Elizabeth & Shawn Another interesting project for sure ! Shawn is always very methodical in his approach to any and all projects on board MV Freedom. I have always been amazed that no matter the project, he determines how he wants to do the project and then gets it done in fine style !! Bravo Shawn as you have endured all things such as cold, heat and snow to complete your projects and Elizabeth is always there assisting with a smile on her face. Can't wait to see the install of Starlink in the upcoming video. Enjoy your weekend and be safe !
In a past life I was a TV repairman, telephone exchange techie, electronic cryptographic systems repairman, electronics tech working on spy satellites, field tech for early modems, a field tech for Tektronix, and a creative for Apple. Oh and I own and operate a 65’ Fleming on the east coast from the Bahamas to Canada. That said you are a tech God. Tearing the Starlink apart, testing, engineering a new waterproof mount, replacing the KVH antenna and getting this all to work puts you in a class with Wil Proust the UA-cam God of electrical power. Kudos. You are truly a gift to one another. You are one of the few that I would trust with my life at sea. I have a Starlink on Joy our Fleming65. Currently mounted to our aft rail when we are at anchor. Works great. I can foresee replacing the KVH domes and ditching DirecTV altogether. We now get weather, news and entertainment just like being at home. All of our gear is connected. Russound for video and music, AppleTVs, iPads and iPhones, Furuno chartplotters all on line. Placing an order for a second Starlink for our home in Utah. Thanks for the video.
Super exciting to read that folks are using these successfully on their boats. How long does it take to establish a high-bandwidth connection once you're on anchor? I assume it doesn't work reliably underway, but would love to assume wrong.
We do not deploy when underway. Setup and reconnect once anchored or at a marina is fast and easy. It takes a few minutes to scan and lock but once in sync it works fine. I use Maps to find an address nearby. Any address works.
Sweet! You have been addressing my wants and needs these last couple of weeks. If it works for you the it will be installed on my soon to be new to me boat. Cool. Thank you. Be safe.
its a gamechanger !! We put one on our boat using the roam feature they just launched. we bought a pole mount for the antenna that made it look better. we now can work and surf from anywhere. we love ours !
Pro tip - Starlink is designed for a min elevation angle of 25 degrees. By defeating the phased array’s gimbal mechanism, you’re limiting your field of view to satellites passing 25 to 155 degrees overhead. The impact is that your terminal will see fewer satellites (reducing connection opportunities) and reduce the average duration of your connection.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as an engineer, I definitely would not permanently mount this antenna. The ability to remove it while traveling and when the boat is unoccupied seems like a plus and avoids exposure to elements and thieves.
I am curious as to how well it will work in Desolation Sound and inlets along coastal BC. I'm not sure if my memory is working but I seem to recall you were going to do a North to Alaska type trip before you sailed away to warmer climes in your future. StarLink should get a good work out there.
Well....007 is also MacGyver too. LOL. Shawn's skills never cease to amaze me. Congrats on a Pro Install. I'll be interested to see how it works in a cove with hills or mountains on three sides. I know for a fact that the Starlink does not like trees. Nice work Captain.
This is super dope! Waiting for part 2. I am in the process of purchasing a Nordic Tug 44’ and was going to try to devise a dome solution for Dishy. It will be interesting to see how well the top of Dishy will hold up to the UV rays mixed with ocean conditions.
This is my big question. I'd have my doubts that it was engineered for marine environments and between salt and the sun, how will it fare? I would have zero faith that it would make it a year. It's not that SpaceX can't engineer for such an environment, they surely can but why spend the time and money? Then again, maybe I get surprised! :D
Lol... If aesthetics are so important you would think that all of the other equipment up there would be held to the same standards. Not to mention that the boat has more of a tug boat vibe than a super yacht. But it's interesting to see the results of this experiment. 👍🏻
@@carsonc1272 You really should read more carefully. I said attractive features of a Trawler. I have owned five large boats in my 78 years; all semi-working boats and a trawler is at the top of the list
waiting for part II... looks good so far. one of the operation screens displays the dynamic RSSI number... it'd be interesting to see the rssi with/without the dome on top the antenna as a comparison. i know you're not planning on using it but there are some looking in that direction for their existing domes. tks.
id also be curious how much bandwidth is lost at different locations. The original rotating mechanism wasn't designed for moving vehicles, so it most likely wouldn't have lasted long anyway on a boat.
