The standard base that comes with every Starlink kit is not going to be a permanent solution for most people. If you plan to install the Starlink dish on your roof, it’s best to get a mount designed for that purpose. Ultimately, how you end up mounting your dish will depend on many factors, including obstructions, roof type/angle, and budget.
In this guide, I will walk you through various Starlink mounting options. I will cover various types of mounts, including official Starlink products. I will also recommend some aftermarket mounting accessories. By the end, you should have a good idea of what type of Starlink mount will work best for your application.
Table of Contents
Pick a good mounting location
The very first thing to consider is whether you have obstructions at your desired mounting location. Obstructions can be anything that block the view of the sky. In most cases, it will be trees that cause issues. Utility poles and other buildings could also obstruct Starlink’s view of the sky.
Best places to mount Starlink
The best place to mount a Starlink dish is at the peak of your roof. You want it mounted as high as possible so that the signal won’t be impacted by trees and other obstructions. You can attach mounts directly to the roof surface, to the facia/eave, on the ridge, or even to a chimney.
Sometimes, the peak of your roof isn’t the best location if you have tall trees nearby. You can also mount Starlink in a clearing using a pole mount, or on a tower if you have very tall trees. Depending on where the obstructions are on your property, mounting on a garage or outbuilding might be the best solution.
How to check for obstructions
The Starlink app allows you to view details about obstructions in two ways. First, you can use your phone camera to search for potential obstructions at your desired mounting location. Stand in the area where you want to mount Starlink, open the app, and use the obstruction finder to see if Starlink has a clear view of the sky. This will give you a general idea about obstructions in that location.
The second method, if feasible, is to temporarily set up your Starlink dish in the location you want to mount it, using the included mounting base. Power it up, and allow the Starlink app to collect data for at least 12 hours. After waiting, check the obstruction map in the app to see if the location is suitable for a permanent mount.
Once you’ve found a suitable location for your Starlink dish, that is free of obstructions according to the Starlink app, you can proceed to picking a mount for a permanent installation. I will cover various types of Starlink mounts in the following sections.
Note: This article may contain affiliate links for the products mentioned
Roof Mounts
The most common type of Starlink mount is the roof mount. With a roof mount, you attach Starlink directly to the roof surface, or on the fascia/eave. There are a variety of roof mounting accessories available on the market, including official Starlink products, and aftermarket options.
J-Mount – the versatile mounting option
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One of the best mounting solutions for Starlink is the J-Mount. They are widely available, affordable, and extremely versatile. In fact, you might already have an existing J-Mount from another satellite service, like Dish Network. You’ll want a J-Mount that has a pipe diameter of around 1.5 inches to use with Starlink, such as the Proxicast Pro-Grade J-Max that is pictured above.
Depending on which J-Mount you have, there are several adapters on the market that allow you to connect your Starlink dish very easily. If you go with the Proxicast J-Mount above, you can get the Proxicast Starlink Antenna Adapter to make it plug and play with the Starlink dish. Another option is to purchase the Starlink Pipe Adapter to use with any J-Mount. With the Pipe Adapter, you can adapt your Starlink dish to any J-Mount up to 2.5″ in diameter.
J-Mount is good for: Eave/fascia, roof, or exterior wall. Extremely flexible and affordable solution for a variety of installation locations.
Might not be suitable for: Areas with a lot of obstructions. The typical height of a J-Mount is 2-4 feet, so if you need more height beyond the top of your roof, a J-Mount might not be the best option.
Related: Guide To Using A J Mount With Starlink
Flashing Mount – professional looking Starlink roof mount
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For a professional and worry-free roof installation, consider a flashing mount. A flashing mount installs under the top layer of shingles, and secures to your roof structure for a very strong and leak-free solution. Flashing mount installations will require not only the flashing mount itself, but also an aftermarket J-Mount or Starlink Pivot Mount.
Starlink sells their own official Flashing Mount if you plan to pair it with another official Starlink mount, such as the Pivot Mount. If you want to use an aftermarket J-Mount, you can purchase a 3rd party flashing mount, such as the CommDeck Flashing Mount.
Flashing mount is good for: Direct to roof installations. High rain/snow locations where roof leaks might be a concern. It gives you a clean, professional look.
Might not be suitable for: Roofs that aren’t covered with shingles. The installation process is more complex, and more expensive than other roof mount options.
Non-Penetrating Roof Mount – a permanent installation without drilling
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For various reasons, some people will not want to drill holes in their roof to install Starlink. That’s where a non-penetrating roof mount comes in. Commonly known as a ridgeline mount, these mounts are held down with weights (sand bags, concrete blocks, etc) instead of being fastened to the roof directly.
For installations on a roof ridge, check out the Starlink Ridgeline Mount Kit, pictured above. This official Starlink mount comes with everything needed, including the weights. It can be adjusted to any angle, and even works on flat roofs. If you prefer an aftermarket solution, go with the EZ PNP Non-Penetrating Antenna Mast. This mount doesn’t come with any type of mast, so you’ll need a J-Mount or some other type of mount to attach to it.
Non-Penetrating Roof Mount is good for: Situations where you don’t want to fasten to the roof structure or drill holes. You can easily move this mount around on the roof if you need flexibility in the future.
Might not be suitable for: This mount definitely stands out on your roof, as it will be held down with concrete blocks or other heavy items. Depending on how much weight you use, wind might be an issue since it is not fastened down.
Wall Mounts
Mounting the Starlink dish to your exterior wall is another good option to consider. If you don’t have tall trees to clear, a wall mount can be a good choice. With wall mounts, you don’t have to worry about drilling holes in your roof, and cable routing is a bit easier.
