Community Forums

CaptBill · 05-23-2015, 09:21 AM

As some of you may know, I've been working on the old rig over the winter, doing some major projects and upgrades, so we are latte to get out on an RV trip.

Last week we went to a nice, large CG in Md, with our friends from the Deleware and Maryland Winnies State Club. The CG had wifi, but we we so far from the WAP's, that my wife couldn't even see a wifi signal on her iPad, and I could see 1 bar, then none, on my laptop PC.

It has been a very long time since I have used my old WiFi Ranger, and I did have a few issues with it several years ago. Joel helped me get them resolved (thank you Joel, wherever you are), but I haven't tried it since. In fact, I do not remember how to set it up, and cannot find the note that outling the steps needed.

I decided to plug it in anyways. I have an Ubiquity Bullet on the batwing antenna arm, and so I cranked that up, and see what happened. Much to my surprise, I had 5 bars of CG wifi right in my motorhome! I knew my wifi password, so I logged in, and wow. it showed 1.89bg connect speed .

The WiFi Ranger automatically found the best wifi signal, connected to it, and it worked fantastic, all 3 days we were there. Life is good.

docj · 05-24-2015, 03:09 PM

Hi Bill:

Glad your Ranger worked for you. You might want to update it to the latest firmware; it is a big improvement over the version you probably have now. Just click on the check for upgrade link in the upper right corner. It might take a few times for the "tunnel" to open so the device can check; just be persistent.

Joel (AKA docj)

CaptBill · 05-25-2015, 07:13 AM

Thanks, doc. I will do that. The WFR really worked great, and we look forward to using it on all the upcoming trips this summer.

MisterT · 05-25-2015, 09:31 AM

Love our WifiRanger, too - even had a slight problem last week that they were able to solve purely ONLINE - what a relief and what good customer service.
[I had tried to 'hide' our signal from others nearby, but apparently I hid it from myself!]
Thanks WifiRanger : )

(picture is from recent Thor Motor Coach rally - PineMountainRVresort)
in the Cool N Ga mountains...

Steve Ownby · 05-25-2015, 10:15 AM

Docj,

I continue to have a occasional issue with my Ranger. Sometimes I get a "no IP address". I have seen this message when I can get on line with absolutely no issue with another devise. Then an hour later or the next day the Ranger will hook up to the same source. Obviously it's not a problem when we can get on line directly but is a major problem when traveling & the wifi signal isn't strong enough.

Any suggestions?

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

docj · 05-25-2015, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

Docj,

I continue to have a occasional issue with my Ranger. Sometimes I get a "no IP address". I have seen this message when I can get on line with absolutely no issue with another devise. Then an hour later or the next day the Ranger will hook up to the same source. Obviously it's not a problem when we can get on line directly but is a major problem when traveling & the wifi signal isn't strong enough.

Any suggestions?

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Steve:

That "No IP Address" phenomenon can occur if the wifi access point you are connecting to doesn't actually have internet connectivity at that moment. In other words, you are able to make a connection to the access point but you can't really get on the internet.

The WiFiRanger checks its internet status more frequently, I think , than most computers do so it's possible that it could show an error condition when another device might not. I've seen that sort of behavior when it connects to an "erratic" cellular hotspot; the Ranger will show the hotspot as "stalled" while the computer may not.

When that sort of thing happens have you repeatedly tried to connect the Ranger to the access point or have you given up for a while? If the situation is what I think it is, you might find that it connects fine a minute or two later.

Joel

Steve Ownby · 05-25-2015, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

Steve:

That "No IP Address" phenomenon can occur if the wifi access point you are connecting to doesn't actually have internet connectivity at that moment. In other words, you are able to make a connection to the access point but you can't really get on the internet.

The WiFiRanger checks its internet status more frequently, I think , than most computers do so it's possible that it could show an error condition when another device might not. I've seen that sort of behavior when it connects to an "erratic" cellular hotspot; the Ranger will show the hotspot as "stalled" while the computer may not.

When that sort of thing happens have you repeatedly tried to connect the Ranger to the access point or have you given up for a while? If the situation is what I think it is, you might find that it connects fine a minute or two later.

Joel

Thanks for the info Joel.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07