We all love to get totally away from it all, but we also need to stay in touch or call for help. There's a variety of ways to do that; satphones, messagers and distress beacons for example. Now there's Starlink, ultra-high-speed Internet access. This technology is being rolled out, and it could well spell the end of satphones, distress beacons and everything else...as well as our concept of isolation. In this video I explain what satcomms are for 4x4 offroad overlanders, how they work, explode a mobile phone myth, and talk to Marcus Tuck, a permanent round-the-world adventurer who has been using Starlink and gives us the benefit of his experience, along with Dave Darmody of the Australian Offroad Academy (www.australianoffroadacademy.com.au/) So if you want to know what Starlink is and how remote comms works, this is the video for you! It's long, so you can jump to the chapter of interest with the links below: PART 1: How satcomms and Starlink works 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Four reasons you need remote comms 02:16 Remote comms options (satphone) 04:25 The Mobile Phone Satcomms Myth! DO NOT BELIEVE IT!!! 06:48 How satcomms work - the very basics!!! 07:22 How geostationary satellite systems work 10:28 How LEO satellite systems work 11:11 How Starlink works 15:15 Speeds!!!! 17:27 Starlink in Australia & how much it costs 18:11 - 17:32 PART 2: Marcus Tuck - round the world traveller and Starlink user and viewer questions talks about Starlink, while using Starlink! 18:29 Starlink setup in practice and some tech specs eg temp, power draw 20:48 Changing addresses in Starlink 21:06 Future mobile versions and aircraft 21:53 Internet access on the road as an overlanding couple! 23:40 What speeds have you seen? 24:53 Can it be used on yachts at sea? And how far north have you been? 26:40 Worldwide coverage target 27:13 What has your experience been with dropouts? 28:25 Where are the Starlink satellites exactly? Live view 28:46 Do you need a subscription? (also see Starlink in Australia at 16:48) 32:12 Why is the upload slow relative to download? 33:38 How big is the dish physically? Does it have a case? How fast is it to set up? 36:45 When will Starlink be available in Europe? 37:03 Will speeds drop as more users are added? 38:21 Can you mount Starlink on your roof and drive around? Is there a mobile version? 40:31 Will Starlink provide free-to-air TV? Can you make voice/phone calls over Starlink 41:32 Will it work in a forest, is it line of sight? 42:18 Software updates 44:23 Obstruction data 45:16 When do you think a mobile version will be available, any news on that? 46:25 When will all the satellites be up and running? 47:20 Do you have issues accessing country-specific services (geoblocking) ? 47:48 How quick and easy is it to change your service address when you're travelling? 48:43 Dave Darmody - Australian Offroad Academy - his views on Starlink and remote comms 51:40 Which remote comms would Dave recommend for offroad tourers and why? 54:23 Satphone vs Starlink, use of satphones 55:00 I use InReach, are there any other two-way messagers? 56:03 Inmarsat satphones & panic buttons, Thuraya in the Middle East 57:53 Is Internet-everywhere healthy? 59:42 PART 3: Brief comparison of satcomms systems Supporting blog post with lots of links: l2sfbc.com/will-starlink-replace-satphones-for-4x4-overlanders/ Follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/RobertPepperJourno/ Support me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/L2SFBC Buy my books: l2sfbc.com/where-to-buy/
Robert, at home I get 1Gb/second at the desktop on a hard-wired connection. We are on Verizon fiber optics. I support an area in rural New Jersey that only has DSL service. Cost to run cable was quoted at US $ 250k to run 17 miles of cable. We are looking at Starlink, but coverage isn't live yet (later this year). Thanks for the info!
I know a fair amount about this stuff- but learnt a little more! Great work! ❤️ Telstra (and many other providers) must be terrified of Starlink, it’ll be a game changer!
Thanks, pleas share! Yes, I will be cancelling my Telstra broadband when I get Starlink. I can take Starlink with me, and it'll be much faster...why would I bother with sad old Telstra and the NBN?