I installed my Starlink antenna in an unused dome on my boat. My 65’ Fleming has a pair of domes. One holds the KVH/DirecTV antenna and the second is empty and is basically a radar reflector. After testing and using the antenna mounted to the aft flybridge rail I relocated it to the dome. Cannot be seen. Prior to moving the antenna I was able to get terrific speeds off shore from Florida to Nova Scotia. I run off shore from 10 to 30 miles. Initial testing excluded the Bahamas as BT had not signed the partnering agreement w/Starlink. The only place we were without a good connection was in the Gulf of Maine during transits from Cape Cod to Cape Sable. When we were about 30 miles off the Nova Scotia coast we lost connection. Regained when approached Cape Cod at about another 30 miles. My understanding is that this dead zone will be covered once the satellites are able to send data via another satellite.
The key here is your location. The first gen Starlink Sats that were launched must communicate directly with a land relay station (due to their LEO orbit they have a limited range). The newest sats that are being launched can relay between themselves to reach the closest land relay. This means that this should work as long as you are within range of the relay (say along the coast). If you go out say crossing the pacific this wont work (yet). The good news is that most of the Bahamas and Caribbean should be covered by end of 2023.
The Starlink unit works in Alaska. I think it might rain a lot up there. Snow falls on these units, freezes and then melts. Maybe not good on a submarine. I use the unit on the hardtop on my 45' sport fisher in storms and still get reception in a non-prime coverage location.
Honestly I didn't think it looked that bad on the roof with all the other things already up there. Hope it works out for you in the long term after all the effort.
Hello, you guys are great. Love watching your show. I just don't understand why you guys don't get more subscribers or views. I hope for the best in the future. Can't wait till you guys retire and head for the Wide Open Seas. I wish you guys all the luck in the world, the world at sea.
Just because you can do something and you enjoy experimenting; doesn't mean you do it. Your pilothouse "roof" is festooned with antenni and the addition of a fully functional Starlink antenna would not be ugly or distracting. Most people use a short pole mount.
Did starlink technical support provide any advice? I was surprised that your test of horizontal mounting worked, thinking that if so why do they even have an aiming motor. So I’m going to be wondering all week to see your next show to see if this works. PS: Thank you for three “technical” shows in a row. Music and video very well done.
I have the same concern about eliminating the steering mechanism. It may work horizontally in his two test cases but that may assume there is a functioning Starlink constellation directly above the antenna. Given it may be a couple of years before Starlink stitches together total coverage of North America, there will probably be a regular need to access a distant constellation closer to the horizon. That may very well be the downfall of Shawn's modification. Also, Starlink has acknowledged the equipment's inability to stay linked up when used in a moving vehicle. It's highly likely an implented solution to that problem will involve the steering motors and improvements in the steering circuitry and firmware. Meeting an acceptable short term goal of clean visual lines may very well come back to bite them in the long run...
It will say motors stuck = true. So on the app it will warn with a red banner that they are stuck. No effect other than that. Works fine in motion, but having it perfectly level could allow water to bubble up on it. On a boat not so much since it rocks, but on other objects it could be an issue.
Ugly in this case is definitely in the eye of the beholder. To me that area of the boat is for communication and sensor antenna’s and the Starlink is smaller than the big simrad antenna that rotates when in use. But everyone is different only an issue if Starlink enforces its terms of use policy and shuts you off based on unauthorized modifications to the dish. I haven’t heard of them doing this though
Hi great video, couple of questions probably had this for a few weeks now have you had any interfearance from you Radar degrading your upload and downloads. Obviously you will not use the radar along side but was intrested if it did have any affect
The title brought here. "We're going to fabricate a new mount' got my undecided attention. Then the 3 axis milling machine showed up - Subscribed! That algorithm might know me too well.
Hey! how's this working for you now, with all the changes they made to the plans for us out on the water? I'm looking for a solution for my sailboat here in Seattle, but unsure which option to go with these days.
