Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

May 01, 2024, 02:51:53 pm

We have been considering upgrading to the starlink system but I do not want to set it up in a portable fashion.  Just don't want to have to deal with it at every stop sooo..  there's a few options for that and some way more expensive than others so I thought could I mount it to my never used TV antenna arm.
 That could allow me to raise it to the proper angle if needed and rotate it as well.    Part of reason I removed the arm and antenna was because I could not get it to stop rattling when under way. Now I have to wonder if the starlink thing would do the same thing.
  I know that some mount them flat and get away with it and some have sprung for the more expensive one that's made for permanent mount which I'm prepared to do if it comes to that , but this forum is a creative bunch so I'm counting on some creative answers. ??

  I also have a creative friend that's going to help me set up and alternate line for when we park under a tree.

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #1 – May 01, 2024, 06:33:29 pm

I'm no expert but I've been using Starlink in my coach for a couple of years. The dish is pretty heavy. I don't think that your antenna is sturdy enough for that use. From what you describe mounting it flat is probably the best option. The problem with that is when you are in the woods and are obstructed it won't work.

Thanks to my good friend Bill, another FT owner, we hard wired the receiver under the fridge. We ran the wire through the fridge vent and glued it on the roof over to the ladder. I use the flagpole Buddy SL mount. When I'm not using the dish the cable slips into a 2 inch PVC pipe the stays in the pole mounts.

It's so easy to deploy. If I'm under the trees I have an extra cable I can set the dish on the ground.

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #2 – May 01, 2024, 07:30:17 pm

Bob, similar to Jeff, I permanently mounted the modem inside the coach next to the small cabinet behind the passenger seat. I then ran the cable through the floor and fished it all the way to the back of the coach.  I left a small coil of cable (long enough to reach the top of the Flag Pole Buddy) inside the motor compartment.  I have the Flag Pole Buddy brackets mounted on the ladder.
Once we park, it's an easy process to set up the Starlink, maybe 5 minutes. You never have to go on the roof or even step onto the ladder.

I too have an extra 75' cable just in case the rear of the coach is under a tree,  I have the extra cable pre-ran through the floor to the modem. I keep the other end coiled up in my front storage bay.  If needed, it's just a matter of plugging it in to the modem, stretching the cable to where needed, and hooking up the Starlink. Works great both ways.

Also, Home Depot carries a plastic storage tote that fits the Starlink head perfectly.

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #3 – May 02, 2024, 03:20:33 pm

Thanks for the replies guys.  I guess it's no different than the tv dish and the challenges it has for coverage.
  Since the new gen 3 has a detachable base available I'll probably go that direction with the optional extra long cable for the tree thing.

  I figured the repurposed antenna idea was a long shot so thanks to Jeff for saving me some time and effort.

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #4 – May 23, 2024, 10:26:38 pm

I recently purchased a gen 3 system and have been doing some bench testing with it.  Although the dish has the kick stand to keep it at a slight incline, many online posts indicate that it works just fine completely flat.  I have done some "bench" testing with it and there is no performance difference between the slight incline and completely flat.  Also, it does not matter what direction the incline is in.

Starlink just released a new permanent mount for the gen 3 dish for mobile application for ~$35. I received mine today.  Much cheaper than the aftermarket stuff I had been looking at.  It appears to be very sturdy. It keeps the dish mounted at a slight incline (8 degrees).  I am unsure of the reason for the incline, but it does not hurt anything.  The mount was made for boats and RVs (the installation pictures show it installed on both a boat and an RV).

Can anyone point me to information on the roof construction on a 2002 U320.  I plan to remove a satellite dish that we are not using and put the starlink mount in its place.  Any advice on mounting stuff to the roof would be greatly appreciated.

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #5 – May 24, 2024, 02:02:46 am

So John, does that mount have the quick disconnect feature.  Since you didn't mention it maybe not.  If so what's your plan for the tree in the way.

 Regardless it's great to find out that gen 3 can be flat mounted.

  On the roof I'm guessing plywood but it's been a few years since I was in there.    I mounted 5 of my 6 solar panels with double stick. They are on there good so I'm thinking I'll do the same on the dishy. 

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #6 – May 24, 2024, 09:19:14 am

Just a suggestion here. Nobody has mentioned using stainless steel screws. Attached are a few pics of what happens when regular metal screws are used---like was done on our coach.
After the screws rotted, the caulk came loose and the water/rain found a new way to get into the ceiling of our coach. NOT FUN!!
Luckily the Kingdome was heavy enough to stay in place.

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #7 – May 24, 2024, 02:46:58 pm

Bob, it does have a disconnect but not necessarily quick.  There are two long set screws that hold the dish in the mount.  Once you back them out, then it comes out like the original kickstand.  The set screws obviously are important to make sure it stays in place while moving.  The plan will be to remove the dish from the roof and manually place it way from the MH if there are obstructions.  One of my other projects will be to try to fish CAT6 cable in place of the phone cable line that is in the service bay.  This way I can use a separate cable for when the Dish is moved ( and also use this line to get internet when at our home base so I can discontinue the StarLink while we are not on the road).

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Re: Tv antenna use as a starlink mount

Reply #8 – May 24, 2024, 02:50:53 pm

Also, the new mount comes with stainless mounting hardware.  Both through bolts and nuts and lag bolts.  The lag bolts are rather large and almost 1 1/2 long which is why I was asking about the roof construction to see if I should get shorter stainless lag bolts.  I would like to avoid going completely through the 3/8 plywood but don't have a feel for the overall thickness of the "stackup" of roof materials.

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