@@outbackdreamer6445 Even if you DO live in a capital city, …. but also do significant travel during the year, it makes sense. I’m VERY tempted but can’t really justify the expense with us in lockdown for the foreseeable future at the moment. Next year may hopefully be VERY different in all sorts of ways.
@@FutureSystem738 Unfortunately Starlink is not licenced to transmit over Australian capital cities (excluding Canberra) at the moment. But hopefully this will change in the future :-)
@@outbackdreamer6445 The question though is that if you have an alternative address like a family member or holiday home, would you be good to go? I suspect you would???
Thanks for another well researched and articulate presentation. Dave Darmody only mentioned Cel-fi GO in passing but, I wonder what his and your view is as to its suitability for remote(ish) communications? I know that with this product bandwidth is highly limited as is coverage. However, I wonder if it may suit lower bandwidth uses and rural/regional areas as opposed to those who want to download large amounts of data in truly remote areas?
I haven't used it personally and don't plan to; I need data, and Cel-Fi isn't ideal for that. I'm planning on hoisting a data modem into the air maybe a Nighthawk!
@@L2SFBC between Glasgow and Stirling. I know we're in the countryside but we're less than 30 km (18 miles) from either city! You wouldn't believe the hassle I have watching videos (360p max) or uploading to/commenting on Facebook!
Your questioning the effect it (ubiquitous internet / communication connectivity) will have "on our psyche and our health and everything else there" cannot be overstated. While I'm a self admitted lover of technology and it's tremendous benefits, I'm 100% with your that it is 'refreshing and invigorating' to be completely out of mobile phone range. Just look at the dramatic effect the introduction of the smart phone has had. Arguably, not all of the impact has been positive.
So going mobile with starlink, if I go from the UK to the USA with it. Does it change my monthly rate (instead of paying £89 do I pay $90) or does it stay the same no matter where I take the dish?
Actual Starlink user and 220MBS is a deception. I get typically 30MBS which isn't bad for rural Internet. The Starlink app does have a speed test function and it will display 220 like speed. But this isn't real Internet speed but just a internal test connection up to the satellite. Seems to be from the same people who program the Telsa to display a 300mi range and after 50mi of driving it displays 200mi range and after 50mi more it displays 25 mile range.
I have since bought Starlink and find the speeds variable, but definitely well above 200. Of course the "speed" varies on how you measure it, and if the connection from the system you're access on the Internet is slow, then that's not Starlink's fault.
Thank you. Great info. I ordered one and immediatley canclled becuase it says it is attached to fixed address only ? My requirement is to use it anywhere in australia especially duirng outback trips
If you look at the video just after the 20 minute mark, they discuss the “address” problem. Basically, if you shift your address to an active cell, you’re good to go. Whilst (It’s a bit limited at the moment as there are only a fraction of the total number of satellites launched, (1,700 out of 42,000) but it will continually improve, and full mobile use ie: aeroplanes etc will be a thing not far into the future.)
@@L2SFBC I know people on NBN in Oz who get way slower than that and simply can’t get any better because that’s all the copper to their house will support. One of our sons was in that boat until very recently, finally upgraded a month or two ago and can now get up to 100Mbps, though varies.
In order to maintain 42,000 satellites with a life expectancy of 5 years means they'll have to launch 23 satellites per day, every day of the year over the 5 year period and continue to do so. If each satellite ways in at 1/4 ton like you've suggested that's a payload of close to 6 ton, per day. The mind just boggles.....
Pretty interesting. I guess you should change your address before you lose service or your account would be inaccessible. Other than that, how will China or Russia be kept out of the system?
The UN is the source of all of our problems, not China or Russia. Look at why the UN was founded, and look at who build modern-day China. Look at who led their banking reform and shipped all manufacturing there.
@@endgovernmentextremism Time to take the wool out of your eyes. There are threats in the world. But like all CCP bots you try to deflect attention from the real culprit.
