We got our hands on a Starlink kit and subscription in South Africa

LEO sat access requires a good view of the horizon, which is not that easy in built-up areas and established gardens that have tall trees and even large shrubs. And don't forget to factor in the crazy neighbours next door.
 
Geoff.D said:
LEO sat access requires a good view of the horizon, which is not that easy in built-up areas and established gardens that have tall trees and even large shrubs. And don't forget to factor in the crazy neighbours next door.
Click to expand...
Which typically isn't an issue where you need this.
 
Not sure if the fact that there are type approval gateways is for separate parts of the system or shows that they intended to roll out three ground stations in SA?
 
Starlink Dish has model name UTA-212. It is not on the Type Approval list, it would seem.
 
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The Starlink equipment comes in a single box.
It is one singular unit in kit form. The dish cannot work without the router and the router cannot work without the dish and in the kit form you are buying 1 item.

Selling only the router would be like selling a car without an engine? The Starlink kit comes as a sealed turn key package.

If they were selling and shipping the items separately as spare parts they may need individual licenses for each item but in this instance, it's one unit. Or am I wrong?

The STARLINK R211 Dish and Router is "assigned Model No.: UTR-211 FCC ID: 2AWHPR211, IC: 26207-UTR211"

"STARLINK R211 Dish and Router"

manuals.plus

STARLINK R211 Dish and Router User Guide

Learn how to set up and connect your STARLINK R211 Dish and Router with this user manual. Find step-by-step instructions, setup tips, and regulatory information for Model No.: UTR-211 FCC ID: 2AWHPR211 and IC: 26207-UTR211. Get online in minutes and browse the web hassle-free.
manuals.plus
 
Simon Botes said:
The Starlink equipment comes in a single box.
It is one singular unit in kit form. The dish cannot work without the router and the router cannot work without the dish and in the kit form you are buying 1 item.

Selling only the router would be like selling a car without an engine? The Starlink kit comes as a sealed turn key package.

If they were selling and shipping the items separately as spare parts they may need individual licenses for each item but in this instance, it's one unit. Or am I wrong?

The STARLINK R211 Dish and Router is "assigned Model No.: UTR-211 FCC ID: 2AWHPR211, IC: 26207-UTR211"

"STARLINK R211 Dish and Router"

manuals.plus

STARLINK R211 Dish and Router User Guide

Learn how to set up and connect your STARLINK R211 Dish and Router with this user manual. Find step-by-step instructions, setup tips, and regulatory information for Model No.: UTR-211 FCC ID: 2AWHPR211 and IC: 26207-UTR211. Get online in minutes and browse the web hassle-free.
manuals.plus
Click to expand...
Don't think so. The FCC seems to have type-approved the routers and dishes separately —
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/hr5ikn
www.teslarati.com

SpaceX ‘Starlink router’ approved by the FCC

A critical subcomponent of SpaceX’s Starlink ‘user terminal’ has received FCC approval, shedding additional light on the antennas and hardware customers around the world will use to access the orbital internet. Deemed SpaceX’s “Starlink Router” in FCC regulatory approvals published on July 14th...
www.teslarati.com www.teslarati.com
www.theverge.com

SpaceX’s Starlink reveals new smaller, rectangular user dish to connect to satellites

This time with more mounting options.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com
 
Hanno Labuschagne said:
We will definitely do that in the coming weeks. The primary purpose of this article was to give our early impressions.
Click to expand...
Test it in the Tankwa Karoo
Zero internet there for 200km
Perfect toy for the locals there
And the 11 000 people that attend Afrikaburn every year
 
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Hanno Labuschagne said:
Don't think so. The FCC seems to have type-approved the routers and dishes separately
Click to expand...
Yes that could be, however notice the sticker on the FCC test of UTR-211. The equipment is clearly labeled as "Starlink dish" even though the equipment being tested is a router. Isn't the dish just an antenna that comes part of the sealed kit.

External Photos External Photos

fcc.report fcc.report

Will go search and see if I can find a fcc test of only the antenna. If anyone finds an fcc test of only the actual dish looking item, please share here.
 

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Would be great if someone could confirm this to be the case. Already asked Icasa about the type approval months ago.
 
