Starlink Mini Installed to Replace TV Antenna on 2019 R-29 CB?

mlanger

mlanger

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2022
Messages
280
Location
Malaga, WA
Website
www.mygreatloopadventure.com
Fluid Motion Model
R-29 CB
Vessel Name
Do It Now
I'm prepping for a cruise to Alaska next year and had to get a Starlink. I just ordered a Mini from West Marine; they're having a sale for $299 through Memorial Day, which is a pretty good deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had put a Mini up where the (mostly useless) TV antenna is on the mast. If so, I'm wondering how wiring was handled.

Also interested in any other Mini installation that makes it possible to remove the Mini when not needed on the boat. (For example, RVing during the winter.)

What can you tell me?
 
We keep our Starlink mini on the port side of the CB helm, plugged into the 12v outlet. It’s held on by a suction mount.
IMG_0592.jpeg
 
I like the simplicity of that. Thanks! Not sure if I could make it work for my boat, which is in a charter program.

Is the suction mount a RAM mount?
 
Thanks! I will check it out when the kit arrives. I won't be back on the boat until 6/10.

I just replaced that DC port on the command bridge with a dual USB A setup. Maybe my mechanic can add it back. I need to check the specs on how many amps/watts it needs.
 
mlanger said:
I'm prepping for a cruise to Alaska next year and had to get a Starlink. I just ordered a Mini from West Marine; they're having a sale for $299 through Memorial Day, which is a pretty good deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had put a Mini up where the (mostly useless) TV antenna is on the mast. If so, I'm wondering how wiring was handled.

Also interested in any other Mini installation that makes it possible to remove the Mini when not needed on the boat. (For example, RVing during the winter.)

What can you tell me?
Click to expand...
I'm also installing a Starlink on my RT-31S so I'm currently working out the same issues. I purchased mine at West Marine too during the Memorial Day sale, but I went with the Performance Panel which is much larger. Initially I was thinking Mast also (replace the TV Dome) but the better option for me is to mount it on the overhead next to the air horns - port size keeps it away from the VHF antenna. I am spending the time to permanently mount the unit and run the cables in the overhead vice running cables out windows etc. I have the two forward interior cabin ceiling panels down right now. I have logged a twelve-step process on how I achieved that feat of disassembly. I used lots of Ziploc baggies and a sharpie to keep the screws organized and numbered the bags so assembly should not be too overwhelming. Per the Mast, there are three Garmin cables (NMEA 2000) and the DTV antenna cable that pass through my cabin roof into the interior of the boat. At least for my Starlink install, there is a unique Starlink cable that needs to go from the antenna topside to the power supply that will be mounted down below. That needs to go through the same watertight cable access for the mast electronics (radar, GPS ant). Replacing the DTV cable required opening up that watertight cable access - which also required the removal of a lot of caulking that was applied at the factory. Cutting away the caulk with a box cutter I was careful not to harm any of the cables (except the DTV cable). All these cables pass through a large rubber stopper that has holes drill through it for the cables. I'm actually going to add another NMEA2000 cable to add a Garmin Camera on the Mast - so I will go from four cables to five cables going through that access. I'll just purchase a new rubber stopper and drill five holes. Each hole has a slit leading to it from the outside diameter of the stopper so you can install the cables - a bandsaw will be perfect to cut those slits.

Good luck with your install. I am interested in knowing what Router is best to purchase for a Starlink install.
 

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mlanger said:
I'm prepping for a cruise to Alaska next year and had to get a Starlink. I just ordered a Mini from West Marine; they're having a sale for $299 through Memorial Day, which is a pretty good deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had put a Mini up where the (mostly useless) TV antenna is on the mast. If so, I'm wondering how wiring was handled.

Also interested in any other Mini installation that makes it possible to remove the Mini when not needed on the boat. (For example, RVing during the winter.)

What can you tell me?
Click to expand...

I converted a R29-CB to Starlink + Celluar, and ran all off 12volt power (no inverter needed). But didn't go with the Mini. The Gen2 or Gen3 are better dishes in my opinion. Easier to mount, easier to power, than the mini.

I took the TV antenna off and mounted a dome with the 12 volt router installed, and ran a cable from the mast back through the boat into the command bridge and mounted the Starlink dish up in the command bridge. There's power easily available in the command bridge for the 12 volt router and the 12 volt Starlink conversion kit. Pretty sweet set up. Cable runs were easy too. Took me a day to the do the install.