@@einfelder8262 Western politicians, bankers, and and CEOs built China. The UN created the current Chinese model. It's sad just how manipulated you are... they are using China as a scapegoat. This is the same good cop / bad cop routine they have done with everything. You have very surface level "knowledge" served up by the media and are extremely boring to engage with. You don't even understand the basics needed to be at square one. China is not the source of the problem, it is a product of it. The UN is the source. Marx was not Chinese.
@@endgovernmentextremism Mao built Red China, he's dead. The UN was formed in 1945 by 51 countries. You are a CCP mole. Your bad English is very obvious, as is your misinformation. Your CCP mole pals certainly have infiltrated the UN since then, but your movement is being pegged back and your effort to dominate the world will fail.
We all love to get totally away from it all, but we also need to stay in touch or call for help. There's a variety of ways to do that; satphones, messagers and distress beacons for example.
Now there's Starlink, ultra-high-speed Internet access. This technology is being rolled out, and it could well spell the end of satphones, distress beacons and everything else...as well as our concept of isolation.
In this video I explain what satcomms are for 4x4 offroad overlanders, how they work, explode a mobile phone myth, and talk to Marcus Tuck, a permanent round-the-world adventurer who has been using Starlink and gives us the benefit of his experience, along with Dave Darmody of the Australian Offroad Academy (www.australianoffroadacademy.com.au/)
So if you want to know what Starlink is and how remote comms works, this is the video for you! It's long, so you can jump to the chapter of interest with the links below:
PART 1: How satcomms and Starlink works
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Four reasons you need remote comms
02:16 Remote comms options (satphone)
04:25 The Mobile Phone Satcomms Myth! DO NOT BELIEVE IT!!!
06:48 How satcomms work - the very basics!!!
07:22 How geostationary satellite systems work
10:28 How LEO satellite systems work
11:11 How Starlink works
15:15 Speeds!!!!
17:27 Starlink in Australia & how much it costs
18:11 - 17:32 PART 2: Marcus Tuck - round the world traveller and Starlink user and viewer questions talks about Starlink, while using Starlink!
18:29 Starlink setup in practice and some tech specs eg temp, power draw
20:48 Changing addresses in Starlink
21:06 Future mobile versions and aircraft
21:53 Internet access on the road as an overlanding couple!
23:40 What speeds have you seen?
24:53 Can it be used on yachts at sea? And how far north have you been?
26:40 Worldwide coverage target
27:13 What has your experience been with dropouts?
28:25 Where are the Starlink satellites exactly? Live view
28:46 Do you need a subscription? (also see Starlink in Australia at 16:48)
32:12 Why is the upload slow relative to download?
33:38 How big is the dish physically? Does it have a case? How fast is it to set up?
36:45 When will Starlink be available in Europe?
37:03 Will speeds drop as more users are added?
38:21 Can you mount Starlink on your roof and drive around? Is there a mobile version?
40:31 Will Starlink provide free-to-air TV? Can you make voice/phone calls over Starlink
41:32 Will it work in a forest, is it line of sight?
42:18 Software updates
44:23 Obstruction data
45:16 When do you think a mobile version will be available, any news on that?
46:25 When will all the satellites be up and running?
47:20 Do you have issues accessing country-specific services (geoblocking) ?
47:48 How quick and easy is it to change your service address when you're travelling?
48:43 Dave Darmody - Australian Offroad Academy - his views on Starlink and remote comms
51:40 Which remote comms would Dave recommend for offroad tourers and why?
54:23 Satphone vs Starlink, use of satphones
55:00 I use InReach, are there any other two-way messagers?
56:03 Inmarsat satphones & panic buttons, Thuraya in the Middle East
57:53 Is Internet-everywhere healthy?
59:42 PART 3: Brief comparison of satcomms systems
Supporting blog post with lots of links:
l2sfbc.com/will-starlink-replace-satphones-for-4x4-overlanders/
Follow me on Facebook:
facebook.com/RobertPepperJourno/
Support me on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/L2SFBC
Buy my books:
l2sfbc.com/where-to-buy/
Thanks for the shoutout Robert!!!
