Hurricanes. Ice Storms. Large Wildfires. ...even rats, can cause significant regional power and communications outages. SO....I bought a Starlink Mini ($249) and quasi-permanently installed it in my leafy suburban neighborhood dwelling - spending another $50 for mounting materials and a 30m Chicom ethernet cable. My goals were to have affordable fall-over internet for cameras, a security system, and have the ability to use email and voice. Gen-Z considers life at 0.5mb/s to be intolerable, but for me? It's something like 75 times faster than dialup and for contingent comms at $5 a month it is a nearly perfect solution. I get alerts from cameras and security systems while away from home. I can do basic internet and FT loved ones while I'm at home and 'the internet is out.' (It's a little like having normal internet in a house with teenagers.) I did a limited 'plugs out' test with Elon-net and here are some random, initial observations: * $5 a month MEANS $5 a month. There are no junk fees. * The latency difference is not the least bit noticeable. * The system draws about 21 watts while in use. I currently use a small 650VA UPS that one of my HVAC providers at work threw away after the wimpy SLA battery failed - as they all do. I bought a $17 replacement but I intend to firm that up with another UPS solution using Lifepo4. The Starlink Mini was designed for the RV and camping life, so power is conveniently very flexible. * 500kb/s sometimes means more given a static install....up to nearly 1mb/s. Over the last 2 months it has never been measured at less. * The onboard router in the unit is fairly impressive. I get a strong signal throughout my house (2000ft/3) and yard (1/4 acre) I'm going to firm that up too, which is why I added the ethernet cable.
