Starlink Mini Mount - Veritas Van Magnetic Disks

[mrjking2000]

So I've been experimenting with different methods to mount the starlink in the bronco. I've just jammed it up above the rear cross member and the hard top, which works great unless your offroading, then it slides out some times.... and I decided I wanted a different solution.

I picked up the Veritas Vans mini mount kit. suction cups for a different vehicle, and the magnets which I figured "MIGHT" work on the bronco if I can get the VHB tape backed round disks to stick. I thought about doing it outside, but didn't want to mess up the exterior finish of the hard top "IF" for some reason those pucks would even do that. Doubt it, but I don't want to find out.

So... I marked out their locations inside the rear compartment, rubbing alcohol wiped off the fiberglass, and stuck those things on. After I let them sit about 10 minutes "here goes nothing" and stuck that mini right on there.

through their mount and the hard top, pulling 100+ megabit down and 15-20 megabit uploads while driving around town at 45 MPH.

pics for reference below. I do have a lithium battery on my shelf in the bronco that i'll eventually tie this into (I already have a way using the factory 50' cable), but since the rear power port can stay on 90 ish minutes, no i never reprogrammed this, I will just use the 12v plug I have for a bit.

Love to hear your thoughts. I can't peel those VHB tape disks off... we're going into cold season in my neck of the woods so we'll have to see how this holds up when it's 100+ outside and the roof of the bronco is even hotter.

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[Brian_B]

Yeah overheat in the summer would be my only concern, and then just need a way to get a air gap between the roof and the dish - looks good

 

[Valhalla]

Read an article about hackers in Malaysia using this. I always wondered what all you guys are doing with this offroad? Does it enhance rock crawling abilities? I guess if you don't have a map it could be useful... Genuinely curious.

 

[Ape Factory]

I see it as a security thing where there's no cell signal and something happens where you need assistance. But yes, definitely maps, OnX maps come to mind, and any other legitimate uses. Plus who doesn't need to shop on Amazon while they're overloading?

 

[Valhalla]

Ahh, I see, I camp....I wheel... therein lies the difference.. I also don't use Amazon.

 

[Brian_B]

Ahh, I see, I camp....I wheel... therein lies the difference.. I also don't use Amazon.

Biggest thing is being able to call for help if you solo. Sucks having to hike out several miles to get 1 bar of cell coverage.

The cost of the dish plus the $5/month standby plan is pretty decent compared to most Sat phones.

And keeping connected to Spotify and search these forums for solutions are just nice perks.

 

[EvilJim1971]

Read an article about hackers in Malaysia using this. I always wondered what all you guys are doing with this offroad? Does it enhance rock crawling abilities? I guess if you don't have a map it could be useful... Genuinely curious.

We have used ours for other to call for assistance after a breakdown.
Also good in case of a medical emergency.
Along with things like connectivity for maps, music, etc.

 

[Valhalla]

We have used ours for other to call for assistance after a breakdown.
Also good in case of a medical emergency.
Along with things like connectivity for maps, music, etc.

I get you guys. I was just messing with ya'll. Here in Tennessee and the surrounding Southeast , we can usually drive 20 minutes to an hour and get connectivity. With my job and my life it is a welcome blessing to get in the hills where the connected world stops.we do not have the wide open spaces some are blessed with. Cherish them, the selfie stick brigade is coming for them. I have 1/4 of the state d/l on my onx, I love cartography so I carry a ton of.. God forbid... paper maps, topo maps etc. I have 10 cds burned onto a thumb drive and GMRS.
Alll that is good enough for what I do.. once I retire Moab, etc... then I'll need that stuff.... I guess... what did they do in 1966...

 

[Brian_B]

I get you guys. I was just messing with ya'll. Here in Tennessee and the surrounding Southeast , we can usually drive 20 minutes to an hour and get connectivity. With my job and my life it is a welcome blessing to get in the hills where the connected world stops.we do not have the wide open spaces some are blessed with. Cherish them, the selfie stick brigade is coming for them. I have 1/4 of the state d/l on my onx, I love cartography so I carry a ton of.. God forbid... paper maps, topo maps etc. I have 10 cds burned onto a thumb drive and GMRS.
Alll that is good enough for what I do.. once I retire Moab, etc... then I'll need that stuff.... I guess... what did they do in 1966...

Yeah. Get up in the High Sierras, or out on like US50 in Nevada in the middle of the desert... it's a hike to get back to cell coverage if you have a breakdown or get good and stuck. We just had a guy at Swamp Lake get stuck for ... 20 days. (this is right down the road from the famous Dusy-Ershim trail, and Bald Mountain which gets talked about some here)

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hunter-s...erness-after-his-truck-gets-stuck-remote-area

Now, admittedly, that guy was where he shouldn't have been. And in 20 days he could have hiked his ass back to Fresno. And he should have told someone where he was going before he went down the trailhead. So other than having several days worth of food (for some odd reason) - there were a lot of ways this could have been prevented. Having some way to call out would have been a good one.

 

[mrjking2000]

my reasoning for rolling around with starlink is 2 fold... 1, i'm frequently in areas with crap or no cell service. and 2, i'm self employed and need to keep in touch with my customer base whether i'm driving on the highway, offroading, camping, etc... my plan after i relocate here in a couple weeks is to eff off more and this will allow me to do it.

the emergency contact ability and running cell call across wifi is just a bonus.

i will be keeping an eye on the heat soaking and seeing if this impacts the VHB tape and/or the dish itself.

 

[ScLeCo]

Yeah. Get up in the High Sierras, or out on like US50 in Nevada in the middle of the desert... it's a hike to get back to cell coverage if you have a breakdown or get good and stuck. We just had a guy at Swamp Lake get stuck for ... 20 days. (this is right down the road from the famous Dusy-Ershim trail, and Bald Mountain which gets talked about some here)

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hunter-s...erness-after-his-truck-gets-stuck-remote-area

Now, admittedly, that guy was where he shouldn't have been. And in 20 days he could have hiked his ass back to Fresno. And he should have told someone where he was going before he went down the trailhead. So other than having several days worth of food (for some odd reason) - there were a lot of ways this could have been prevented. Having some way to call out would have been a good one.

LOL swamp lake trail isn't the hardest trail but an unmodified 2002 Dodge Dakota ain't gonna make it. (obviously)

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