All,
I first met Greg Braudaway (W5GEB) at the Texarkana mini-fest with Cliff Leath (KI5OPP) a couple of weeks ago. I had interacted with Greg on our Monday nets, but that was it. Following multiple extended chats at the mini-fest I was happy to see him apply to the Club online. Kathy and I have his membership application printed out and ready to take to the meeting on the 20th.
Greg saw my Starlink post and texted to tell me the v5 Starlink is set to drop very soon. If you are contemplating buying a Starlink I want you able to make an informed decision. Either wait for that new one or buy the v4 before they are no longer available.
Greg included a link to a YouTube video – NEXT GEN STARLINK REVEALED! – (link here) that you may view if you wish. I plugged some info into Grok AI and got the following:
Starlink V5 Dish Analysis (based on first public look from SpaceX/Elon Musk interview footage, as discussed in the DISHYtech video)
Overview
Starlink V5 represents the next-generation terminal lineup, following roughly 2.5 years after the V4 series. It includes what appear to be a V5 Standard and V5 Mini variants. Details are limited (no official specs, pricing, availability, or full technical release yet), but visual inspection and firmware insights (e.g., from Oleg Kutkov) provide key clues. This seems positioned as a manufacturing/optimization revision for higher-volume, lower-cost production to support Starlink’s scaling goals (tens to hundreds of millions of kits).
Key Visual and Reported Features of V5 Dishes
– Size: The V5 Standard appears noticeably smaller than the current V4 Standard — roughly in the ballpark of being a bit larger than the current V4 Mini (firmware extraction indicated dimensions slightly taller/wider than the existing Mini). This narrows the gap between Standard and Mini form factors, improving versatility for various installations (rooftop, portable, mobile, etc.).
– Enclosure/Color: All-white cover/enclosure (similar to the current V4 Mini, eliminating the gray border seen on V4 Standard kits).
– Mount/Kickstand: Updated design, possibly using a metal (aluminum-like) kickstand or similar to the Router Mini’s wall-mount material for improved durability or simplicity.
– Other Observations: A Router Mini (or potential new variant) is visible in the background. Power supply details (e.g., continued use of PoE brick from V4 Standard) remain unclear. No major external port or radical redesign visible in the limited footage.
Speculation on Performance and Features
– Likely focuses on cost reduction, easier mass production, and broader deployment rather than a massive hardware leap.
– 1 Gig Speeds: Not expected in this revision; more of an incremental update than a full generational leap for higher throughput.
– Wishlist items from analysis (for V5 Mini especially): PoE power input for greater flexibility (single cable power+data, easier router placement). For Standard: Retain/expand the V4-style PoE brick approach across kits.
Note: This is early visual/firmware-based analysis only. Official FCC filings, full specs, and real-world testing will provide more clarity. V5 could launch soon given the public showcase.
Changes from V1–V4
Here’s a concise evolution summary (focusing on the dishes/terminals):
– V1 & V2: Circular/round dishes. Early generations with actuated pointing (motors for alignment).
– V3: Standard actuated rectangular design (motorized for auto-alignment).
– V4 (current):
– Standard: Larger rectangular form with gray border; includes advanced PoE power brick in newer kits.
– Mini: Much smaller (~half the size of V4 Standard), all-white enclosure, DC input (no native PoE on dish), more portable.
– Overall: Improved performance, reliability, and features like better weather resistance and integration.
– V5 (new):
– Smaller Standard: Major size reduction vs. V4 Standard (closer in scale to V4 Mini but slightly larger).
– All-white design: Unified aesthetic across Standard and Mini (no gray borders).
– Updated mounting: Metal kickstand elements for potentially simpler/durable setup.
– Lineup: Retains Standard + Mini variants with possible router optimizations.
– Focus: Cost/efficiency for scale, rather than drastic size/performance jumps seen in prior generational shifts (e.g., round → rectangular, actuated → fixed with better electronics).
The V5 appears to be a refinement for manufacturability and usability while bridging the Standard/Mini gap, aligning with Starlink’s push for massive deployment.
Greg, thanks for the heads up. Hopefully everyone will find these details informative.
Enjoy,
Phillip Beall (W5EBC)