Wifi Ranger Denali/Spruce LTE

[BBelanger]

Originally Posted by Vickie 4369

We appreciate you sharing your IT knowlege.

I have the WifiRanger Sky 4, What I am getting from this is I should be able to convince ATT to give me a sim card for any ATT hotspot device and it should work

I have yet to activate my WifiRanger Hotpsot side of the unit due to outrageous cost of data plans currently offered by Winy guard.

Any tips on how to get this to work?

I tried for two weeks to get AT&T to activate the sim in my wifi ranger. I couldn't get it to work. My guess is that the pre installed sim is Freedom Go only. So I gave up and bought a cell modem (hotspot), purchased an AT&T plan for that and I'm doing fine.

As far as the wifi portion of wifi Ranger, my laptop and cell phones pickup the wifi signal in the campgrounds faster than the Ranger and even see some the Ranger on the roof doesn't. Terrible

Absolute waste of money.

In my prior coach, I purchased and installed a Pepwave roof mounted antenna and it's router had two sim slots. So if you bought two sim plans, the Pepwave would look at all three sources, the campground wifi and the two sims and based on your priority and speed minimums, it would connect automatically. I thought that's what WIFI Ranger would do. NOT

Absolute waste of money, yes it needs to be said twice. I'm extremely disappointed...

As was said before, they expect us to crawl on the roof to change a sim? What were they drinking when they thought that was a good idea? The sims belong in the router, in the coach, not on the roof. I was sure I was missing something when I saw that's what you needed to do to change cell providers.

I'd ask someone from Ranger or Newmar to explain their thinking but I'm sure I would be talking to deaf ears. They have the monopoly for data plans, and I guess that was exactly their intention, to not have to compete.

N'uff said, the more I type the more upset I get...

Bill Bélanger

[docj]

Originally Posted by Vickie 4369

I have yet to activate my WifiRanger Hotpsot side of the unit due to outrageous cost of data plans currently offered by Winy guard.

To clarify an important point, you are not, at all, restricted to using the data plans sold through Winegard. There are other AT&T and T-Mobile data-only (hotspot) plans that will work with all Ranger modems.

[docj]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

I tried for two weeks to get AT&T to activate the sim in my wifi ranger. I couldn't get it to work. My guess is that the pre installed sim is Freedom Go only. So I gave up and bought a cell modem (hotspot), purchased an AT&T plan for that and I'm doing fine.

With all due respect, if you had asked me or WiFiRanger we could have told you that we have hundred of customers using AT&T and T-Mobile plans other than those sold by Winegard. I can apologize for the poor training of many AT&T customer service personnel, but there are those who know how to set up a plan to use in a WiFiRanger modem

In my prior coach, I purchased and installed a Pepwave roof mounted antenna and it's router had two sim slots. So if you bought two sim plans, the Pepwave would look at all three sources, the campground wifi and the two sims and based on your priority and speed minimums, it would connect automatically. I thought that's what WIFI Ranger would do. NOT

If you compare the Everest rooftop router to the Pepwave you will see that the Everest accommodates two modems (two separate SIMs) and BOTH can be active at the same time, either used together in a Load Balance mode or one at a time. In addition, the Load Balanced connection can be expanded to include multiple WiFi internet connections.

As was said before, they expect us to crawl on the roof to change a sim? What were they drinking when they thought that was a good idea? The sims belong in the router, in the coach, not on the roof.

You chose to purchase a WiFiRanger with a roof-mounted modem (and SIM). Most OEM WiFiRanger installations have only a rooftop router so that's the only place the modem can be installed. However, for more that 10 years we have marketed twin-router systems where an indoor router operates, in tandem, with a rooftop one. No doubt you could have specified adding an Aspen indoor router to your WiFiRanger system. The Aspen can have an integrated modem and, furthermore, it can tether up to three phones and/or hotspots through its single USB port.

