Hello all. New here and very new to this genre of electronics. I am a private pilot and fly a small experimental airplane. I tried Starlink for aviation a couple of months back before the price increase, but while using it I always wondered something. It seemed the biggest issue I had was where to put the Starlink mini antenna since my plane is already cramped for space. I had the thought of having a flexible antenna attached to the outside of the plane and the electronics inside away from the elements. I know I have seen videos of people in remote areas rolling out an antenna and attaching electronics and making a call or sending a message or whatever. First, is that even a real thing or am I remembering some movie scene? Second, is that even possible? Aren't antennas essentially just an array of wires, all be it precisely designed for the intended frequency but just wires nun the less? Wires are flexible so can't those wires be installed into a flexible package that would allow it to be rolled up and stowed away or stuck to different curved surfaces, assuming the array was properly configured of course? I understand that different shapes could reduce the effectiveness of the array but I'm just wondering if it's even possible and if it's not why? I am just starting my journey down this rabbit hole so before I get too deep for nothing, I thought I might as well ask people who would know these things. Maybe save me some time in either event. Looking forward to your answers and thoughts. Thanks in advance. PS I'm not that smart so someone much smarter than me must have thought of this already.
Starlink Antenna Question
- Thread starter jakuzi1
- Start date
Have you tried searching for a mobile starlink antenna?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
That's not going to work. The Starlink antenna holds the phased array antenna, transceiver and all the electronics. You can't simply remote a separate flexible antenna outside the aircraft.
The entire antenna portion would need to be outside, or at least inside the aircraft with NO metal between it and the sky.
vagrant
ker-muhj-uhn
A.
The best chance would be to use the Starlink Mini dish next to a window facing upwards as much as possible. Alternatively, there is Starlink Direct to Cell service, but that's just text for now, as far as I know. Later this year there are potential plans to offer voice and data via the cell-to-satellite service. Still, even with the cellphone charging while in use, the TX/RX would not be of the level of a Starlink Mini dish.
www.satelliteinternet.com
B.
Alternatively, there is the option of an Iridium phone and service plan. While I have used Iridium handheld transceivers, such as the Icom IC-SAT100 that allow for an external antenna connection, I have not used/tested an Iridium phone. There is as definite increased cost factor here for both hardware and service plans on the phone service.
C.
Personally, I would use a Garmin inReach device. I have the older Garmin SE+. These devices interface with your phone via an app and would allow you to send and receive text messages. The service plans also allow for tracking and more. Pricing varies based on the services needed. Again, these Garmin devices need a view of the sky/satellites, but are quite small compared to the Starlink Mini dish. They recharge via USB as well. A newer model allows for photo and voice messages (30 seconds) as well. I think I pay around $10/month for a standby plan and if I need to send a text it's like an additional $1 or $0.10, I forget which. I am not bothered if I need to TX/RX 10 text messages and it costs me $10 if I have an emergency, or simply need a tow, or convey a message so that others do not worry if running late. If there was an emergency, one could simply press and hold the SOS button for a few seconds without any need of fooling around with a phone and the app.
* Here is something to note with the Garmin, once you send the message via the phone app it will attempt to send it. If a satellite is not available at the moment, it will send the message when another Iridium satellite comes into view. The same goes for receive as well.
The best chance would be to use the Starlink Mini dish next to a window facing upwards as much as possible. Alternatively, there is Starlink Direct to Cell service, but that's just text for now, as far as I know. Later this year there are potential plans to offer voice and data via the cell-to-satellite service. Still, even with the cellphone charging while in use, the TX/RX would not be of the level of a Starlink Mini dish.
Starlink T-Satellite: Cost, Compatible Phones & Coverage (2026) | SatelliteInternet.com
T-Satellite costs $10/month (or free with Experience Beyond) and works with 60+ phones on any carrier. See pricing, compatible devices, and how to activate it.
www.satelliteinternet.com
B.
Alternatively, there is the option of an Iridium phone and service plan. While I have used Iridium handheld transceivers, such as the Icom IC-SAT100 that allow for an external antenna connection, I have not used/tested an Iridium phone. There is as definite increased cost factor here for both hardware and service plans on the phone service.
C.
Personally, I would use a Garmin inReach device. I have the older Garmin SE+. These devices interface with your phone via an app and would allow you to send and receive text messages. The service plans also allow for tracking and more. Pricing varies based on the services needed. Again, these Garmin devices need a view of the sky/satellites, but are quite small compared to the Starlink Mini dish. They recharge via USB as well. A newer model allows for photo and voice messages (30 seconds) as well. I think I pay around $10/month for a standby plan and if I need to send a text it's like an additional $1 or $0.10, I forget which. I am not bothered if I need to TX/RX 10 text messages and it costs me $10 if I have an emergency, or simply need a tow, or convey a message so that others do not worry if running late. If there was an emergency, one could simply press and hold the SOS button for a few seconds without any need of fooling around with a phone and the app.
* Here is something to note with the Garmin, once you send the message via the phone app it will attempt to send it. If a satellite is not available at the moment, it will send the message when another Iridium satellite comes into view. The same goes for receive as well.
Have a look at the teardown videos out there. They use a "huge" phased array, with about 1200 antenna elements in a honeycomb and PC-board printed phasing harness and chips, and apparently still need az/el motors to accomplish complete steering. The freqs in use (hundreds of megabits of bandwidth at 10 and 14 GHz), would make any sort of flexible transmission line impractical without down-converting, so you'll always need some electronics in the antenna assembly anyway, so it might as well go all the way to WiFi with another couple square inches of chip.
K5MPH
Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2003
- Messages
- 1,690
- Reaction score
- 273
I have a starlink mini and put in the front window on the dash board while in the car do you not have some space in your plane on the dash board .........
