Did you know that Starlink dishes have an amazing 110-degree field of view? The direction your Starlink needs to face isn’t as simple as traditional satellite services.
Starlink’s technology sets it apart from conventional satellite dishes. It uses phased array antennas that steer the satellite signal electronically, rather than needing exact positioning. The general direction still matters though. Your dish points north in the Northern Hemisphere and south in the Southern Hemisphere. UK users should point their dishes north or northwest, with the best elevation angle between 35 and 50 degrees.
The expanding Starlink satellite constellation makes dish positioning easier now. Your dish just needs a clear view of the sky in the right direction to work well. Buildings and trees can affect your connection by a lot. The typical UK weather doesn’t cause much trouble – clouds and rain won’t mess with your signals. Let’s explore how to position your Starlink dish perfectly for where you live.
Understanding How Starlink Works
Starlink transforms satellite internet with an approach that sets it apart from traditional providers. Rather than using single geostationary satellites 35,786 km above Earth, Starlink puts thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) at about 550 km. The satellites’ proximity to Earth cuts latency dramatically – users experience around 25 milliseconds compared to 600+ milliseconds with conventional satellite internet.
Why Starlink is different from traditional satellite dishes
Traditional satellite dishes stay fixed in one position because they communicate with satellites that don’t move relative to Earth. These dishes use a curved reflector design where radio waves bounce off the large dish and a feed device collects them.
Starlink takes a different path by using advanced phased array technology. Each Starlink terminal contains an array of individual radio transmitters/receivers that can steer the signal electronically without moving the dish. This lets the system track satellites as they move overhead.
How satellite movement affects dish direction
Starlink satellites orbit close to Earth and move across the sky faster, taking about 10 minutes from horizon to horizon. A dish that couldn’t move would quickly lose its connection to these fast-moving satellites.
The phased array technology solves this by helping Starlink dishes maintain connections with moving satellites. The wide 110-degree field of view ensures continuous coverage as satellites pass overhead.
Does Starlink always face north?
Your location determines the direction of your Starlink dish. Users in the Northern Hemisphere typically point their dishes north, northwest, or northeast. The Southern Hemisphere works differently – users there point their dishes south.
These directional priorities stem in part from network load balancing and the need to avoid interference with other satellite systems. Starlink avoids pointing toward the equator where Clarke Belt satellites (in geostationary orbit) operate. Users see this as a blank line in their Starlink obstruction map.
Latitude affects the exact angle needed. UK users (between 50°N and 60°N) see satellites higher in the sky than those in southern Europe. This difference requires unique positioning for the best signal reception.
Finding the Right Location for Your Dish
Your Starlink’s performance depends on where you put your dish. The right spot makes a huge difference. It can mean steady internet instead of frequent disconnections.
Why elevation and open sky matter
Your Starlink dish needs a clear view of the sky to work well. Satellites constantly move overhead and need a wide 110-degree cone of visibility. A higher mounting position really improves your connection quality. It helps avoid signal blockages from nearby objects.
Mounting your dish on rooftops, poles, or walls gives the clearest signal path. Users often find that permanent mounts in higher spots provide reliable service. Note that your dish should see the sky from about 20° above the horizon with a complete 360° around the azimuth for best results.
How to avoid obstructions like trees and buildings
These common obstacles can block your Starlink signals:
- Tree branches and seasonal foliage hit hardest in spring
- Buildings and rooflines
- Poles and other structures
- Debris like leaves, soil, or snow on the dish
Check all possible mounting spots for obstacles before installation. A single branch can interrupt your connection. You can deal with existing obstacles by removing them completely or using mounting accessories to raise your dish higher.
What direction does Starlink need to face from my location?
Starlink works differently from traditional satellite services – it doesn’t need to point in just one direction. Your location determines where the dish should face. Dishes north of the equator typically point northward, while those in the southern hemisphere face south.
You’ll need the Starlink app to find the perfect direction for your setup. The app shows an arrow next to the dish on its obstruction map that indicates the right direction. This direction stays fixed based on your geographical coordinates – it won’t change as you move around your property.
Using the Starlink App to Align Your Dish
You need to use the Starlink app to confirm if your chosen spot is ideal. The app works on both iOS and Android and helps you arrange your dish perfectly while checking for any obstacles.
