About Starlink Mast: According to the Starlink installation guide, the dish requires a clear sky view to ensure uninterrupted satellite communications in space.
For this reason, you must install it in an open and elevated place to minimize obstructions to its field of view.
While the app can scan for obstructions, the provided stand may not offer the required elevation, hence the mast requirement.
Let’s discuss the Starlink mast types and a step-by-step installation guide for achieving the needed elevation.
Types of Starlink Masts
Before we dive into the Starlink mast types discussion, note that they appear in different sizes and shapes.
You can purchase them from the Starlink Shop or a third-party vendor. Remember, the type of mast that suits your installation depends on your mounting surface and the elevation you require.
With that said, let’s see some of the types of Starlink masts available.
Starlink Heavy Telescopic Aluminum Mast
If you want a mast to install your Starlink RV on your rig, you can not go wrong with the telescopic mast.
It features a meticulous design to blend with your caravan and a robust aluminum construction for enhanced strength.
Therefore, you are assured of not only durability but also a firm dish mount, which ensures a steady internet.
In addition, it comes with heavy-duty polypropylene screw claps for added stability even in windy conditions.
Thanks to its tripod mount and magnetic mounting brackets, it is also easy to install.
What I like about this mount is its affordability and compactness, allowing for convenient storage.
Satellite dish on RV
Starlink Light Telescopic Aluminum Mast
Like the product above, this mast is an amazing Starlink accessory to install your dish on your RV.
The only difference is that this one is light-duty aluminum construction while the one above is heavy-duty.
All in all, the mast is durable and also comes with a tripod mount and magnetic brackets for a hassle-free installation.
It is also reliable and robust enough, thanks to its heavy-duty screw clamps and thick walls.
You can easily remove its adapter and fold it at 1.8M for convenient storage.
The only downside is that the mast is unsuitable for windy areas since it can wabble or break.
Starlink Aluminum Tow Ball
For those looking for a temporary or semi-permanent mount, especially in remote areas, I recommend the aluminum tow ball.
Its construction features a fully welded 3mm thick lightweight aluminum, ensuring durability and strength.
Moreover, it has a 50mm x 50mm tongue that sits perfectly and securely in your vehicle’s tow bas telescopic mount.
I also love that its height adjusts from 2m to 3.8m, thus giving you installation flexibility.
Like the rest of the masts in this list, it also allows your dish’s self-orientation to search for communication satellites.
Starlink dish on the ground
Starlink Dish Adapter for the Marine Industry
The third type of mast in this list is the marine industry dish adapter, which is ideal for mounting your antennae on your boat.
They are constructed using stainless steel to ensure durability in harsh ocean environments.
Additionally, these masts are strong enough to accommodate the robust marine dish type even in stormy conditions.
What is impressive about them is that you can choose between deck and rail mount depending on where you want to install your dish.
It also comes with enough screw fittings for seamless installation on any marine metallic base.
Additionally, any rail and deck adaptor can fit the marine antenna perfectly, thanks to the universal 1 x 14T socket.
Starlink Draw Bar Mount With Telescopic
The Draw Bar mount should be your ideal choice to ensure reliable satellite dish mounting and seamless connectivity on a caravan.
It has a telescopic aluminum mast that you can adjust from 2.1M to 3.8M for versatility.
Also, the aluminum construction ensures corrosion resistivity while providing the needed strength and stability for the dish.
Moreover, the mount can fit up to 40 mm thick mast, which adds more flexibility. Interestingly, it also includes M12 grub screws to secure your dish for safety and seamless signal reception.
Last, the accessory stows easily thanks to its 90-degree swivel, and it can adjust to 1.8 for convenient storage.
Starlink Tripod
The tripod mount is suitable for installation on uneven surfaces. It offers longevity and 4.2M elevation, ideal for satellite signal reception.
The mount features tubular legs which have pegging holes to enhance stability.
Also, the mast is made of 6mm aluminum, which is adjustable for durability and flexibility.
The leg spacing is an amazing 1850mm for more stability in various mounting setups.
Additionally, you can demount the mast and fold the legs for easy storage and transportation.
On the downside, its stopper pins are sold separately, yet they are vital for enhanced safety.
Tripod Stand concept
How to Mount Starlink On a Mast
Since each mast has its installation method, use this method as a general guideline.
I also recommend reading the installation manual to have a clear installation process.
Assembling kits, tools, and materials required
First, buy the Starlink mount adapter to ensure your dish can fit in any mast. Then, it would be best if you assembled it according to its installation menu.
It may involve unfastening its screws and then installing it on the Starlink dish mast.
Another item you require is your preferred Starlink mast. Like in the mount adapter, you must assemble it according to its instructions.
Its assembly process may include installing the clamps on the mast tubes and joining them.
Finally, you will need the guying kit to ensure the guy rings are well placed between the mast sections.
While installing the guy ring on the Starlink kit adapter, ensure it is below enough. Doing so ensures the guying will not obstruct the dish movement once it’s erected.
Satellite dish installation
Sleeving the Starlink Cable
In this section, you will pass the ethernet cable through the mast to the dish. First, pass the ether cable end with the dish connector through the bottom hole of the grounding assembly.
Proceed to sleeve the cable through the mast from the button to the top. While doing so, be careful not to break the connectors or damage the cable.
Continue sliding the cable carefully through the Starlink adapter until some allowance is available. Plug the cable connector into its position on the dish.
Additionally, ensure you secure it with a very stick adhesive tape to ensure it does not come out when erecting the mast.
Now, slide the Starlink adapter into its position on the dish and clamp it according to the manual.
Finally, carefully install the dish via the adapter on the top mast, ensuring you do not damage or break it.
Placing Guy Lines
When you are done assembling the dish and the mast setup, it is time to measure your guy lengths.
While doing so, leave some allowance for tying depending on the profile of the installation surface.
Now, cut the guying strings accordingly and tie them firmly on their respective rings.
Guying concept
Erecting the mast
In this section, you will raise the mast with the dish on top, but you will need help from friends. Each friend will hold their guying line and place the tension at its respective stake to make the process easier.
One of you must also open the mast clamp locking level while the others hold the guy line in different directions. Once the mast is erect, instruct each person to hook the guy lines on their guy stake.
Ensure you are at the mast center to instruct each person to tighten or loosen the line tensioner until your dish is vertical.
Conclusion
Now you know various types of Starlink masts and how to install them properly. Ensure you buy the right mast according to your installation surface profile. For example, a J-mast would be ideal if you want to install your dish on a fascia board.