This is part of the Blockstream Satellite Kit setup guide.
Before starting the Blockstream Satellite Base Station setup process, you should make sure that you have all the required components available, as shown below.
Some components are not included with the kit and will need to be purchased online or from your local hardware store.
Required Components
Included in the Kit
- Flat-panel antenna (with integrated LNB and receiver)
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector
- AC adapter
- Mounting brackets
Purchased separately
- A computer running Linux: Most mid-range laptops from the last five years will meet the minimum specifications required to run the Blockstream Satellite software. If you want to connect the Base Station directly to your computer, it will need an Ethernet port or a USB adapter. We recommend Ubuntu for the easiest setup.
- 1x long Ethernet cable: The cable should be long enough to reach from the satellite antenna to your computer or router. For example, if you are installing the satellite antenna on a roof and your router is placed in an indoor office, you will probably need a 10-30m cable to cover the distance.
- 1x short Ethernet cable: The cable only needs to be long enough to connect your PoE injector to your computer or router, which are probably stored in the same place. If you are using a PoE-enabled router, you do not need this item.
- (Optional) A router: The Base Station can be connected to any standard home or office router with a spare Ethernet port. We'd recommend using a router with Power over Ethernet (PoE) for a cleaner setup.
- (Optional) A satellite finder: Aligning the Base Station to receive the Blockstream Satellite signal can be done without a satellite finder, but we highly recommend using one to make it easier.
Next Steps
After confirming that you have all components prepared, you will need to install the Blockstream Satellite utility.