Hanno Labuschagne said:
Don't think so. The FCC seems to have type-approved the routers and dishes separately —
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/hr5ikn
www.teslarati.com

SpaceX ‘Starlink router’ approved by the FCC

A critical subcomponent of SpaceX’s Starlink ‘user terminal’ has received FCC approval, shedding additional light on the antennas and hardware customers around the world will use to access the orbital internet. Deemed SpaceX’s “Starlink Router” in FCC regulatory approvals published on July 14th...
www.teslarati.com www.teslarati.com
www.theverge.com

SpaceX’s Starlink reveals new smaller, rectangular user dish to connect to satellites

This time with more mounting options.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com
Click to expand...
They have to be type approved separately. Two different sets of criteria are applicable for the radio equipment plus the antenna and then the router. IFF the unit is one unit where the router and radio equipment is in one unit, then it would be type approved as one unit. As I said before, ICASA does not get involved unless someone presents a product for approval together with the correct paperwork. Simple to answer by anyone who has the equipment already.
 
Geoff.D said:
They have to be type approved separately. Two different sets of criteria are applicable for the radio equipment plus the antenna and then the router. IFF the unit is one unit where the router and radio equipment is in one unit, then it would be type approved as one unit. As I said before, ICASA does not get involved unless someone presents a product for approval together with the correct paperwork. Simple to answer by anyone who has the equipment already.
Click to expand...

Despite the ICASA type approval in South Africa, the grey imported kit sold locally by itlec remains illegal in South Africa because the units imported by itlec do not have an ICASA sticker on the box or equipment.

Since ICASA has already type approved the equipment for use in South Africa, the question is, when will Starlink officially launch their type approved kits directly in South Africa. Or at least start selling the equipment online with ICASA stickers.

Maybe in the interim, itlec as an importer can apply for the ICASA stickers for the kits they are importing and can apply them to the equipment prior to selling?

ICASA LABELLING REGULATIONS

"3. EQUIPMENT REQUIRING LABELLING

(1) All equipment that has been type approved and received a type approval certificate must have a legible label permanently affixed to such equipment.

(2) The packaging and/or container of the equipment referred to in sub-regulation

(1) shall bear a label.

(3) The label must be affixed to the equipment before the equipment is made available for sale or lease or is supplied in any other manner..."

"7. OFFENCES...

(2) No Supplier shall distribute, supply, offer for sale or lease any type approved equipment without displaying and/or affixing a Label in terms of Regulation 3 or 6."

"8. PENALTIES

(2) A Supplier that fails to comply with the provision of Regulations 7(2) is guilty of an
offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Rands (R100 000.00)."

 
Hanno Labuschagne said:
Would be great if someone could confirm this to be the case. Already asked Icasa about the type approval months ago.
Click to expand...
This list contains all the equipment approved by the FCC which operates very similar to ICASA when it comes to approvals and stickers. Only 2 routers appear on the FCC list and zero home antenna are on this list. It would seem that the Starlink router and antenna are sold as a single package unit, so if the router is type approved then all equipment in the box is type approved. All we need now is kits sold with ICASA type approval stickers.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. FCC Filings

fcc.report fcc.report
 
Only the router is approved: UTR-211
The dishy is not approved yet: UTA-212

IMG_20230723_101140.jpg
Simon Botes said:
The Starlink equipment comes in a single box.
It is one singular unit in kit form. The dish cannot work without the router and the router cannot work without the dish and in the kit form you are buying 1 item.

Selling only the router would be like selling a car without an engine? The Starlink kit comes as a sealed turn key package.

If they were selling and shipping the items separately as spare parts they may need individual licenses for each item but in this instance, it's one unit. Or am I wrong?

The STARLINK R211 Dish and Router is "assigned Model No.: UTR-211 FCC ID: 2AWHPR211, IC: 26207-UTR211"

"STARLINK R211 Dish and Router"

manuals.plus

STARLINK R211 Dish and Router User Guide

Learn how to set up and connect your STARLINK R211 Dish and Router with this user manual. Find step-by-step instructions, setup tips, and regulatory information for Model No.: UTR-211 FCC ID: 2AWHPR211 and IC: 26207-UTR211. Get online in minutes and browse the web hassle-free.
manuals.plus
Click to expand...
 

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