Startlink installers in the DR

Your location is a must if you want an answer

Exactly what I was about to say!  Where???

La Vega

Not my area.... sorry, can't help

Me either sorry honey

A couple of things:

1) Sorry, can't help with installers in La Vega

2) You will very likely NOT get whole-house coverage from the Starlink router! With concrete walls, the Wi-Fi signals just don't travel that far. We have a Google Nest Wi-Fi mesh system (one router, 4 access points) to distribute the signal throughout our house.

3) If you need a wired connection for any device or secondary router, you must buy a Starlink ethernet adapter. We ordered ours from Amazon - cheaper and faster shipping than the one at Starlink. Without that, you can add Wi-Fi extenders, but there is no way to connect a cable to the Starlink router.

4) If you can handle the technology side of setting up your network, you just need a good reliable handyman to drill your holes and cover the wire with conduit. With ours, I handled the technology side, and my hubby (RockyM) took care of the rest. I did the same with a good friend of ours - I did the network setup (including climbing on the roof), and his handyman drilled the holes for the cable. I'm a former IT person with a lot of experience with home networks, but I still think the installation is pretty damn easy!

5) Make sure you can install the Starlink app on a phone or tablet. I've had no issues with iPhones and iPads, but my friend has a Chinese phone that runs Android, and the app wasn't compatible. Fortunately, he had an iPad that we were able to use for installation.

I have an extender in m y house.... wireless.... using StarLink

@WillieWeb We have a mix to get all of our coverage! We have a couple of Wi-Fi extenders that just pick up the signal directly from the Starlink router, but we have an outdoor extender that is Power-over-Ethernet, and the Google Mesh system must have a wired connection.

I've already planned to buy three Starlink Ethernet adapters and two WIFI extenders. That part was easy.

The harder part is finding someone with a tall enough ladder and a drill capable of drilling through the concrete block wall.

Would it be unacceptably bad form to ask the tech guy from the IP I'm replacing if he'd like the concrete drilling and cable attaching part of the job?

@crabelramble Why would you buy 3 Starlink Ethernet adapters? You can only plug 1 into the Starlink router, and then you attach an ethernet switch/splitter, and go from there to your extenders (poor choice) or mesh routers (much better choice).

By all means, ask the tech if he's interested in making a few extra pesos to drill some holes.

@crabelramble Why would you buy 3 Starlink Ethernet adapters? You can only plug 1 into the Starlink router, and then you attach an ethernet switch/splitter, and go from there to your extenders (poor choice) or mesh routers (much better choice).
By all means, ask the tech if he's interested in making a few extra pesos to drill some holes.
-@UncleBuck

I agree! Why would you need 3 adapters? You can only use 1 per Starlink router, and if you are just using wifi extenders, you don't even need one. I have one router connected to my adapter, and then use that to split the signal to 4 other devices, including my Google Nest Mesh.

I have asked techs from various companies to do side jobs both at my apartment and in various businesses!  No one has ever said no!

@crabelramble Why would you buy 3 Starlink Ethernet adapters? You can only plug 1 into the Starlink router, and then you attach an ethernet switch/splitter, and go from there to your extenders (poor choice) or mesh routers (much better choice).
By all means, ask the tech if he's interested in making a few extra pesos to drill some holes.
-@UncleBuck

I agree! Why would you need 3 adapters? You can only use 1 per Starlink router, and if you are just using wifi extenders, you don't even need one. I have one router connected to my adapter, and then use that to split the signal to 4 other devices, including my Google Nest Mesh.
-@ddmcghee

I guess you guys skipped your reading assignment last night!

That said, I'll concede that there may be less costly or better Mesh Routers. But, that ignores the point that I want a simple plug-and-play installation. Starlink Mesh Nodes provide that.

This is copied and pasted from Startlink's Installation Guide for their Mesh Router:

"Find a Location for Mesh Nodes

To provide reliable WiFi coverage to every corner of your home, the connection between each Starlink Mesh Wifi Router, or mesh node, needs to be strong. Make sure your primary Starlink router (from your Starlink Kit) and mesh nodes are evenly spread out, but not too far from each other.

Mesh nodes work best when they’re no more than one to two rooms apart from each other.

