Does strong wind affect antenna operation?

Windy weather can indeed affect the normal operation of an antenna, but it largely depends on how strong the wind is and how well your antenna is installed.

You can imagine the Starlink antenna as a very precise "pitcher" that constantly needs to aim at fast-moving satellite "catchers" in the sky to send and receive signals.

General Windy Conditions (Most Cases)

In most windy weather, you generally don't need to worry.

• Stable Antenna: The Starlink antenna (often called a "dish") is designed to be quite robust and has a certain degree of wind resistance. It has internal motors and sensors that can adjust its position in real-time. Even if it sways a bit in the wind, it can quickly re-aim at the satellite.
• Signal Redundancy: There isn't just one satellite in the sky, but a dense constellation of them. Even if the connection to one satellite is interrupted for a fraction of a second due to swaying, the antenna will immediately connect to the next satellite within its line of sight.

So, during ordinary windy days, you might be browsing the internet or watching videos and won't feel any impact at all.

Extreme Windy Conditions (e.g., Typhoons, Hurricanes)

When wind speeds reach a very high level (e.g., sustained winds over 80 km/h), the situation changes.

1. Connection Interruption: If the wind is so strong that the antenna's motors cannot stably lock onto a satellite, the network connection will become intermittent or even completely interrupted. This is like the "pitcher's" arm flailing wildly in the wind, making it impossible to throw the ball to the "catcher."
2. Automatic Protection: To prevent hardware damage (such as the motors or the antenna itself being blown away), the antenna may trigger a "stow mode" when it detects excessive wind speed. It will flatten itself to reduce wind resistance, much like a ship furling its sails in a storm. At this point, the network will naturally disconnect because it's "saving itself," not "working."

The Most Crucial Point: Installation Quality

Ultimately, the biggest factor is your installation.

• Stable Installation: If you firmly secure the antenna to a concrete roof, a sturdy wall, or a dedicated mount, it will be able to withstand much stronger winds.
• Unstable Installation: If you simply place it on an unstable table or attach it to a thin, wobbly pole, even a moderate breeze might cause your network to become intermittent.

To summarize:

For most windy weather, you don't need to worry at all. But if the weather forecast predicts extreme winds or a typhoon, your internet might be interrupted for self-protection. And the best preparation you can make is to ensure it's installed very securely from the start.