dang it, looks like my topic went up without my pics and narrative. I'll try again later
WiFi at the deer blind
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Last: 2 mo ago by ttha_aggie_09
Maybe it would help if you Had WiFi in the deer blind
Ok. Here goes again:
I know many of you will think this is a bad idea, I should enjoy nature, etc. But I've been improving my Starlink mini portability thanks to a great thread by RockwallAg this summer.
So here is my setup. I mounted the Starlink mini inside of a Harbor Freight Apache 4800 case. I added an Anker Solix C200 battery pack. It works with the case shut and plugged into the battery pack.
So I was able to stream Elko's post LSU press conference while waiting for the Axis buck that never showed up Sunday morning.
I know this will interest many of you that don't want to miss any Aggie football moments during deer season. It's also great to have in case of emergency.
I know many of you will think this is a bad idea, I should enjoy nature, etc. But I've been improving my Starlink mini portability thanks to a great thread by RockwallAg this summer.
So here is my setup. I mounted the Starlink mini inside of a Harbor Freight Apache 4800 case. I added an Anker Solix C200 battery pack. It works with the case shut and plugged into the battery pack.
So I was able to stream Elko's post LSU press conference while waiting for the Axis buck that never showed up Sunday morning.
I know this will interest many of you that don't want to miss any Aggie football moments during deer season. It's also great to have in case of emergency.
How long can it run on the battery? And how's that solar work?
Emergency is definitely a good use for it. I'm lucky enough to have strong cell service in the deer stand. Not so much at camp but I can stream football games no problem.
I love getting out and soaking in nature too but that does get old after the 3rd or 4th sit.
I remember hunting with my grandpa as a kid and being bored to tears after staring at the plywood blind wall for 3 hours.
I love getting out and soaking in nature too but that does get old after the 3rd or 4th sit.
I remember hunting with my grandpa as a kid and being bored to tears after staring at the plywood blind wall for 3 hours.
I remember sitting in a tree as a kid reading the same peanuts comic book over and over again. Now we can watching college football and deer hunt.
What a time to be alive
What a time to be alive
I was using it for a little over 2 hours and it used 31% of the battery. So I would guess 6 to 7 hours.
The solar panel can be used to recharge the battery pack if it is needed for an extended time. I have not tested the solar panels out yet.
The solar panel can be used to recharge the battery pack if it is needed for an extended time. I have not tested the solar panels out yet.
Here are the rails that I used to mount it to the lid of the case. Got it on Etsy from 3DPrintShak
AstroAggie15 said:
I remember sitting in a tree as a kid reading the same peanuts comic book over and over again. Now we can watching college football and deer hunt.
What a time to be alive
Mine was a Calvin & Hobbs book I took in my backpack. And we had one "Bucks of Tecomonte" (or something like that) VHS in the camper that I must have watched 10,000 times in the evenings. Never knew why we didn't buy another tape.
I did the exact same thing, case, anker battery, and all, at my blind this weekend. I am never going back.
I also have a solar panel and more permanent setup for rifle blind I primarily hunt out of. It's insanely boujee
I also have a solar panel and more permanent setup for rifle blind I primarily hunt out of. It's insanely boujee
What's the range from the unit that you can still connect?
When I ran mine in my backyard because home internet was down, it was pretty dang good. I'd say 20 yards or so
I streamed the MSST game over 100 feet away from mine with it parked in a small clearing in East Texas. It's a typical WiFi connection that'll go about as far as any other. They do make mesh extenders for it.
I just tethered to my iPhone and watched the MSST game from a tent blind while bow hunting a few weeks ago. Tossed in ear buds and was good to go. Only had one bar of reception and it still worked fine. So good I felt guilty.
I need to setup internet at a deer lease. I will likely only be using it ~4 days/month. We will use it for tv and connect a couple of phones to it, but I dont expect to be watching tv all day of course. Is the the "roam" version the way to go or would you recommend the home service? Is 50GB enough data for a use like this or would I need unlimited?
Takes me back to when Iphones were becoming a thing and we had a lease outside of San Angelo with 1 blind that got cell service and everyone would fight over getting that blind just to be able to play on their phone.
Currently, I want to build one of those mega duck blinds with the kitchen, restroom and TV.
Currently, I want to build one of those mega duck blinds with the kitchen, restroom and TV.
tmaggie50 said:
I need to setup internet at a deer lease. I will likely only be using it ~4 days/month. We will use it for tv and connect a couple of phones to it, but I dont expect to be watching tv all day of course. Is the the "roam" version the way to go or would you recommend the home service? Is 50GB enough data for a use like this or would I need unlimited?
