Greetings! In this article, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the process of installing the Starlink Flat High Performance antenna on a vessel, as well as the nuances of connecting the system to the ship's Internet via VSAT.
.JPG "Starlink Flat High Performance. Installing the antenna on a vessel and connecting via VSAT")
If you follow the site, you know that many articles have already been published on the "home" starlink, which is used by sailors on ships (the list is available at the end of the publication) and now it's finally the turn of the "marine" starlink.
What is Starlink Flat High Performance?
The Starlink Flat High Performance is a specialized Starlink dish designed primarily for mobility applications, such as RVs, trucks, boats, and other vehicles. It differs from the standard Starlink dish in several key ways:
Key Features:
Flat and Aerodynamic Design:
- Unlike the standard round or rectangular Starlink dish, this model is low-profile, making it ideal for mounting on moving vehicles.
Enhanced Performance:
- Offers better satellite connectivity due to a larger antenna and wider field of view, ensuring more consistent coverage even in challenging environments.
- Works well in areas with more obstructions (e.g., trees, buildings).
Supports In-Motion Use:
- Unlike the standard dish, this version can remain operational while the vehicle is moving, making it perfect for users who require continuous connectivity.
Weather Resistance:
- Designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, heavy rain, and snow.
Better Heat Management:
- Improved thermal performance for better operation in hot climates.
Power Consumption:
- Requires more power than the standard Starlink dish (typically 110-150W compared to 50-75W for the standard version).
Ideal Use Cases:
- RVs and camper vans
- Trucks and semi-trailers
- Boats and yachts
- Remote workstations requiring mobility
Main differences:
- Starlink Flat High Performance – designed to work on the move and is better suited for cars, yachts, trucks and special equipment.
- Starlink REV4 – a regular version that does not work on the move, suitable for home, cottage and mobile use in static mode. In fact, REV4 works on the move, for this you need to activate a special function.
.JPG "What's in the box (starlink)")
.JPG "What's in the box (starlink)")
.JPG "What's in the box (starlink)")
.JPG "What's in the box (starlink)")
.JPG "Antenna size (relative to AA battery)")
.JPG "SpaceX Instructions")
.JPG "SpaceX Instructions")
Navarino is a Greek company specializing in maritime satellite communications. It offers solutions for shipping companies, including communications management, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure.Infinity is one of Navarino's flagship platforms used to manage ship satellite networks. It allows you to monitor internet traffic, manage crew and corporate networks, and optimize communications costs.
.JPG "Adapter for a pipe for installing an antenna")
By the way, instructions for installing a starlink on a vessel can be found in our closed telegram channel Marine Engineering Manuals.
.JPG "Antenna Dish model: UTA-222 IP56 Type 3S")
.JPG "Installing the Pipe Adapter")
.JPG "Installing the Pipe Adapter")
.JPG "The process of manufacturing and installing the antenna mount")
.JPG "The process of manufacturing and installing the antenna mount")
.JPG "The process of manufacturing and installing the antenna mount")
.JPG "The process of manufacturing and installing the antenna mount")
- 4 meters from magnetic compass;
- 2-3 meters from AIS;
- 2 meters from DGPS.
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a tracking system used in maritime navigation to improve safety and situational awareness. It allows ships, ports, and maritime authorities to automatically exchange real-time vessel information, including:
- Ship identity (MMSI, name, and call sign)
- Position (latitude & longitude via GPS)
- Course and speed
- Heading and destination
- Vessel type and size
How AIS Works
AIS operates using VHF radio frequencies to transmit and receive signals. Ships equipped with AIS transponders automatically send out their information at regular intervals. Other vessels and coastal stations receive these signals, helping to prevent collisions and improve navigation efficiency.
Types of AIS Systems
- Class A AIS – Required for large commercial ships; transmits data more frequently.
- Class B AIS – Used by smaller vessels (fishing boats, yachts); transmits less frequently.
- AIS Base Stations – Land-based receivers at ports and coastal stations for monitoring ship traffic.
- Satellite AIS (S-AIS) – Allows tracking of ships in remote ocean areas using satellites.
