How to protect Starlink from hail damage
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I received a question about what I recommend to protect Starlink from hail damage. I live in a place that gets severe thunderstorms pretty frequently, but I never really thought about being proactive about it. Although I’ve been lucky so far, the question sent me down the rabbit hole of finding the best way to guard Starlink from hail.
As it turns out, Starlink antennas are pretty vulnerable to dents, chips, scratches, and tears. In my research, I found a lot of social media posts about Starlink being destroyed by hail. Golf ball-size hail and larger can easily dent or crack the surface of any Starlink dish, taking it out of commission until a replacement arrives. Being without internet for days or even weeks isn’t acceptable, so what can be done about it?
I found several companies that make covers for Starlink, designed to shield it from hail and other elements. The best option, in my opinion, is a product called Dishy Shield.
Dishy Shield is a clear polycarbonate cover that slides over any Starlink dish. Plastic is radio-translucent, meaning the satellite signal can pass right through the cover, without affecting performance. The polycarbonate material used in Dishy Shield is impact resistant and UV coated, allowing it to withstand severe environments without flinching.
There are similar products out there, but where Dishy Shield shines is the simple slide on installation. With some of the other products and DIY methods, installing the cover can get complicated, and it often adds significant bulk to the overall size of the dish.
Dishy Shield is available for the Gen 2 Standard Actuated, High Performance, and Gen 3 Standard models. It comes in a 3mm or 4.5mm thickness. Prices range from $135 to $170, depending on which dish you have. You can purchase Dishy Shield directly from their website.
Installation is a breeze. There are large tabs on three sides of Dishy Shield. Take the open side and slide it down onto your Starlink, starting at the top of the dish. Work it down until all four corners of Dishy Shield are aligned. You can easily remove it by pulling on the side tabs and sliding Dishy Shield back up.
You can hardly even tell it’s there. I think that’s why I landed on Dishy Shield versus the other options I found during my research. Radomes and other types of plastic covers are out there, but in my opinion, they are bulky and complicated to install. Dishy Shield is incredibly strong, but at the same time, lightweight and easy to install and remove.
The price of $135 (for the 3mm Gen 2 version pictured) is reasonable insurance against hail damage. The Starlink limited warranty does not cover damage caused by weather, so it’s a good idea to protect your investment. It could pay for itself after just one bad storm.
Do you have any DIY or product recommendations for hail protection? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
How does this perform in snow/ice?
How does this perform in snow/ice?
Looks like an awesome product. Hail is definitely a concern with the insane hail we can get in central Texas. This is a step above my original DIY idea of pool noodles and recycled political campaign yard signs. The $65 shipping cost from Down Under was a shock at checkout but still placed the order.
Looks like an awesome product. Hail is definitely a concern with the insane hail we can get in central Texas. This is a step above my original DIY idea of pool noodles and recycled political campaign yard signs. The $65 shipping cost from Down Under was a shock at checkout but still placed the order.
I can’t see a Gen 3 cover, only Gen 2 is offered.
Here is the link to the Gen 3 version: https://www.dishyshield.com/shop/p/dishy-shield-gen-3
I can’t see a Gen 3 cover, only Gen 2 is offered.
Here is the link to the Gen 3 version: https://www.dishyshield.com/shop/p/dishy-shield-gen-3
I find it odd that you did not bother to mention this ships from Australia and costs $65.00 to ship to the US. Bought one anyway but that tidbit should have been in your story.
I find it odd that you did not bother to mention this ships from Australia and costs $65.00 to ship to the US. Bought one anyway but that tidbit should have been in your story.
Will it still melt snow with it on (Gen 3)?
Dishy Shield doesn’t say on their website the last time I checked, and I can’t confirm until winter. But my educated guess is that you will probably want to remove it for winter if you are in an area that gets regular snow and ice. I imagine that some heat will transfer to the plastic from the face of the antenna, but not all.
Will it still melt snow with it on (Gen 3)?
Dishy Shield doesn’t say on their website the last time I checked, and I can’t confirm until winter. But my educated guess is that you will probably want to remove it for winter if you are in an area that gets regular snow and ice. I imagine that some heat will transfer to the plastic from the face of the antenna, but not all.
Nice idle, would like one for my new mini antenna.
Nice idle, would like one for my new mini antenna.