It was not WiFiRanger's decision to force you to get on the roof to change the SIM; it is the consequence of the configuration of the system you elected to have installed on your RV.

As for your comments about the Winegard data plans, I'll reiterate my comment that no one is forced to use them. I personally, have tested multiple other SIMs in my Ranger and they work just fine.

[BBelanger]

Originally Posted by docj

To clarify an important point, you are not, at all, restricted to using the data plans sold through Winegard. There are other AT&T and T-Mobile data-only (hotspot) plans that will work with all Ranger modems.

Thanks Docj, we tried for two weeks to get my sim activated through an AT&T reseller and the modem would never work. So if we are not restricted to the Winegard plan, its possible my modem is faulty. I wouldn't know where to strat to check it. Would you have any suggestions on that?

Thanks
Bill Bélanger

[BBelanger]

I chose the only option Newmar offered. I didn't study Denali/Everest, I just assumed someone was looking out for me. I feel between the two manufacturers, someone didn't chose the proper system. The modem may accommodate different cell vendors but I have to climb on the roof to make a change. This isn't the right system for this coach.

See the attached order sheet.

So I'm not sure who is to blame Newmar for choosing this system, or Winegard for recommending it, but I'm quite sure the $200 difference in the better system wouldn't have swayed my decision on what coach to buy. I'll assume Newmar doesn't know Denali from Everest, I would then think that Winegard would be knowledgeable enough to tell them that the Everest would be the better option. In any case, both have let me down.
With all due respect.

Bill

[docj]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Thanks Docj, we tried for two weeks to get my sim activated through an AT&T reseller and the modem would never work. So if we are not restricted to the Winegard plan, its possible my modem is faulty. I wouldn't know where to strat to check it. Would you have any suggestions on that?

Since I don't know who your reseller was, I can't comment on their competence. I hope it wasn't one of those shopping center stores that claim they are "agents for AT&T." You're much better off at a corporate store or over the phone.

In all your attempts to connect, did anyone tell you to enter the correct APN into the modem? I'm amazed how many times that essential fact is omitted.

If you want to get your modem checked out, please contact WiFiRanger.com Customer Service and open a service ticket. The staff will be able to check your system out remotely and help get you going, or fix it, if necessary.

[docj]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

I chose the only option Newmar offered. I didn't study Denali/Everest, I just assumed someone was looking out for me. I feel between the two manufacturers, someone didn't chose the proper system. The modem may accommodate different cell vendors but I have to climb on the roof to make a change. This isn't the right system for this coach.

Your order sheet says that you have a Spruce/Denali WiFiRanger system. Even though the Spruce doesn't have a built-in modem, it is capable of tethering up to three hotspots and/or phones with the addition of an inexpensive USB hub.

You could alternatively replace the Spruce with an Aspen router which could be configured with a single Cat-6 modem and which would also be capable of tethering 3 devices. Either of those options would give you indoor SIMs which you prefer. The Aspen would work with your Denali just as your Spruce does with no changes in cabling.

[TravelSolo]

Unless the wifi ranger now supports MIMO when using cellular connection you are better off with a good hotspot and maybe adding an external antenna to that is needed.

Sure the wifi ranger can help with picking up campground or other nearby wifi but you really want MIMO support for a faster and reliable cellular connection and preferably 4x4 MIMO but 2x2 will work.

[BBelanger]

Thanks Docj, I used "broadband" as the APN. I'll try wifi ranger support tomorrow. I see I have to start a support ticket. I'll do that. Do you have any idea why Newmar used the Spruce instead of the Aspen?

Thanks Travelsolo, I have a Netgear Nighthawk MR100 with an AT&T sim. Working great. I use the Spruce router to connect to it when the router doesn't get a good campground signal. That way I can leave my TV tethered to the Spruce without having to enter passwords with a TV remote. I can do that from my laptop in the Spruce Control Panel. Sure would have been nice for the Denali to have been able to use the installed sim.