Sean, this will be your #1 video for views in no time. You know EVERYONE will want your flat mount, you should think about selling them?? All the Best TK
Nice Work Shawn, really well done ! 👍 Starlink does make a lot of sense, and I was planning to go that route when I got a motor yacht (thinking managing another Sailboat due to disability was now out of the question), but now I've found a Sailboat I can easily ma age single handed, plus can get it with twin keels, so it an dry out safely - this ability can massively reduce the costs for de sliming the bottom, changing Anodes, checking the bow thruster properly, plus keeping a close eye on the protective finish on the Volvo Saildrive, enabling rapid and easy touch up if necessary. It's a Deck Saloon, so a bit like a Trawler inside, but much better hand holds etc, for safe moving around inside.My disability is a bit like having a wooden leg, without the firm support of a wooden leg. Arrr Jim Lad Lol. A worry though, being a Sailboat, is if a suitable dish becomes available, will the extra electric load ended, be manageable. Solar and Wind should produce useful amounts, but the Space for a House Battery Bank appears limited, so I'm following your Lithium Battery Bank experience going forward with great interest. tbh, I don't like Lithium, apart from the difficulty with recycling them, there are potential issues from rapid charging, plus phone ones, at the end of their service life pretty much dissolve into a destructive liquid that takes out the circuitry inside the phone or tablet, such that batteries should be changed between 4 and 5 years old Maximum, if they have beenbtreated right, with no fast charging - it's actually why Apple put such h low amperage Chargers with their phones, to maximise their service lives (Samsung fast chargers are similarly low power) . Thankfully Lithium Battery Technology is improving, so fingers crossed, but as I plan on traveling to far away exotic places with my boat, I'm hoping to get away with enough Carbon AGM batteries, so that if I get a failure in the middle of nowhere, getting AGM replacements should be available to tide me over, and be an easy, though heavy drop in. There are many benefits that come with having a Nordhavn, and having enough electrical power, and the space for decent sized Battery Banks, are among them. Happy Wakes to you both, and fuss to both dogs. Keep up the great work, and Best Wishes. Bob. Maybe see you out there somewhere in a couple of years. 👍🙂
Ok, so I've always been impressed with Shawn's skills, but this takes it to a whole new level. I think I'm developing a man crush. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. 😂) So since most of us aren't at Shawn's level nor have that kind of equipment at our disposal I'm assuming if this works you will be selling conversion kits? I want to be at the top of the list. I won't be able to sleep at night if you have something on Freedom that I don't have on Edonismo. Oh wait, you have Elizabeth. I lose again. 🤦🏻♂
Love this video! I hope that antenna rotation isn't used for cross-polarization commissioning during unit startup. If you have bad crosspol isolation you can cause interference on the network, and your transmit might be remotely inhibited by Starlink (aka banned). Subjectively I'd guess starlink is a circular polarized system and this shouldn't be a problem at all. I'm most interested in how the phased array keeps up with vessel motion even while you are at anchor.
I was trying to figure out how you managed to get that plane wing to fly backwards at 05:30. Perhaps some editing issues there. Good to see you flew 'back' (forwards) later!!! 🤣🤣🤣
I looked forward to this all week, and am certainly looking forward to the next episode. Have you had to subscribed to Starlinks Portability Program or just using roaming? I note starlink make it clear its not for use while mobile - I wonder if they can tell. They do say if out of yoru service area then you make get slower service since priority is given to users in their service area. Loved your skills on the Mill - would have loved to seen more footage of you making the new back. Now we wait for 7 more days
If Elon Musk sees this video, he's going to fire half of the design department for producing an antenna with unnecessary costly elements. The new design proposed by Shawn reduces the production cost of the antenna by at least 30%.
FWIW, it looked like you made the new mounting plate from HDPE (like King Starboard). 5200 doesn't really bond with that well. Not much does other than a few purpose made adhesives however some cyanoacrylates (superglue) and epoxies do. Will be watching closely to see how this works for you as I know plenty of people in the Bay area who would like to try it even if only for stationary(ish) use and not underway.
stumbled upon this - youtube algorithm right. fantastic machining, 'dishy' looks cleaner after you removed the base then before. i was dubious in regards to how this would go speed wise considering it cannot steer itself, shy of the phazed array, but i watched your install and it looks like good download speeds still. Are you able to download something largeish and graph the speed over time, i'd be curious to know when a starlink sat moves in and out of the observable sky how much effect it has considering it cant move. the only reason i say this, is considering the high speeds you got, why would they add the remote base, its just a wearable part that adds cost and complexity, why not install all dishes directly up,. either which way, nice work. very clean
Hi guys. Just stumbled across your channel.Great viewing. I am living aboard a slightly smaller boat in Australia. Was wondering about fitting starlink here. Have the coverage. Like the idea of mounting the dish flat. Didn’t think you could. How is it working for you. Cheers from down under. Norm
I appreciate a person willing to adventure a bit outside the box if you were. Rules only apply for those who live by the rules and obviously that's not your thing and that's impressive. I have only one question is the Bridgeport onboard? Nicely done, a slitting saw might have cut with less tool pressure but that's not ment as criticism it's just a thought.
Might not be so simple (?). Somewhere, I read that the motors are used to align the dish to a north-based reference. As reference is lost (and detected) re-alignment occurs. Once at the proper reference plane, the active array has sufficient "window" to operate efficiently. Curious if you might experience intermittency of service as your boat rotates through a 360 degree arc. Also, I suspect the dish will only be flat to the horizon at the equator, further limiting "view". As it is being mounted on the deck, surely some of the items proximal to the dish will block line of sight to a satellite. Finally, curious if the firmware might detect the lack of motor current and continually attempt to align the dish.. eventually failing. Perhaps you have sacrificed best performance for invisibility among a forest of other protruding stuff?
