The plan question
Don't cancel in October and reactivate in May — you'll fight account and capacity friction every spring. Use Standby mode: the account stays alive, the dish stays registered, and reactivation is a tap in the app. Six months of Standby costs a fraction of one month at the full rate — check starlink.com for today's numbers.
Layup checklist
- Switch the plan to Standby in the app before haulout — do it at the dock, on wifi, not from memory in December.
- Rinse the dish with freshwater; dried salt crystals pit the surface over a winter.
- If the mount is exposed, pull the dish and store it below — UV and freeze-thaw are harder on plastics than any storm.
- Dielectric grease on connectors. Every one. Future-you says thanks.
- Note your mount positions with a photo — spring re-alignment takes minutes instead of an afternoon.
Spring recommission
- Remount, reconnect, power up at the dock.
- Switch back to your cruising plan before you need it — give it 24 hours.
- Run a speed test and check for obstructions in the app; rigging changes over winter.
- Update firmware while on shore power, not on the hook.
Want it handled?
Spring recommission is part of the all-season support that comes with a Signal Yacht install — one call and your boat's online before launch day. Talk to us →