Benefits of AIS
- Enhances maritime safety by preventing collisions
- Improves vessel traffic management in busy waters
- Assists in search and rescue operations
- Helps in environmental protection by tracking ship routes
DGPS stands for Differential Global Positioning System. It is an enhancement of the standard GPS (Global Positioning System) that improves its accuracy, integrity, and reliability.How DGPS Works:
- Reference Station: A fixed ground-based station with a precisely known location continuously receives GPS signals.
- Error Calculation: The station compares the received GPS data with its known position and calculates any errors.
- Correction Transmission: The station then broadcasts these error corrections to nearby GPS receivers via radio signals or the internet.
- Improved Accuracy: The GPS receivers apply these corrections, significantly reducing positioning errors.
Benefits of DGPS:
- Higher Accuracy: Can improve GPS accuracy from about 5-10 meters to sub-meter or even centimeter-level precision.
- More Reliable Data: Reduces errors caused by atmospheric conditions, satellite drift, and signal delays.
- Used in Various Applications: Common in maritime navigation, land surveying, precision agriculture, construction, and autonomous vehicles.
.JPG "Starlink antenna location on the Monkey Deck")
FleetBroadband (FBB) is a satellite communication service provided by Inmarsat for maritime vessels. It enables ships to stay connected with high-speed internet, voice calls, and data services even in remote oceanic areas where traditional networks are unavailable.Key Features of FleetBroadband (FBB):
- Global Coverage – Works almost anywhere at sea using Inmarsat's satellite network.
- Reliable Connectivity – Provides broadband internet and voice communication.
- Multiple Data Plans – Available in different speeds and capacities (e.g., FBB 150, FBB 250, FBB 500).
- Supports Multiple Applications – Email, web browsing, video conferencing, weather updates, remote monitoring, and crew welfare services.
- Compact Terminals – Uses small, lightweight antennas that are easy to install on vessels.
FleetBroadband is widely used in commercial shipping, fishing, offshore operations, and yachting to ensure seamless communication and operational efficiency at sea.
Cable wiring
The cable had to be run from the antenna to the server room where the VSAT cabinet was installed.
.JPG "Server room (VSAT black box). Starlink power supply unit nearby")
The wiring procedure includes dismantling the overhead cables on the bridge and in the corridor, drilling the cable route transitions between the rooms and the actual cable pulling.
.JPG "Laying the cable")
.JPG "Sealing the vias with insulation putty")
.JPG "Installing the Starlink antenna")
.JPG "Installing the Starlink antenna")
It is interesting that the Starlink came with a special silicone, which I used to seal the place where the cable connects to the antenna.
Grounding
The article on the REV 3 antenna raised the issue of grounding the antenna, because it was struck by lightning and burned down. It is unclear how to implement this there, since there are no visible terminals for connecting the grounding cable. The only thing is to connect it to a socket with a properly connected ground. But in the REV 4 antenna, there is not even a ground on the router plug.
The PSU power supply of the High Performance marine Starlink comes with a special hole for the ground. Therefore, the ground here can only be connected to the power supply (there are no such terminals on the antenna).
.JPG "Starlink grounding")
.JPG "Starlink grounding")
It is possible to ground the antenna itself using a mounting structure (according to the diagram: bolted mount, adapter, pipe, supports - deck of the Monkey Deck).
Connecting to VSAT
What is VSAT?
VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) is a satellite communication system that uses small dish antennas to transmit and receive data. It is commonly used for remote internet access, corporate networks, military communications, and disaster recovery.
Key Features of VSAT:
- Small Dish Antennas: Typically between 0.75m to 2.4m in diameter.
- Two-Way Communication: Can both send and receive data via satellite.
- Wide Coverage: Works in remote areas where traditional internet infrastructure is unavailable.
- Applications: Used in banking (ATM connectivity), oil and gas, maritime, military, and rural internet services.
Connecting to VSAT is very simple - just connect the LAN cable from the PSU power supply to the VSAT modem (in our case, to the third port of ETH3). After that, we informed the IT department that everything was connected and they remotely set up Internet distribution for us through the third port to the ship's routers on the decks and computers.