Is that Starlink antenna a continuous satellite seeking system; for example, at anchor where M/V Freedom might drift a bit with tides and wind and currents; as a result, will it continue to aim at transceiver satellite? Seems to me this system might be better suited to fixed dock moorage where only variable for satellite finding and tracking might be tide?
There is a 8' pole accessory. I would caution about not disabling the servos it's how it finds satellites. Takes 12 hours for it to try different configurations to optimize. Currently it's not designed to be working while you're moving starlink is aware of this and is working on it for a future update.
You are way off here. Others have done some similar teardowns for flat mounting on top of vehicles, and achieved seamless connectivity (similar to stationary unmodified dish) while driving at 80MPH. Now you have to pay $25/month for roaming, but it absolutely works. Working on a moving boat is a low bar by comparison.
@@rc98092 the boat would certainly be slower, but I dont know if it would be easier. A car would be mainly only one axis to adjust, rotation. A boat would have 3 - rotation plus pitch and yaw. Of course the environment is far more hostile and the physical systems will be strained more, but those are different issues. Will be interesting to see how it does though.
![INSTALL & REVIEW of our custom SpaceX STARLINK on a Nordhavn 43 trawler! [MV FREEDOM SEATTLE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GHHCK6aARn0/mqdefault.jpg)
![INSTALL & REVIEW of our custom SpaceX STARLINK on a Nordhavn 43 trawler! [MV FREEDOM SEATTLE]](/img/tr.png)
![There's trouble in paradise aboard our Nordhavn 43 yacht!!! [MV FREEDOM SEATTLE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/C57i3gDt3EU/mqdefault.jpg)
Starlink needs to hire you as a maritime consultant Shawn - awesome - actually it’s incredible - 👍
@@jerryfrost4344 lol, ok….
Elizabeth & Shawn Another interesting project for sure ! Shawn is always very methodical in his approach to any and all projects on board MV Freedom. I have always been amazed that no matter the project, he determines how he wants to do the project and then gets it done in fine style !! Bravo Shawn as you have endured all things such as cold, heat and snow to complete your projects and Elizabeth is always there assisting with a smile on her face. Can't wait to see the install of Starlink in the upcoming video. Enjoy your weekend and be safe !
First comment, woohoo. Staying up late in Australia to watch the Spanish F1 race but getting an MV Freedom video is a nice bonus
Move to South Africa, here the GPs start at 3pm!
Great episode, thus man is extremely handy.
In a past life I was a TV repairman, telephone exchange techie, electronic cryptographic systems repairman, electronics tech working on spy satellites, field tech for early modems, a field tech for Tektronix, and a creative for Apple. Oh and I own and operate a 65’ Fleming on the east coast from the Bahamas to Canada. That said you are a tech God. Tearing the Starlink apart, testing, engineering a new waterproof mount, replacing the KVH antenna and getting this all to work puts you in a class with Wil Proust the UA-cam God of electrical power. Kudos. You are truly a gift to one another. You are one of the few that I would trust with my life at sea. I have a Starlink on Joy our Fleming65. Currently mounted to our aft rail when we are at anchor. Works great. I can foresee replacing the KVH domes and ditching DirecTV altogether. We now get weather, news and entertainment just like being at home. All of our gear is connected. Russound for video and music, AppleTVs, iPads and iPhones, Furuno chartplotters all on line. Placing an order for a second Starlink for our home in Utah. Thanks for the video.
Super exciting to read that folks are using these successfully on their boats. How long does it take to establish a high-bandwidth connection once you're on anchor? I assume it doesn't work reliably underway, but would love to assume wrong.
We do not deploy when underway. Setup and reconnect once anchored or at a marina is fast and easy. It takes a few minutes to scan and lock but once in sync it works fine.
I use Maps to find an address nearby. Any address works.
Great modification !! Look good and we’ll done!!
Fair winds ⛵️
Man I love this. Thinking outside the square. Just so good to see someone work it out, design and build a solution. Well done sir!!
That took a fair amount of guts to cut that open. Well done! As always, thanks for taking us along on the journey.
Shawn's plane flight was awesome!....looked like it was going backwards lol
Starlink is a game changer for remote areas. We get 210M in the middle of nowhere Texas. How do you think I'm watching this episode? Lol
Great job. Very impressive conversion. Cant wait to get your test results.