How to use the obstruction scanner
The obstruction scanner identifies objects that might block your signal before you install. Here’s how to make it work:
- Download and install the Starlink app on your smartphone
- Go to your proposed installation location
- Open the app and select “Check for Obstructions”
- Hold your phone at the same height where you plan to place the dish
- Follow the on-screen guidance to scan the sky
- The app uses augmented reality to show your dish’s field of view
The scanner displays green dots on areas you haven’t scanned yet and shows arrows that point where to aim next. It analyzes the data after completion to tell you if the location works well.
Interpreting the obstruction map and direction arrow
The scan creates a color-coded map that shows:
Blue areas represent clear views where satellites can connect easily. Red sections show obstacles that will block signals. Black regions mark areas outside your dish’s range.
The map displays an arrow next to the dish that shows which way your Starlink should face from your spot. Your geographical coordinates determine this direction, not the local obstacles.
Trying multiple locations for best results
Scanning several possible installation spots helps you make the best choice. You can start a new scan by tapping “Try new location” and doing it again. Look at all results to find the clearest view.
Note that Starlink builds a more detailed obstruction map over about a week. Your dish performs better as it learns to talk to satellites in clear parts of the sky.
The sort of thing I love is how moving just a few meters can significantly reduce obstacles. That’s why testing different spots helps you get the best performance possible.
Manual vs Motorized Dishes: What You Need to Know
Starlink’s development through different hardware generations has brought the most important changes to dish alignment for optimal performance. You need to understand these differences to position your equipment for the best connection.
How Gen 2 dishes auto-align
Standard Actuated (Gen 2) dishes come with advanced motorized positioning features that make the original setup remarkably easy. These dishes have built-in motors for motorized self-orientation. The dish moves by itself to maintain the best connectivity with Starlink satellites as they travel across the sky. This self-adjusting feature gives consistent connectivity without any need to touch it after installation.
The Gen 2 dishes can also realign themselves automatically when network requirements change. This automatic adjustment becomes especially valuable when you have changing conditions, which lets you simply “install and forget”.
Why Gen 3 dishes require manual setup
The newer Standard (Gen 3) dishes don’t have the built-in actuator motors that previous versions had. You need to position these non-actuated dishes manually during the original setup. The process stays surprisingly simple, even though some users worried about this design change.
In spite of that, Gen 3 dishes use the same electronic phased array antenna technology. This means they can track satellite signals electronically without physical movement. The dishes won’t need adjusting again once you line them up properly using the app.
Tips for aligning non-actuated dishes
Here’s how to align non-actuated Starlink dishes:
- The Starlink app’s alignment tool gives you easy-to-use graphics and interface
- Move the dish position until it matches what you see in the app
- Note that alignment should happen just once for permanent installations
- The app will show a “Starlink Misaligned” alert if alignment goes beyond 5° from Starlink’s target direction
- Starlink might change your dish’s target direction occasionally, so you’ll need to adjust it
Both dish types ended up providing the same reliable, high-speed internet experience, regardless of their different alignment methods.
Conclusion
The right position of your Starlink dish plays a crucial role in getting reliable, high-speed internet service. This piece explores how Starlink’s innovative phased array technology is fundamentally different from traditional satellite systems. Regular dishes need precise alignment with stationary satellites, but Starlink talks to constantly moving LEO satellites through a wide 110-degree field of view.
Your dish needs a clear view of the sky in the right direction – usually northward in the Northern Hemisphere and southward in the Southern Hemisphere. Trees, buildings, and other structures can substantially disrupt your connection. Most users find that higher mounting spots work best.
Setting up becomes much easier with the Starlink app’s user-friendly obstruction scanner and direction guidance that matches your location. The app gives you all the guidance you need for the best placement, whether you have a self-aligning Gen 2 dish or a manually positioned Gen 3 model.
Note that finding the sweet spot might mean trying several locations before you find the right one. The work takes some original effort, but getting a reliable connection makes it worth your time. On top of that, as Starlink adds more satellites, the positioning rules might get easier over time.
Success with Starlink comes from knowing the technology’s special needs and making smart choices about placement at your location. This piece shows you the way – make use of the Starlink app properly and you’ll soon have steady high-speed internet almost anywhere.
