HTE Starlink DIY Self-Survey & Prep Guide

Hamptons Edition – updated July 2025

1. Why This Guide Exists

We can install and configure Starlink for you, but rolling a truck just to “take a look” makes these starter packages cost-prohibitive. This self-guided checklist lets you confirm that Starlink will work at your home—all in about the time it takes to finish a coffee.

2. What You’ll Need

Smartphone with the free Starlink app (iOS or Android)
Tape measure or laser range-finder (optional but helpful)
Ladder tall enough to reach the eaves (only if you’re comfortable)
This guide + our self-survey upload link

Safety first: If you’re not 100 % sure-footed, stay on the ground and choose our credited Pro Survey ($670 applied to your install).

3. Scout Two or Three Candidate Spots

Often a Win

Ridge line or upper chimney cap
Gable end that clears nearby treetops
15- to 25-ft galvanized pole near the pool-equipment pad

Often a Fail

Deck railing under an oak canopy
Mid-slope of a cedar roof shaded by trees
Back-of-garage wall facing dense pines

4. Run the Starlink Obstruction Test

Open the Starlink app and tap Check for Obstructions.
Hold the phone flat and slowly sweep the sky until the progress ring hits 100 %.
A map appears—green/gray = clear, pink = blocked.
Take a screenshot and note the “Expected Obstruction” time.

Pass / Borderline / Fail

0 – 5 s obstruction → Pass – you’re good to go.
6 – 50 s obstruction → Borderline – usually fine, but we may suggest a taller mount.
51 s + or a solid pink wedge → Fail – choose a higher or clearer location.

Tree-belt tip: Run the test twice—mid-day and late afternoon. Full summer foliage can add 15 – 20 % blockage.

5. Photo & Measurement Checklist

Upload these four JPEGs (max 10 MB each) via our Self-Survey form:

Obstruction screenshot – proves sky clearance.
Wide exterior shot of the chosen spot – shows ladder access & mounting surface.
Cable-path photo from dish location to router area – lets us pre-cut cable & plan a watertight entry.
Interior rack/shelf where the router will live – so we can pre-label power and PoE.

(Optional) Measure the straight-line distance from dish to router wall—helps us ship the right cable length.

6. Mounting Solutions We Use in the Hamptons

Asphalt or cedar roof: Starlink Flashing + Pivot Mount—watertight, coastal-wind rated.
Standing-seam metal roof: Roof Clamp Sata Mount—zero penetrations, keeps roof warranty intact.
Open lawn with trees: 2-in Schedule-40 galvanized pole (10 – 25 ft) set in concrete—clears the canopy without roof work.
High-wind / ocean-front: Ridgeline mount (50 mph rated) with guy wires if over 30 ft.
Portable / temporary: Non-penetrating roof rack or weighted sled—great for events, job sites, or RVs.

All roof penetrations receive high-temp sealant, ice-&-water shield, and a drip-looped cable gland—no loose staples down cedar shakes!

7. Special Hamptons Considerations

Salt air & nor’easters: We spec 316-stainless or hot-dip-galv hardware—no rust streaks on shingles.
Village & HOA rules: Southampton and East Hampton often require a satellite-antenna permit; we’ll file it if needed.
Leaf-on vs leaf-off: A dish that passes in March may fail in July—use a full-leaf scan for confidence.
Backup power: Brownouts spike on summer weekends; ask about our in-line UPS kits sized for Starlink + router.

8. Submit & Next Steps

Upload your four photos plus the obstruction screenshot.
Our engineers review within 1 business day.
- Pass → You receive a firm quote & install date.
- Borderline → We recommend a taller mount or our credited Pro Survey.
Hardware ships (3–5 days) or we arrive with a pre-configured kit.
Typical “live-internet” time on install day: under two hours.

9. Quick-Hit FAQ

What if every spot fails?
We can add a 10- to 25-ft pole or a tree-strap mount to clear the canopy.

Will the dish melt snow?
Yes—Starlink dishes include an auto-heater, though heavy ice storms may still need a quick broom sweep.

Can I keep Optimum for TV and use Starlink for data?
Absolutely. Our DualGuard router auto-routes traffic and keeps Sonos & Control4 online through outages.

Is data capped?
Residential plans have 1 TB of Priority Data; Business plans get 2 TB. After that, speeds slow but stay usable.