Starlink Emergency Response Kits

Maintaining connectivity in the field is super important for responders. Leading Edge prioritizes being connected at all times. It's central to what we do. The best drones and sensors are powerless on a response if they can't communicate with operations.

Enter the Starlink Standard kit. This kit is used to provide high-quality internet connectivity to a command post or incident facility with the intent on being flexible and working continuously. The dish and accoutrement are packed away in a custom hardcase which has a mount for the dish. This dish is self-heating and self-aiming, allowing it to pivot to find the best angle. The router and dish are powered by a solar generator, in this case a Bluetti AC240.

Testing day was a classic "Seattle Sunshine" type day. Overcast, intermittent sprinkles; and the 200 watt solar panel and solar generator were able to soak up just enough rays to fully power the Starlink and keep the battery topped off. The generator has enough juice to run the Starlink for a full day without any solar input. Oh, and the whole thing is IP rated and suitable for being deployed outside in rainy conditions. Even the solar generator.

For maximum portability, I built a Starlink Mini kit. This time, the power source is Milwaukee tool batteries ran in parallel through an inverter to power the Mini dish. Accessories live in custom printed bins and a custom printed mount holds the dish in place, keeping everything oriented correctly when the case is moved around. Depending on the size tool batteries used, the dish can run for 20+ hours continuously, and the batteries can be hotswapped to avoid down time.

Everything fits in a 22" Milwaukee Packout hard case, and the dish works with the lid closed. This means the entire kit can be loaded up into the bed of a pickup, strapped to a UTV or the deck of a boat, or otherwise secured anywhere with a clear view of the sky. The case being closed means the kit is totally waterproof and super easy to move around. With one of these you can truly connect a field team to command no matter where they are.

For the Leading Edge Incident Support Truck, we use something a bit different. A roof mounted Starlink dish supports operations in most circumstances, but I've found that driving through thick tree cover can disrupt service. Plus, I can't always park the truck in a spot with a totally clear view of the sky. To get around that, I have partnered the roof mounted Starlink dish with a Peplink BR5 and a high-gain 5g antenna. The Peplink combines Starlink with Verizon and T-Mobile cellular hotspots, with the ability to swap sim cards out with any other carrier. The high gain antenna works as a cell booster and broadcasts a large area wifi network.