Cheapest way to get another starlink router or 3rd party mesh

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  Alan6984 on 02/06/2026 - 09:02

  +1

  What is the particular reason that you would need a mesh network for your setup?

  Any WiFi AP (or multiple APs if a single one can't reach all the cameras) should be able to do what you need, and then you connect that / them to your peripheral router (which happens to be StarLink in this case I guess).

  I would note that it might be easier if you aren't up to speed with networking to have a single mesh network, but probably not necessary?

  However, perhaps I'm missing something obvious!

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    Afrosven on 02/06/2026 - 10:04

    So I have a lot of alexa Echo speakers around the house. When I use multiple separate APs, even if they have the same SSIDs and passwords, the echo speakers don't function correctly in a single speaker group for playing music. This issue doesn't happen with a mesh network. Not sure why.

    • 

      Alan6984 on 02/06/2026 - 17:09

      +1

      Okay - that would be an important consideration.

      I haven't tried setting up multiple Echos as a single speaker - ours work independently so that the kids can use theirs in their room and listen to something different to ours in the lounge.

      You might need to read the technical requirements from Amazon, but at a guess, you would likely need to ensure that all the speakers are on the same subnet for them to act together.

      Having them on multiple APs (could be different SSIDs - that should not matter I think, but you would have to check that too) might be okay as long as the APs are purely APs, and everything is controlled by a single router (at least all the Echos anyway).

      If you setup each AP as a router in its own right, then the devices probably can't see each other across the different subnets you'd have created.

      None of that would require a mesh network though, but if you aren't sure, then as mentioned before - it might be easier to setup.

      • 

        Afrosven on 02/06/2026 - 20:23

        Edit!

        Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I have some old old arcadyan routers that spark / skinny / bigpipe sent out free.

        No AP mode but I've just disabled DHCP and they function as dumb access points. Should I set the ssid and channels all identical?

        • 

          Alan6984 on 02/06/2026 - 21:19

          +1

          @Afrosven:

          Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I have some old old arcadyan routers that spark / skinny / bigpipe sent out free.

          No AP mode but I've just disabled DHCP and they function as dumb access points. Should I set the ssid and channels all identical?

          I don't know for sure, but easy to try both ways.

          My personal preference would be to see if it works with unique SSIDs / channels (especially channels - better performance probably), but if that doesn't work you could try first same SSIDs, and then move to the same channels if it still doesn't work.

          Unique SSIDs makes it easier to troubleshoot if you have any issues with a particular endpoint.

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            Afrosven on 02/06/2026 - 21:24

            @Alan6984: I've learned a lot thanks Alan. I didn't fully understand what you meant at the start. I realise now I must have previously tried using multiple routers instead of just access points.

            If they have the same local ip I should probably adjust that so theyre different but same subnet before turning off the dhcp.

            Can I daisy chain? I assume so. Wow, you've saved me like $400 bucks thanks Alan!

            Wait. Why does mesh router packs even exist when you can just use access points?

            • 

              Alan6984 on 02/06/2026 - 22:41

              +1

              @Afrosven:

              If they have the same local ip I should probably adjust that so theyre different but same subnet before turning off the dhcp.

              Yes - you can't have two endpoints on the same subnet with the same IP address - they will conflict and cause problems. If the one router that you will be using provides DHCP, then you can use that, and you will automagically avoid any IP conflicts.

              Can I daisy chain? I assume so.

              If you are referring to routers, then yes - absolutely. That is a very common network setup, albeit not so often in a domestic setting.

              Why does mesh router packs even exist when you can just use access points?

              In most cases, mesh networks are easier to setup and configure - they are more aimed at people who aren't really up to speed with networking, but they usually cost more.

              It's a bit like asking why do people pay so much for Apple products when they can get better kit, with more capabilities, for a lower price - some people just want it to work and don't want to know HOW it works, and they are willing (or are just have no choice but) to pay a lot more for not knowing.

    • 

      KevlarCoated on 02/06/2026 - 22:55

      +1

      Its probably a configuration issue on the APs, you want only want one that is acting as the router, that should be connecting to the star link. The rest of them should be just acting as APs. If you can hardwire the connections to the APs from the router AP (plug into general ethernet ports not the "internet" port on the APs) and disable DNS on them.

      Also set them up to different wifi channels (1,6,11) to get the least interference