Keep that Starlink news coming please, love your work!
Robert, at home I get 1Gb/second at the desktop on a hard-wired connection. We are on Verizon fiber optics. I support an area in rural New Jersey that only has DSL service. Cost to run cable was quoted at US $ 250k to run 17 miles of cable. We are looking at Starlink, but coverage isn't live yet (later this year). Thanks for the info!
Australian internet is 68th in the world for internet speed.
Yes it's a national embarrassment!
Excellent presentation. Continually impressed with your channel. Thanks!
Thanks, please share!
Sold! Another Starlink customer!
What's your reason for buying?
@@L2SFBC upcoming half lap. From Melbourne up the centre and then down the east coast. 👍
@@DiHandley Is not this device limited for fixed address only ? how can you use it for remote travel ?
Watch the video...
@@L2SFBC Exactly! Just after the 20 minute mark.
Very informative video. 👍🏼
Glad you think so! Please share :-)
I know a fair amount about this stuff- but learnt a little more!
Great work! ❤️
Telstra (and many other providers) must be terrified of Starlink, it’ll be a game changer!
Thanks, pleas share! Yes, I will be cancelling my Telstra broadband when I get Starlink. I can take Starlink with me, and it'll be much faster...why would I bother with sad old Telstra and the NBN?
@@L2SFBC As long as you dont live in a capital city it makes sense.
@@outbackdreamer6445 Even if you DO live in a capital city, …. but also do significant travel during the year, it makes sense.
I’m VERY tempted but can’t really justify the expense with us in lockdown for the foreseeable future at the moment.
Next year may hopefully be VERY different in all sorts of ways.
@@FutureSystem738 Unfortunately Starlink is not licenced to transmit over Australian capital cities (excluding Canberra) at the moment. But hopefully this will change in the future :-)
@@outbackdreamer6445 The question though is that if you have an alternative address like a family member or holiday home, would you be good to go?
I suspect you would???
Thanks for another well researched and articulate presentation. Dave Darmody only mentioned Cel-fi GO in passing but, I wonder what his and your view is as to its suitability for remote(ish) communications? I know that with this product bandwidth is highly limited as is coverage. However, I wonder if it may suit lower bandwidth uses and rural/regional areas as opposed to those who want to download large amounts of data in truly remote areas?
I haven't used it personally and don't plan to; I need data, and Cel-Fi isn't ideal for that. I'm planning on hoisting a data modem into the air maybe a Nighthawk!
My internet here in the UK is just 6.56 Mbps download, 0.61 Mbps upload. No wonder I keep dropping out all the time on UA-cam!
Where in the UK is that???
@@L2SFBC between Glasgow and Stirling. I know we're in the countryside but we're less than 30 km (18 miles) from either city! You wouldn't believe the hassle I have watching videos (360p max) or uploading to/commenting on Facebook!
Your questioning the effect it (ubiquitous internet / communication connectivity) will have "on our psyche and our health and everything else there" cannot be overstated. While I'm a self admitted lover of technology and it's tremendous benefits, I'm 100% with your that it is 'refreshing and invigorating' to be completely out of mobile phone range. Just look at the dramatic effect the introduction of the smart phone has had. Arguably, not all of the impact has been positive.
Glad I'm not the only one concerned!
also worth noting 112/000 can be accessed on any mobile phone whether locked or not from the home screen (without needing to unlock it)
Sorry thought I covered that?
314 down 14.5 up. Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada
Wow!!!!
Great Video! I got my Dishy since Yesterday here in Germany. Hope I dont need the cat dislodge function.
Let us know how it goes please and your speed test results!
@@L2SFBC In the last 24 hours I have constant 200 down and 35 up. No Disco. I am at 52 Degrees north. Installation took five minutes.