Starlink sells two different wall mounts – the Long Wall Mount, and the Short Wall Mount. The Long Wall Mount is best for exterior wall mounting, or if you need additional clearance from the roof. The Short Wall Mount is best when you need to mount Starlink to the eave or fascia board.
You can also use the versatile J-Mount as a wall mount. Since J-Mounts are adjustable, they can be mounted to an exterior wall, eave, or fascia board. If you need more clearance from the roof than the official Starlink wall mounts provide, consider going with the Proxicast J-Max and pair it with the available extension pole.
Wall mount is good for: Installations where you don’t want to drill into the roof, and don’t have many obstructions nearby.
Might not be suitable for: If you have a large roof overhang, the official Starlink wall mounts might not work. Wall mounts aren’t ideal if you have tall trees or other obstructions.
Tower Mounts
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In some locations with tall trees, you might need a tower mount to clear obstructions. Towers are great because you can mount your Starlink dish higher than your roof, to clear the tallest trees. Tower mounts are definitely the most difficult to install, and the most expensive mounting option in this guide. But if you have lots of trees, and need fast internet, it might be the best solution for you.
There are several tower mounts available on the market. I recommend one of the Rohn towers, such as the Rohn 30' Basic Tower Kit, pictured above. They make several other versions with varying heights. The best way to attach your Starlink dish to a tower mount is using the Starlink Pipe Adapter.
Tower mount is good for: Getting above or away from obstructions. When you can’t mount to your roof or other tall structure.
Might not be suitable for: Adding a tower on your property is a big undertaking, and is more complex and expensive than other mounting options.
Pole Mounts
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If you don’t have a lot of trees or other obstructions around your house, you might be able to get away with mounting the Starlink dish on a pole or post in your yard. Pole mount’s are also a great option for mounting to RV’s, since they can be easily deployed and taken down.
Starlink sells an official Pole Mount accessory that is designed to be installed in the ground. Alternatively, you could purchase an aftermarket pole mount kit, like the Jangker Starlink Pole Mount. The Jangker kit can be used for ground installations, or can be attached to an RV.
Pole mount is good for: When you don’t want to mount to your roof or house, or need to get Starlink into an open area away from your home.
Might not be suitable for: Areas with lots of trees. Also, pole mounts require a bit more work that most other mounting options. The pole needs to be buried, and you’ll have to bury the Starlink cable in conduit or find another way to safely route it inside your home.
Chimney Mounts
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For installations where you might need more height than the roof peak offers, or for those without shingle roofs, a chimney mount might be a good solution. Chimney mount’s use your existing chimney to secure a pole for mounting the Starlink dish.
For the Chimney Mount Install Kit shown above, you will just need to supply a mast that is up to 2″ OD. It’s also a good idea to measure the diameter of your chimney to make sure the straps are long enough. To make installation a breeze, be sure to pick up the Starlink Pipe Adapter, which will adapt any existing pole/mast up to 2.5″ OD to the Starlink dish.
Chimney mount is good for: When you need some extra height. When you don’t have shingles, or if you have a roof structure or material that doesn’t allow traditional installations.
Might not be suitable for: Not all chimney types are compatible with chimney mount kits. The installation can be a bit more involved than other options.
Tripod Mounts
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If you want to install your Starlink dish on a flat roof, or perhaps temporarily at your RV camp site, consider using something like this Heavy-Duty Tripod Base. A Tripod mount is useful for both temporary and permanent installations. You can stake the tripod directly into the earth for a stable temporary mount. Or perhaps you have a flat roof that you can permanently secure it to.
Most tripod mounts include a mast that will accept the Starlink dish mast with a bit of modification (using pole clamps or drilling holes for bolts). You can also supply your own mast of any length you require. To make adapting the Starlink dish super easy, purchase the Starlink Pipe Adapter and use it with your tripod.
Tripod mount is good for: Temporary or permanent installations on flat surfaces.
Might not be suitable for: Takes up a bit of space. Unless you anchor the tripod mount, there is a risk of it tipping over in windy conditions.
RV Mounts
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If you are using Starlink with your RV, van, truck, etc., there are many ways to mount the dish. One popular option is the FlagPole Buddy Starlink RV Mounting Kit, that includes a pole, mounts, and Starlink adapter. The FlagPole Buddy system attaches to an existing ladder on your RV.
Maybe you have some other kind of existing pole or mast you want to use. In that case, all you would need is the Starlink Pipe Adapter, which can be used to mount the Starlink dish to any mast/pole up to 2.5″ in diameter.
Other Mounting Options
If you didn’t see anything in this guide that would fit your application, you might need to come up with some kind of unique or custom mounting option.
Standard Starlink Base – for temporary installations, flat roofs, and more
The base that comes with your Starlink kit can be used as a permanent mount if you have a suitable mounting location. For example, a flat roof that is free from obstructions. The base can also be used if you plan to keep your installation temporary and movable. The Starlink base has mounting holes if you need to permanently secure it to your roof or other surface.
Standard Starlink Base is good for: No cost, as it is included in your kit. Can be secured to a structure thanks to pre-drilled mounting holes on the legs.
Might not be suitable for: Pitched roofs. Areas with obstructions.
Custom Pipe/Pole Mounts
If none of the above options work for your situation, there are many different custom options available. With a Pipe Adapter or the right size piping, the Starlink dish can be attached to a variety of structures in a variety of ways. If you are a do-it-yourself type of person with extra materials laying around, it might be worth designing your own mounting solution using a variety of brackets and pipe that can be sourced from the hardware store.
See also: Reference guide to all the Starlink measurements/dimensions