Awesome video! Yes, part two, please.
Sweet! You have been addressing my wants and needs these last couple of weeks. If it works for you the it will be installed on my soon to be new to me boat. Cool. Thank you. Be safe.
Kudos for cutting in Four Christmases lol - that is a must watch for me over the holidays!
Another good one Shawn. I do enjoy the technical shows as much or more than the pure scenic episodes, all are great though, have not missed one.
its a gamechanger !! We put one on our boat using the roam feature they just launched. we bought a pole mount for the antenna that made it look better. we now can work and surf from anywhere. we love ours !
How well does it wok at anchor when the boat is moving around and rolling
Awesome ! Paving the way for a boat version of starlink !
Heya so happy you are now having stable and reliable internet connection!
Amazing ingenuity!
Great episode this week. 👍
So awesome to see the Captain Shawn in his professional environment!!!
Pro tip - Starlink is designed for a min elevation angle of 25 degrees. By defeating the phased array’s gimbal mechanism, you’re limiting your field of view to satellites passing 25 to 155 degrees overhead. The impact is that your terminal will see fewer satellites (reducing connection opportunities) and reduce the average duration of your connection.
Yes. Part two please.
Im confident that you did your homework and all worked as planned. But, lets wait and see.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as an engineer, I definitely would not permanently mount this antenna. The ability to remove it while traveling and when the boat is unoccupied seems like a plus and avoids exposure to elements and thieves.
Excellent adaptation...very cool well done!
I am curious as to how well it will work in Desolation Sound and inlets along coastal BC. I'm not sure if my memory is working but I seem to recall you were going to do a North to Alaska type trip before you sailed away to warmer climes in your future. StarLink should get a good work out there.
This is an amazing idea, really hope it works.
Well....007 is also MacGyver too. LOL. Shawn's skills never cease to amaze me. Congrats on a Pro Install. I'll be interested to see how it works in a cove with hills or mountains on three sides. I know for a fact that the Starlink does not like trees. Nice work Captain.
How did you remove the pipe to expose the wire like that?
I don't understand how this is any uglier than the rest of the stuff on top of the pilothouse.
Let’s go summer!
Jeebus! Those are better DL/UL speeds than I’ve EVER had at either of my homes on CA and OR! I’m hella jealous. 🤪
My new favorite channel!!!
Must have nerves of steel, great job.
This is super dope! Waiting for part 2. I am in the process of purchasing a Nordic Tug 44’ and was going to try to devise a dome solution for Dishy. It will be interesting to see how well the top of Dishy will hold up to the UV rays mixed with ocean conditions.
This is my big question. I'd have my doubts that it was engineered for marine environments and between salt and the sun, how will it fare? I would have zero faith that it would make it a year.
It's not that SpaceX can't engineer for such an environment, they surely can but why spend the time and money?
Then again, maybe I get surprised! :D
On your starlink account page click outside your service area it's an extra $25 a month. Works great on our boat in SF Bay area
Lol... If aesthetics are so important you would think that all of the other equipment up there would be held to the same standards. Not to mention that the boat has more of a tug boat vibe than a super yacht. But it's interesting to see the results of this experiment. 👍🏻
Carson ; I guess that you are not aware of the functionality and attractive features of a “Trawler”
@@FunFlyingPilot Attractive trawler? 🤔 That's an oxymoron if I've ever heard one.
@@carsonc1272 You really should read more carefully. I said attractive features of a Trawler. I have owned five large boats in my 78 years; all semi-working boats and a trawler is at the top of the list
Another Awesome video, true engineering genius. at least if it works it will. Not sure how it will like not being about to move it's motors.
waiting for part II... looks good so far. one of the operation screens displays the dynamic RSSI number... it'd be interesting to see the rssi with/without the dome on top the antenna as a comparison. i know you're not planning on using it but there are some looking in that direction for their existing domes. tks.
Nice video! Pretty interesting! Stay safe Freedom crew! 👍👍
I was in the middle of thinking about this myself! Ha great minds!
Nice project. Surprised that Starlink didn't already have a solution
Marinized terminals are postponed until satellite laser interlink will be launched massively.
I'm curious about how much bandwidth is lost by the lack of tipping ability, and whether rocking and heeling from waves causes the antenna issues.
id also be curious how much bandwidth is lost at different locations. The original rotating mechanism wasn't designed for moving vehicles, so it most likely wouldn't have lasted long anyway on a boat.
Fantastic work on the modification. A PA Starlink appreciates it.
Sweet job.