I got the unlimited, but I only activate it for deer season. I was told that "normal use" would use around 10GB per day. So 50MG may be all you need. I would start on that plan and just monitor your use. The Roam plan is likely not enough.
Edit to add: that last sentence didn't make sense. the unlimited and the 50GB are both Roam plans. I thought you meant standby.
50gigs a month is great as long as you dont run it 24/7. You can also pay for more data if you use more. It will still be less expensive than the unlimited plan given your usage. It is $1 per gig you go over. So even if you double your allotted usage you are still only at $100
To prevent overuse. I have it on a timer. It shuts off every night at midnight and turns back on at 6am.
To prevent overuse. I have it on a timer. It shuts off every night at midnight and turns back on at 6am.
tmaggie50 said:
I need to setup internet at a deer lease. I will likely only be using it ~4 days/month. We will use it for tv and connect a couple of phones to it, but I dont expect to be watching tv all day of course. Is the the "roam" version the way to go or would you recommend the home service? Is 50GB enough data for a use like this or would I need unlimited?
If you want to use it more than one location, you should get a Roam plan. If it is going to stay at a hunting cabin and never move, I would consider the home options
Yep we have the home one for the cabin and two of us have the minis for UTVs and blinds.
On another note, if you have a ranger, this setup looks really badass:
On another note, if you have a ranger, this setup looks really badass:
That's cool! Is the starlink only powered on only when the Polaris is running? This would be great to have wifi if you park close enough to the blind, but you obviously don't want to keep the engine running. I guess you could unplug from the Ranger and plug into a battery when you get to the blind.
Glad I have great coverage in my blind and at camp. I have the blind setup with solar so I can keep the phone charged, run my fan when it's hot, etc. At camp I cast the phone to the TV in the cabin so I can watch football beteween hunts.
It's bougie and lazy, and I don't care. It's comfortable and I'm all about enjoying the creature comforts instead of roughing it.
We still don't have a crapper though, that's next on the list - a true shower/bath house for camp so I can take a proper dump like a first worlder and grab a shower before hitting bed at night.
It's bougie and lazy, and I don't care. It's comfortable and I'm all about enjoying the creature comforts instead of roughing it.
We still don't have a crapper though, that's next on the list - a true shower/bath house for camp so I can take a proper dump like a first worlder and grab a shower before hitting bed at night.
I believe they ran it to the key on (yellow wire) or to the 12v socket which is also key on only. We just put the case on the roof and drive around most of the time but a more fixed place like this is really intriguing.
solar panel\
deep cycle battery
inverter
maintainer
wire
plug
smart tv
iphone with hotspot
done
deep cycle battery
inverter
maintainer
wire
plug
smart tv
iphone with hotspot
done
You people are soft.
Back in my day you had to have a really tall deer blind and put an antena on the outside of it to watch football...
Back in my day you had to have a really tall deer blind and put an antena on the outside of it to watch football...
This is all about safety… if something happens at the blind and I need help, this will ensure I can get it. Same with driving around and needing service all the time - can never be too safe.
/things I tell the wife
/things I tell the wife
Mr. Thunderclap McGirthy
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AG
Gentlemen, y'all are missing out on the obvious advantage to this.
Have those inconsiderate folks, who decide to get married during Aggie football season and hunting season, livestream their weddings.
That way you can tell your wife you will be there in spirit while out hunting and watching the Aggies.
Have those inconsiderate folks, who decide to get married during Aggie football season and hunting season, livestream their weddings.
That way you can tell your wife you will be there in spirit while out hunting and watching the Aggies.
In Hoc Signo Vinces
I don't use it for tv as much as I do a mobile office. I can do a full days work from a deer stand with Starlink.
So it gets signal from inside the box?
kyledr04 said:
So it gets signal from inside the box?
Yes! I had a hard time believing it would work, but it does.
Mr. Thunderclap McGirthy said:
Gentlemen, y'all are missing out on the obvious advantage to this.
Have those inconsiderate folks, who decide to get married during Aggie football season and hunting season, livestream their weddings.
That way you can tell your wife you will be there in spirit while out hunting and watching the Aggies.
Inconsiderate...downright RUDE!
I had a friend get married on Nov 15th once.....Peak of the central TX Rut.....total waste. Marriage didn't last 2 years.
Does it get hot running inside the closed case?
Yes it gets warm inside the case but it hasn't been an issue so far and have run it all day 7-8hrs + with no issues.
ttha_aggie_09 said:
Yes it gets warm inside the case but it hasn't been an issue so far and have run it all day 7-8hrs + with no issues.
I agree. I noticed the foam around the battery was warm, but not hot at all. I noticed no heat from the Starlink.
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