For example, if a room in your house that is 3+ rooms away has a weak connection and you place it in that room, the mesh node will not be able to connect well to the primary router. Instead, place it in a closer location (about halfway) to the primary router.

The bigger your house, the more mesh nodes you will need to cover the whole area.

Place your router upright and in an open area and avoid placing it near other objects that will physically block your signal.

Try to place them in an elevated position like on a shelf rather than ground level. "

https://api.starlink.com/public-files/S … _Guide.pdf

@crabelramble we aren’t saying you don’t need, or shouldn’t buy, the Starlink Mesh! It’s the Ethernet adapters that we’re talking about! They only attach to the Starlink cable coming from the dish itself, so only one per dish. Unless you have 3 dishes, you don’t need 3 Ethernet adapters.

I reread my last post and realized I'd completely misread your posts! Sorry, my brain saw Starlink Ethernet Adapters and translated that into Starline WiFI Mesh Routers.

¡Lo siento mucho!

My reason for considering buying them is that they will give me an ethernet port on each mesh router.

@crabelramble Gotcha! If the mesh routers have the same proprietary plug, that works! 

I bought a Tp-Link AX3000 Deco x55 3 unit mesh system for $185. 3 Ethernet ports on each unit, 6Ghz WiFi, and any unit can be the primary unit. Almost no installation, other than downloading the app and following instructions. Far cheaper than Starlink's units, and our speeds have doubled. You just have to disable the Starlink routers' WiFi, which is easily done, and then you have a single, very fast WiFi network that heals itself and balances itself. No slow repeaters or extenders, no different WiFi networks for different areas of your home, and you can run a cable to each node for fast and reliable connections through thick walls or floors. Plus, they're much smaller than Starlink's nodes and much much faster. Just my opinion, I'm no expert at all.

@UncleBuck Thanks! Others have given that router good reviews.

I was reluctant to try something other than Starlink equipment because I have a Wyze mesh router that's a brick. Its system can't complete setting up because of the terrible internet service I now have.

I'm starting to see that I was not thinking clearly. If I get Starlink, whatever mesh equipment I buy will have a great internet connection to work with.

I bought a Tp-Link AX3000 Deco x55 3 unit mesh system for $185.
-@UncleBuck

That's a great price! Is that deal still alive?

The price fluctuates, it can be found on Amazon as well, but I liked this place because they take PayPal. Currently $230, but it may go back down.

https://www.newegg.com/tp-link-deco-x55 … 6833704626

Currently $180 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Deco-AX3 … amp;sr=8-4

$180 renewed/refurbished on Amazon, I should clarify. Still $230 in the box/new.

Update!

The short story is that I found a La Vega plumber/electrician who is a guy who will be able to do the Starlink installation if I end up going that route.

The long story is that during the process of having our 20+-year-old mosaic de piedra floor tile floor renewed, we lost power in the house. The big floor polishers toasted the old aluminum wire from the power meter to the house. This guy came equipped with the tools and knowledge to put a big ladder up the pole, drop the wire to the street and replace the aluminum with copper.

BTW, the details of working with the people who did the floor work be a good primer course for people who want to understand the potential trials and tribulations of dealing with Dominican tradesmen.

I'll write something up if there is interest.

I'll add the contact info for the plumber/electrician if anyone has a need for one.

We would be interested but start a new thread or it gets lost in this one honey!

I am interested in learning more:

"BTW, the details of working with the people who did the floor work be a good primer course for people who want to understand the potential trials and tribulations of dealing with Dominican tradesmen."

I have just ordered tile and will be having the floors put in.  Any wisdom you can share is welcomed!

Thank you!

I am interested in learning more:
"BTW, the details of working with the people who did the floor work be a good primer course for people who want to understand the potential trials and tribulations of dealing with Dominican tradesmen."

I have just ordered tile and will be having the floors put in. Any wisdom you can share is welcomed!

Thank you!
-@DRCulture

Most workers here are not trained properly. So, ensure the guy actually doing the work is experienced. And ensure the work is not sub-contracted out to someone who doesn't know what they are doing.

Be mindful of the grade of the tile. They may grade tile towards the structure (if exterior), or not toward drains, etc. We had a lot of tile installed, then tore up because they did it incorrectly. Some of our tile was laid three times. No joke.

I am having this thread closed. you all want to talk construction then open a thread for that. Again this is way off topic.