I installed my Starlink antenna in an unused dome on my boat. My 65’ Fleming has a pair of domes. One holds the KVH/DirecTV antenna and the second is empty and is basically a radar reflector. After testing and using the antenna mounted to the aft flybridge rail I relocated it to the dome. Cannot be seen. Prior to moving the antenna I was able to get terrific speeds off shore from Florida to Nova Scotia. I run off shore from 10 to 30 miles. Initial testing excluded the Bahamas as BT had not signed the partnering agreement w/Starlink. The only place we were without a good connection was in the Gulf of Maine during transits from Cape Cod to Cape Sable. When we were about 30 miles off the Nova Scotia coast we lost connection. Regained when approached Cape Cod at about another 30 miles. My understanding is that this dead zone will be covered once the satellites are able to send data via another satellite.
This is great thanks - I was thinking of doing the same. Did you disable the motors on the Starlink? Any tips appreciated. I have KVH TV6 domes.
How did you fabricate the replacement cover? That would have been interesting to see. Thanks for the videos.
Sadly Shawn got lazy and didn’t film that part 😏
Considering all of the equipment on the boat's overhead, the Starling looks slick: shower, thinner, smaller, ...
10:22 Love the milling part where the safety squint sign is over Sean's shoulder the whole time. Intentional I am sure.
He’s terrible with safety 😡
The key here is your location. The first gen Starlink Sats that were launched must communicate directly with a land relay station (due to their LEO orbit they have a limited range). The newest sats that are being launched can relay between themselves to reach the closest land relay. This means that this should work as long as you are within range of the relay (say along the coast). If you go out say crossing the pacific this wont work (yet). The good news is that most of the Bahamas and Caribbean should be covered by end of 2023.
interesting video thank you Shawn and Elizabeth
nice job waiting for part 2
The Starlink unit works in Alaska. I think it might rain a lot up there. Snow falls on these units, freezes and then melts. Maybe not good on a submarine. I use the unit on the hardtop on my 45' sport fisher in storms and still get reception in a non-prime coverage location.
Would the antenna fit into a 24 inch empty dome? The flat roof mount was a great idea though!
Shawn, do you have a CAD model or CNC file you'd want to share for the base plate?
What did you make the base from? What adhesive did you use? Thanks for sharing
Honestly I didn't think it looked that bad on the roof with all the other things already up there. Hope it works out for you in the long term after all the effort.
Hello, you guys are great. Love watching your show. I just don't understand why you guys don't get more subscribers or views. I hope for the best in the future. Can't wait till you guys retire and head for the Wide Open Seas. I wish you guys all the luck in the world, the world at sea.
Very good stuff!!!!!!
I like the video a lot ! I am a elect / mech engineer and this is good work. Thanks for sharing.
Great job as always. Ty for sharing:)
Just because you can do something and you enjoy experimenting; doesn't mean you do it. Your pilothouse "roof" is festooned with antenni and the addition of a fully functional Starlink antenna would not be ugly or distracting. Most people use a short pole mount.
Brilliant
NEAT!
14:00 for watching multiple times
Did starlink technical support provide any advice? I was surprised that your test of horizontal mounting worked, thinking that if so why do they even have an aiming motor. So I’m going to be wondering all week to see your next show to see if this works. PS: Thank you for three “technical” shows in a row. Music and video very well done.
I have the same concern about eliminating the steering mechanism. It may work horizontally in his two test cases but that may assume there is a functioning Starlink constellation directly above the antenna. Given it may be a couple of years before Starlink stitches together total coverage of North America, there will probably be a regular need to access a distant constellation closer to the horizon. That may very well be the downfall of Shawn's modification.
Also, Starlink has acknowledged the equipment's inability to stay linked up when used in a moving vehicle. It's highly likely an implented solution to that problem will involve the steering motors and improvements in the steering circuitry and firmware. Meeting an acceptable short term goal of clean visual lines may very well come back to bite them in the long run...
Nice to be a Machinist! I do lots of brackets and such for my toy hauler. Great job!
We sure enjoy your videos!
does it throw any errors about the motors being gone? and how well does it work while in motion?
It will say motors stuck = true. So on the app it will warn with a red banner that they are stuck. No effect other than that. Works fine in motion, but having it perfectly level could allow water to bubble up on it. On a boat not so much since it rocks, but on other objects it could be an issue.
Ugly in this case is definitely in the eye of the beholder. To me that area of the boat is for communication and sensor antenna’s and the Starlink is smaller than the big simrad antenna that rotates when in use. But everyone is different only an issue if Starlink enforces its terms of use policy and shuts you off based on unauthorized modifications to the dish. I haven’t heard of them doing this though
I am so waiting to see how this turns out for you!!!!