Wow that's great!!! Let us know how easy it is to change address if you do so.
So going mobile with starlink, if I go from the UK to the USA with it. Does it change my monthly rate (instead of paying £89 do I pay $90) or does it stay the same no matter where I take the dish?
Same
Actual Starlink user and 220MBS is a deception. I get typically 30MBS which isn't bad for rural Internet. The Starlink app does have a speed test function and it will display 220 like speed. But this isn't real Internet speed but just a internal test connection up to the satellite.
Seems to be from the same people who program the Telsa to display a 300mi range and after 50mi of driving it displays 200mi range and after 50mi more it displays 25 mile range.
I have since bought Starlink and find the speeds variable, but definitely well above 200. Of course the "speed" varies on how you measure it, and if the connection from the system you're access on the Internet is slow, then that's not Starlink's fault.
You left out Ham radio 😕
No I did say HF radio is too old and specialised. I don't see it as a reasonable option for the average person. It has a use for hobbyists.
@@L2SFBC it’s may be old but it’s very reliable !
Thank you. Great info. I ordered one and immediatley canclled becuase it says it is attached to fixed address only ? My requirement is to use it anywhere in australia especially duirng outback trips
If you look at the video just after the 20 minute mark, they discuss the “address” problem.
Basically, if you shift your address to an active cell, you’re good to go. Whilst
(It’s a bit limited at the moment as there are only a fraction of the total number of satellites launched, (1,700 out of 42,000) but it will continually improve, and full mobile use ie: aeroplanes etc will be a thing not far into the future.)
Thanks Future!
The Borg. Soon…
You get 38 because you have a slower NBN plan. I get 98mbs in qld
So...still less than half what Marcus gets in some random campsite in Canada :-)
@@L2SFBC yes but NBN is free install and $80 a month for unlimited data. Starlink is $1000 and $140 a month.
True but if you've bought Starlink then you can just travel with it.
@@L2SFBC I know people on NBN in Oz who get way slower than that and simply can’t get any better because that’s all the copper to their house will support. One of our sons was in that boat until very recently, finally upgraded a month or two ago and can now get up to 100Mbps, though varies.
Up2.66 down 1.4
Bitel Germany Down 3000 up 0.5 and paying for DSL 16000 25 Euro
In order to maintain 42,000 satellites with a life expectancy of 5 years means they'll have to launch 23 satellites per day, every day of the year over the 5 year period and continue to do so. If each satellite ways in at 1/4 ton like you've suggested that's a payload of close to 6 ton, per day. The mind just boggles.....
Yep...the numbers are astronomical!
😁😁😁😁
They have plans to launch 400 satellites directly into their final orbital plans (multiple) on a single Starship launch!
Pretty interesting. I guess you should change your address before you lose service or your account would be inaccessible. Other than that, how will China or Russia be kept out of the system?
The UN is the source of all of our problems, not China or Russia. Look at why the UN was founded, and look at who build modern-day China. Look at who led their banking reform and shipped all manufacturing there.
@@endgovernmentextremism Time to take the wool out of your eyes. There are threats in the world. But like all CCP bots you try to deflect attention from the real culprit.
@@einfelder8262 Western politicians, bankers, and and CEOs built China. The UN created the current Chinese model. It's sad just how manipulated you are... they are using China as a scapegoat. This is the same good cop / bad cop routine they have done with everything. You have very surface level "knowledge" served up by the media and are extremely boring to engage with. You don't even understand the basics needed to be at square one. China is not the source of the problem, it is a product of it. The UN is the source. Marx was not Chinese.
@@einfelder8262 The same people who built Red China built the UN. You are low information.
@@endgovernmentextremism Mao built Red China, he's dead. The UN was formed in 1945 by 51 countries. You are a CCP mole. Your bad English is very obvious, as is your misinformation. Your CCP mole pals certainly have infiltrated the UN since then, but your movement is being pegged back and your effort to dominate the world will fail.