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I built my own Wi-Fi router with a Raspberry Pi for Starlink and solar control - here's how

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Why This Matters

Building a custom Wi-Fi router using a Raspberry Pi offers consumers a cost-effective, highly customizable solution for off-grid connectivity, especially for specialized needs like Starlink integration and solar power control. This approach highlights the growing versatility of single-board computers in networking, empowering users to tailor their setups beyond commercial routers. It also underscores the importance of DIY solutions in enhancing security, flexibility, and energy efficiency in the evolving tech landscape.

Key Takeaways

I needed a wireless router that I could connect to Starlink or tether to a handset. So I built one. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Why buy a wireless router when you can build one?

This is a great way to highlight the power and versatility of the Raspberry Pi.

It's quite a cheap solution, but there are cheaper mobile options.

I needed a Wi-Fi router. I'm in the UK, so I'm not caught up in all that US FCC Wi-Fi router ban nonsense, but I needed a specific kind of router, one that I could use off-grid and act as a hub for my Starlink, control my solar power station, and such.

It needed to be small, draw a low amount of energy, and be customizable to my heart's content.

Also: This is the power backup setup I trust after years of testing - solar panels included

So I decided to build one. Not from scratch, mind you (I didn't feel like mining the ore to make the chips), but starting with one of my favorite bits of kit: the Raspberry Pi.

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