Hi great video, couple of questions probably had this for a few weeks now have you had any interfearance from you Radar degrading your upload and downloads. Obviously you will not use the radar along side but was intrested if it did have any affect
We don’t/can’t use it underway.
@@mvfreedom thank you I must have missed that my appologies
Aarrgghhhh. now I have to wait for part two dammit. Smashing vid thank you.
The title brought here. "We're going to fabricate a new mount' got my undecided attention. Then the 3 axis milling machine showed up - Subscribed! That algorithm might know me too well.
Hey! how's this working for you now, with all the changes they made to the plans for us out on the water? I'm looking for a solution for my sailboat here in Seattle, but unsure which option to go with these days.
Sean, this will be your #1 video for views in no time. You know EVERYONE will want your flat mount, you should think about selling them?? All the Best TK
Tom, instead of cutting into it just put it in a box. It's pretty low profile.
Nice Work Shawn, really well done ! 👍
Starlink does make a lot of sense, and I was planning to go that route when I got a motor yacht (thinking managing another Sailboat due to disability was now out of the question), but now I've found a Sailboat I can easily ma age single handed, plus can get it with twin keels, so it an dry out safely - this ability can massively reduce the costs for de sliming the bottom, changing Anodes, checking the bow thruster properly, plus keeping a close eye on the protective finish on the Volvo Saildrive, enabling rapid and easy touch up if necessary. It's a Deck Saloon, so a bit like a Trawler inside, but much better hand holds etc, for safe moving around inside.My disability is a bit like having a wooden leg, without the firm support of a wooden leg. Arrr Jim Lad Lol. A worry though, being a Sailboat, is if a suitable dish becomes available, will the extra electric load ended, be manageable. Solar and Wind should produce useful amounts, but the Space for a House Battery Bank appears limited, so I'm following your Lithium Battery Bank experience going forward with great interest. tbh, I don't like Lithium, apart from the difficulty with recycling them, there are potential issues from rapid charging, plus phone ones, at the end of their service life pretty much dissolve into a destructive liquid that takes out the circuitry inside the phone or tablet, such that batteries should be changed between 4 and 5 years old Maximum, if they have beenbtreated right, with no fast charging - it's actually why Apple put such h low amperage Chargers with their phones, to maximise their service lives (Samsung fast chargers are similarly low power) . Thankfully Lithium Battery Technology is improving, so fingers crossed, but as I plan on traveling to far away exotic places with my boat, I'm hoping to get away with enough Carbon AGM batteries, so that if I get a failure in the middle of nowhere, getting AGM replacements should be available to tide me over, and be an easy, though heavy drop in. There are many benefits that come with having a Nordhavn, and having enough electrical power, and the space for decent sized Battery Banks, are among them. Happy Wakes to you both, and fuss to both dogs. Keep up the great work, and Best Wishes. Bob. Maybe see you out there somewhere in a couple of years. 👍🙂
You need your own UA-cam channel..all the elements.
Ok, so I've always been impressed with Shawn's skills, but this takes it to a whole new level. I think I'm developing a man crush. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. 😂) So since most of us aren't at Shawn's level nor have that kind of equipment at our disposal I'm assuming if this works you will be selling conversion kits? I want to be at the top of the list. I won't be able to sleep at night if you have something on Freedom that I don't have on Edonismo. Oh wait, you have Elizabeth. I lose again. 🤦🏻♂
can you make more flat filler plates and sell online?
Amazing.
Love this video! I hope that antenna rotation isn't used for cross-polarization commissioning during unit startup. If you have bad crosspol isolation you can cause interference on the network, and your transmit might be remotely inhibited by Starlink (aka banned). Subjectively I'd guess starlink is a circular polarized system and this shouldn't be a problem at all. I'm most interested in how the phased array keeps up with vessel motion even while you are at anchor.
Confirmed it is circular polarization, this is a non-issue.
I was trying to figure out how you managed to get that plane wing to fly backwards at 05:30. Perhaps some editing issues there. Good to see you flew 'back' (forwards) later!!! 🤣🤣🤣
I looked forward to this all week, and am certainly looking forward to the next episode. Have you had to subscribed to Starlinks Portability Program or just using roaming? I note starlink make it clear its not for use while mobile - I wonder if they can tell. They do say if out of yoru service area then you make get slower service since priority is given to users in their service area.
Loved your skills on the Mill - would have loved to seen more footage of you making the new back.
Now we wait for 7 more days
We believe Portability is the Roaming for an extra fee.
If Elon Musk sees this video, he's going to fire half of the design department for producing an antenna with unnecessary costly elements.
