.

 

[trail_runn4r]

That's honestly not much more than I'm paying for Hughes net right now. The only option where I live and it's total garbage. I'll be interested to see the uplink/downlink speeds when they bring it on line.

I have read some feedback from the first users and the average seems to be 100-150 Mbps.

 

[janders]

Clearly you're working too much.

Could you tell my wife that, please?

 

[Brewbud]

You would need an stabilized autopositioning gimbal onboard for the antenna.

They have this for other systems so it won't be a problem. It is one of the markets they are after.

 

[Etoimos]

More options is always better. And while I do go exploring to get away, it would be pretty sweet to update and share trips in real time with people you want to.

 

[KonzaLander]

I would never want to bring the internet on a trip with me. I love getting away and seeing the "X" over my cell signal indicator. That is half the reason I travel!

That's honestly not much more than I'm paying for Hughes net right now. The only option where I live and it's total garbage. I'll be interested to see the uplink/downlink speeds when they bring it on line.

I am in the same boat with HughesNet at home and hate it. I gave Starlink my email address and physical address in hopes of being an early adopter of their system.

 

[Downs]

I would never want to bring the internet on a trip with me. I love getting away and seeing the "X" over my cell signal indicator. That is half the reason I travel!

This could be awesome for those that work remote and are able to travel AND work. Now instead of making sure they make it to a town or area with suffecient cell service they can pop up their Starlink setup next to the Alpine lake in the middle of BFE do their work and never have to packup camp.