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A comment on Starlink's first constellation of direct-to-phone satellites is now in orbit. Parent comment

Re:Starlink's first constellation of direct-to-phone satelli... by HPsquared on Monday December 09, 2024 @07:08PM (#42372092)
Cars are probably a pretty good application. Plenty of power available, good view of sky usually (or in a city with cell reception), and stable platform might help with directional antenna compared to handheld.
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Re:Starlink's first constellation of direct-to-phone satelli... by lxgr on Monday December 09, 2024 @09:34PM (#42373120)
More power won't help you here, I think: Since this uses regular terrestrial LTE bands and modems, you wouldn't be allowed to use any more in the uplink than a regular phone (i.e. 250 or so mW EIRP).

I could see in-car based Starlink usage in the Ka band, though – the Starlink Mini terminal definitely fits the form factor and power envelope.

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Re:Starlink's first constellation of direct-to-phone satelli... by HPsquared on Tuesday December 10, 2024 @01:32PM (#42379753)
Okay maybe not more watts, but the same power can be made more directional with a phased array or something I'd assume? (I am not an EE)

EDIT: Oh, I see. EIRP already accounts for directionality and is measured where the antenna gain is highest. Never mind then!

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