The new design proposed by Shawn reduces the production cost of the antenna by at least 30%.
FWIW, it looked like you made the new mounting plate from HDPE (like King Starboard). 5200 doesn't really bond with that well. Not much does other than a few purpose made adhesives however some cyanoacrylates (superglue) and epoxies do. Will be watching closely to see how this works for you as I know plenty of people in the Bay area who would like to try it even if only for stationary(ish) use and not underway.
stumbled upon this - youtube algorithm right. fantastic machining, 'dishy' looks cleaner after you removed the base then before. i was dubious in regards to how this would go speed wise considering it cannot steer itself, shy of the phazed array, but i watched your install and it looks like good download speeds still.
Are you able to download something largeish and graph the speed over time, i'd be curious to know when a starlink sat moves in and out of the observable sky how much effect it has considering it cant move. the only reason i say this, is considering the high speeds you got, why would they add the remote base, its just a wearable part that adds cost and complexity, why not install all dishes directly up,. either which way, nice work. very clean
I think there is a company around Seattle making a gyro mount or they adapted a TV one. Can't remember
hey man! nice project you have here!
i have a question, how did you take off the stick from the dish?
Hi guys. Just stumbled across your channel.Great viewing. I am living aboard a slightly smaller boat in Australia. Was wondering about fitting starlink here. Have the coverage. Like the idea of mounting the dish flat. Didn’t think you could. How is it working for you. Cheers from down under. Norm
Coverage in Australia is a little more fringe. Removing the ability to track will significantly reduce coverage I'd imagine
How did you remove the "pole" part that connects to the stand?
How can you be bothered about cosmetics when your roof is covered in antennas?
Some folk are never happy
Sounds like a first world problem to me. I always prided myself on having a well managed antenna farm.
Yeah, this part didn't make sense to me. _THAT_ was ugly, but the other stuff up there isn't?
Just subscribed. We just bought a 51 foot cruiser. We’ve been enjoying your videos for awhile. How did you fabricate that backplate?
Lots of measuring and machining that he failed to film 😏
I appreciate a person willing to adventure a bit outside the box if you were. Rules only apply for those who live by the rules and obviously that's not your thing and that's impressive. I have only one question is the Bridgeport onboard? Nicely done, a slitting saw might have cut with less tool pressure but that's not ment as criticism it's just a thought.
Great work
Nice
i had no idea that you knew your way around a milling machine
Might not be so simple (?). Somewhere, I read that the motors are used to align the dish to a north-based reference. As reference is lost (and detected) re-alignment occurs. Once at the proper reference plane, the active array has sufficient "window" to operate efficiently. Curious if you might experience intermittency of service as your boat rotates through a 360 degree arc. Also, I suspect the dish will only be flat to the horizon at the equator, further limiting "view". As it is being mounted on the deck, surely some of the items proximal to the dish will block line of sight to a satellite. Finally, curious if the firmware might detect the lack of motor current and continually attempt to align the dish.. eventually failing. Perhaps you have sacrificed best performance for invisibility among a forest of other protruding stuff?
do you have a followup video with the flat plate installed?
I have a mill and am in the process of cutting my dish but what did you use to remove the post?
Is that Starlink antenna a continuous satellite seeking system; for example, at anchor where M/V Freedom might drift a bit with tides and wind and currents; as a result, will it continue to aim at transceiver satellite? Seems to me this system might be better suited to fixed dock moorage where only variable for satellite finding and tracking might be tide?
Maybe next add gyrocompass servo mechanism under antenna mount if vessel heading becomes a issue?
There is a 8' pole accessory. I would caution about not disabling the servos it's how it finds satellites. Takes 12 hours for it to try different configurations to optimize. Currently it's not designed to be working while you're moving starlink is aware of this and is working on it for a future update.
Did you mean 8"? Or were you suggesting using an 8' pole to get it above possible obstructions from other equipment on the pilothouse/stack?
You are way off here. Others have done some similar teardowns for flat mounting on top of vehicles, and achieved seamless connectivity (similar to stationary unmodified dish) while driving at 80MPH. Now you have to pay $25/month for roaming, but it absolutely works. Working on a moving boat is a low bar by comparison.
@@rc98092 the boat would certainly be slower, but I dont know if it would be easier. A car would be mainly only one axis to adjust, rotation. A boat would have 3 - rotation plus pitch and yaw. Of course the environment is far more hostile and the physical systems will be strained more, but those are different issues. Will be interesting to see how it does though.
We talk about that next week!
Yup, I'm hoping starlink will release something very similar... if not I shall be out with the dremel and 3d printer for the back housing as well!
Is that system Marine Grade without a dome?