.JPG "Internet login page (Infinity)")
.JPG "ETH3 - Starlink")
Thus, first the Internet from Starlink is used, and if there are problems with it, then there is an automatic switch to the Internet from VSAT (FBB).
.JPG "Connecting starlink to VSAT")
.JPG "Connecting starlink to VSAT")
.JPG "Connecting starlink to VSAT (on the right - power, on the left - LAN)")
.JPG "Connecting starlink to VSAT (on the right - power, on the left - LAN)")
.JPG "Connecting starlink to VSAT")
.JPG "Connecting starlink to VSAT")
By the way, the power was connected to the UPS power supply unit, which is used by the system. A special adapter had to be made.
.JPG "UPS Eaton")
.JPG "Routers in the corridors of the ship's superstructure")
What is the Internet speed?
The first test of the ship's Starlink speed was done in the Mediterranean Sea, it turned out to be 30 Mbit/s for downloading and 45 Mbit/s for uploading. For comparison, VSAT Internet gives about 1 Mbit/s. This speed is quite enough for high-quality communication with home via video communication.
It is interesting that the marine Starlink, like the home one, is not immune to problems in some countries, as well as possibly military bases that jam it. As soon as we arrived at the port of El Dekheila in Egypt, the Internet disappeared, switched to VSAT.
How much does Starlink cost?
The most frequently asked question to me on social networks TikTok, YouTube, Instagram is "How much does Starlink cost?". At the same time, it is not clear what the question is, how much does the antenna or the Internet cost, or both. Please note that in each article I accurately write the cost of Starlink kits, as well as tariffs taking into account the country of registration, date and exchange rate.
Starlink Flat High Performance, which was sent to us on the ship, costs $ 3,500. The cost of the 1 TB tariff is $ 1,000 per month, while Internet cards among crew members are sold for $ 10 (for 3 gigabytes), for $ 30 (for 10 gigabytes).
Comparison of Internet speed on the ship: VSAT, FBB, Starlink, Marlink
,%20Starlink,%20and%20Marlink.png "Comparison of Internet speed on the ship: VSAT, FBB, Starlink, Marlink")
Here is a comparison of internet speeds on board a ship for different communication technologies: VSAT, FBB, Starlink and Marlink.
1. VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal)
- Speed: Up to 100 Mbps (depending on the operator, equipment and Ku/Ka/C-band frequency range).
- Latency (ping): 600–800 ms (due to geostationary satellites).
- Pros: Stable connection, good coverage on the high seas, unlimited tariffs available.
- Cons: High cost of equipment and subscription, high latency for video calls and online games.
2. FBB (FleetBroadband, Inmarsat)
- Speed: Up to 432 Kbps (very slow internet).
- Latency: About 800 ms.
- Pros: Global coverage, reliability, relatively compact equipment.
- Cons: Very low speed, high traffic cost (per megabyte).
3. Starlink Maritime
- Speed: 50-250 Mbps (depending on coverage area).
- Latency: 20-50 ms (much lower than geostationary satellites).
- Pros: High speed, low latency, streaming capability, good performance for video calls.
- Cons: Limited coverage in some regions, sensitive to weather conditions, high cost of equipment and subscription.
4. Marlink (Hybrid solutions: VSAT + 4G/LTE + LEO/MEO satellites)
- Speed: Up to 150 Mbps (using MEO/LEO satellites).
- Latency: 150-800 ms (depending on the technology used – VSAT, MEO, LEO or 4G).
- Pros: Flexibility (automatic switching between networks), high speed when connecting to MEO/LEO satellites, saving traffic due to combination with 4G.
- Cons: High cost, complexity in setting up and managing the network.
Conclusion
- If you need high speed and low ping → Starlink or Marlink (MEO/LEO).
- If you need stability and unlimited tariffs → VSAT.
- If global communication is important without being tied to speed → FBB (Inmarsat) (for example, for emergency communications).
The choice depends on the navigation region, budget and crew tasks. As you can see, Starlink is in the lead, but still does not cover all regions, so integrated solutions will be used on ships for a long time.
That's all! I hope this article was useful for you. If you have any questions, please write in the comments to the article!
Articles on ship starlink:
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