Starlink

[Joe Hogan]

Starlink has a number of ground stations around the US. The location of the ground station being used by your antenna is reported as location. In your instance Dallas. As you move around the country this will change based on your location.
Here in Fiesta Key, Starlink is using the Miami station.

Starlink Ground Station Locations (2024)

Starlink, to deliver internet connectivity to its users, relies on a system of ground stations called gateways. These gateways act as an interlink between the

starlinkinsider.com

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Do you happen to have a tag tied to your shoe lace?

Nobody likes a smart a@@.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Starlink has a number of ground stations around the US. The location of the ground station being used by your antenna is reported as location. In your instance Dallas. As you move around the country this will change based on your location.
Here in Fiesta Key, Starlink is using the Miami station.

Thanks, Joe. Unlike some people on this forum, you gave a reasonable answer. Shoe tag??? I guess its better than as toe tag.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I looked at the ground stations in Texas and funny there is one, New Braunfels, that is less than 20 miles from me yet I'm using the Dallas ground station.

 

[Neal]

Actually, the answer given is incorrect. Google shows:

Starlink primarily determines your location by using the signals received from its satellites in the sky, essentially acting like a GPS system; the network can pinpoint your position by calculating the precise timing and strength of the signals from multiple satellites, allowing for a relatively accurate location without requiring any additional GPS data from your device itself.

Key points about Starlink location tracking:

• Satellite triangulation:
  By measuring the time it takes for signals to reach your Starlink dish from various satellites, the system can calculate your location with high precision.
  
  
• No direct GPS needed:
  While your Starlink device may not have a dedicated GPS chip, the satellite network itself provides the location information.
  
  
• Accuracy limitations:
  While generally very accurate, factors like weather conditions or obstructions can slightly impact location precision.

 

[Neal]

Additional search result:

My IP geolocation is incorrect or too far away. - Starlink Help Center

www.starlink.com

Back to work...

 

[Neal]

Try power cycling your Starlink and see if it refreshes your location.

Back to work for real this time...

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

And nobody like a know-it-all.

I wonder why its picking up Dallas and not New Braunfels?

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Try power cycling your Starlink and see if it refreshes your location.

Back to work for real this time...

Hey, I thought helping me was your job.

 

[Neal]

Also, share a screenshot if you can of where you’re seeing your location info. Been a while since I looked at Starlink stuff.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Actually, the answer given is incorrect. Google shows:

It is but it isn't.
My guess is your location isn't reported in the packet shared on the net. I have location data turned off on my phone and other devices. Just like I don't share my location on the net very often. I would not use a service that didn't respect my privacy, or my desire for it.

Starlink knows where you are. That is how they can help find a stolen system if you ask nicely. Yes I know a thief can't start service, but if they try they can be caught.

Elon our hero! Seems to respect us!

 

[Neal]

It's like cellular, triangulation (I assume). So yeah, your phone company and those "looking for you" can find you.

Recent Hurricane in NC, Starlink is free for very specific areas. How does it know those locations?

Further back before we had the coverage we have now...it sure knew if you were in a supported area or not. So yeah, from a little hindsight and common sense it seems it know where you are and that's not a bad thing. If you need help these tools can save your life. I don't think it's that accurate but I don't know. Maybe there is a GPS in the dishy, who knows...it may be for Starlink's use and not the consumer.

Completely off topic: I'm one that has location turned on for everything. I like my photo's being tagged with location, I like the apps that use it to do their magic, and for emergency response reasons too. I have nothing to hide, heck, all of my passwords (012349876) are on the Internet anyway!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

@Neal I have nothing to hide. All those trinkets come with a price. Just a word about accuracy. What do you think they use to provide GPS? That's right satellites!

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Google has pages on this topic and basically, it sounds like it is what it is. Having a VPN is maybe a workaround. A major complaint is from users wanting to watch a sports program on Starlink but blacked out due to the IP address Starlink is assigning.

 

[Neal]

True, but I guess it's a matter of the receiver to decode it. Doesn't mean space balls have it. But I wonder, as I understand, Starlink uses phased array, and I'd think that could offer a pretty accurate resolution.

Edit: Patriot missile air defense systems use phased array antennas to detect and shoot down incoming missiles. Pretty accurate system!

 

[Neal]

Google has pages on this topic and basically, it sounds like it is what it is. Having a VPN is maybe a workaround. A major complaint is from users wanting to watch a sports program on Starlink but blacked out due to the IP address Starlink is assigning.

Yes, this is what I use, a VPN which Peplink offers called FusionHub (Speedfusion) which connects to my servers in Virginia. This allows me to keep a Virginia location for YouTube TV which is my residence location as well and avoid the out of area nonsense. I hope that goes away someday, it's unfortunate and not everyone can figure out VPN's and setting one up in a specific location.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I tried YouTube TV recently using my Starlink and it was a nightmare. I was in Houston and the message kept asking for my current location. When I would enter the Houston location the message would be something like "No, you're in Dallas". Maybe I need to subscribe to a VPN service.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

BTW...you need to get back to work. Real work.

 

[Neal]

I tried YouTube TV recently using my Starlink and it was a nightmare. I was in Houston and the message kept asking for my current location. When I would enter the Houston location the message would be something like "No, you're in Dallas". Maybe I need to subscribe to a VPN service.

Yeah, unfortunate. A VPN service in your home state/location would certainly help the situation. I recently stumbled across the YouTube TV settings where you tell it your home location, never did that before, may have been a mistake, but found it in Settings. I think though they still allow out of network use for a period of time.

Now how to find a VPN provider in your area (or a specific area)? I'm not sure. @redbaron is probably a lot smarter on that and can help better than me.

 

[Neal]

BTW...you need to get back to work. Real work.

Yeah, your fault. I'm trying, well, trying to avoid work. I wanna play too