Starlink install on an R29-CB.
IMG_7552.jpeg

Starlink Mini
 
please note that the supplied cable will not work with 12v. the voltage losses are too great. your best bet is to install a 12-36v step up converter, they are cheap on Amazon.

as far as location goes. I've seen people mount them inside below a hatch. I personally have not mounted it yet and choose to just have it sit on the bow when in use - Im too much of a power sipper to let it run 24/7. I like the idea of the mast but in my case I have an aging KVH satellite system up there that would need to be removed.
 
The Gen2 (original RV dish, with the actuator) consumes 28 watts when converted to run off 12volt. The Peplink router needed, pulls another 6 watts at 12 volts. Starlink costs me 34 watts when powered up.
 
My mini is mounted on the faux smokestack on my R31. Unless you look you hardly notice it is there. You can purchase a 16ft. USB-c cable from Starlink. The USB-c cable runs behind the wood panel in the ceiling behind the helm. It drops down the port side and comes out under the dinette right next to a 12v outlet. I use a 3rd party cigarette adapter to plug in. Or I can plug in to a usb battery bank if I want to stay off boat power.

Mine connects easily and stays connected even when the boat is moving even though we are on the very edge of the satellite array in southcentral Alaska.

The mini is such a simple solution that is already setup for 12v power and doesn’t require an external router. It simply works and you don’t need an electrical engineering degree to mount it on your boat.


1748686107091.jpeg

1748686415764.jpeg
 
Hi Tim, where do you take the cable from the dish to behind the wood panel in the ceiling behind the helm, drilling a hole under the fake chimney stack? Do you have to take panels off to snake it down?
 
IMG_1697.jpegStarlink Mini. R27. Mounted on inverted rod holder.
 
Thanks for all the responses here.

I chose the mini because of its smaller size, portability, and lower power draw. I plan on removing it from the boat and taking it with me when I go south for the winter in my camper.

I never thought about mounting it under a hatch and will explore that option. I have considered the fishing rod holder solution that I've seen some other people use. Putting a stout rod holder on a command bridge rail and then running the cord down through the helm window would be a DIY option that would certainly keep it portable.

The other option is to have my mechanic add a mount to the boat and just remove the panel when I need to. I'm just not sure, at this point, whether I want to pay for an expensive professional installation.
 
The rod holder and cable through the window solution here for the Gen 2 dishy. It works and was easy/cheap since I had the rod holder already. I don’t leave it out there while underway.

IMG_5850.jpeg
 
IMG_0070.jpeg
 
as you can see, mine is mounted on the cabin roof top, it snaps on and off. The mast doesn’t seem to affect reception at all. The roof of my slip on the other hand is a great RF shield
 
mlanger said:
I'm prepping for a cruise to Alaska next year and had to get a Starlink. I just ordered a Mini from West Marine; they're having a sale for $299 through Memorial Day, which is a pretty good deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had put a Mini up where the (mostly useless) TV antenna is on the mast. If so, I'm wondering how wiring was handled.

Also interested in any other Mini installation that makes it possible to remove the Mini when not needed on the boat. (For example, RVing during the winter.)

What can you tell me?
Click to expand...
 
mlanger said:
I'm prepping for a cruise to Alaska next year and had to get a Starlink. I just ordered a Mini from West Marine; they're having a sale for $299 through Memorial Day, which is a pretty good deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had put a Mini up where the (mostly useless) TV antenna is on the mast. If so, I'm wondering how wiring was handled.

Also interested in any other Mini installation that makes it possible to remove the Mini when not needed on the boat. (For example, RVing during the winter.)

What can you tell me?
Click to expand...
 
mlanger said:
I'm prepping for a cruise to Alaska next year and had to get a Starlink. I just ordered a Mini from West Marine; they're having a sale for $299 through Memorial Day, which is a pretty good deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had put a Mini up where the (mostly useless) TV antenna is on the mast. If so, I'm wondering how wiring was handled.

Also interested in any other Mini installation that makes it possible to remove the Mini when not needed on the boat. (For example, RVing during the winter.)

What can you tell me?
Click to expand...
 
mlanger said:
I'm prepping for a cruise to Alaska next year and had to get a Starlink. I just ordered a Mini from West Marine; they're having a sale for $299 through Memorial Day, which is a pretty good deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had put a Mini up where the (mostly useless) TV antenna is on the mast. If so, I'm wondering how wiring was handled.

Also interested in any other Mini installation that makes it possible to remove the Mini when not needed on the boat. (For example, RVing during the winter.)

What can you tell me?
Click to expand...
 

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