Bill Bélanger

[Auburnlisa]

Originally Posted by docj

Even though the Spruce doesn't have a built-in modem, it is capable of tethering up to three hotspots and/or phones with the addition of an inexpensive USB hub.

You could alternatively replace the Spruce with an Aspen router which could be configured with a single Cat-6 modem and which would also be capable of tethering 3 devices. Either of those options would give you indoor SIMs which you prefer. The Aspen would work with your Denali just as your Spruce does with no changes in cabling.

Docj, thanks so much for your responsiveness. We purchased a Denali/Spruce combination in late 2020 (was a retirement gift from my company that was timebound or I would have waited on the Everest.) I am struggling to tether two hotspots to the Spruce. I was told by WiFi Ranger support that the Spruce only USB 2.0 so I purchased a powered USB 2.0 hub. But I cannot get the hotspots to be recognized by the Spruce. I know I am just missing something in the settings. I have a Sprint M2000 and a Verizon 8800L. Can you give me some guidance on how I should configure the Settings for Cellular 1 and Cellular 2 to get this to work? (I am currently attempting to update the firmware to 7.1.0b9)

I have tried manually inputting the APNs for both hotspots since they didn't "automatically" populate.

Lisa

[docj]

Originally Posted by Auburnlisa

Docj, thanks so much for your responsiveness. We purchased a Denali/Spruce combination in late 2020 (was a retirement gift from my company that was timebound or I would have waited on the Everest.) I am struggling to tether two hotspots to the Spruce. I was told by WiFi Ranger support that the Spruce only USB 2.0 so I purchased a powered USB 2.0 hub. But I cannot get the hotspots to be recognized by the Spruce. I know I am just missing something in the settings. I have a Sprint M2000 and a Verizon 8800L. Can you give me some guidance on how I should configure the Settings for Cellular 1 and Cellular 2 to get this to work? (I am currently attempting to update the firmware to 7.1.0b9)

Hi Lisa:

FWIW you could have purchased a USB 3 hub; it would have worked even though the Spruce only provides USB 2 support.

As for the problems you are having, there's a simple explanation. The Ranger's firmware identifies tethered devices using an "identifier" that is programmed into their firmware . Both the M2000 and the 8800L are manufactured by Inseego (formerly Novatel) and both these devices have the same electronic identifier.

As a result, the Ranger essentially can't tell them apart and, therefore, they can't both be tethered at the same time. The same problem would also be shared by the Novatel 7730L.

I, personally, have two M2000's and a 7730L and I have one tethered by USB while the other two are connected via WiFi.

I apologize for this limitation and it is something we expect to resolve in a future firmware update, but, for the moment, you can only tether one of the two devices at a time.

As for entering APNs for the hotspots, there's no need to do any of that. The hotspot already has the appropriate APN in its "memory" or it wouldn't be working before you plugged it in. Being connected to the Ranger doesn't change anything about what's going on "inside" the hotspot. The Ranger doesn't "get involved" in the hotspot's cellular connection.

[Auburnlisa]

Docj, thank you so much!! That’s makes so much sense as the profiles seemed to be “overwriting” each other as I tried to connect both hotspots. And we did originally purchase a USB 3.0 hub so we’ll go ahead and use that and return the 2.0 hub.

I’m fairly tech savvy so I feel much better that I am not completely losing my mind. Appreciate the time you’ve taken to reply.

[dizcom]

There are so many better options out there, for less money, than what wifi ranger offers. Just a little bit of study is all it takes to understand how to get better internet access. There are many threads here that talk about some of those options, and YouTube is filled with DIY internet solutions on the go that cost less and perform better.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Auburnlisa

Docj, thank you so much!! That’s makes so much sense as the profiles seemed to be “overwriting” each other as I tried to connect both hotspots. And we did originally purchase a USB 3.0 hub so we’ll go ahead and use that and return the 2.0 hub.

My CTO cautioned me that there are circumstances under which the a USB 2.0 device might not work well with a USB 3.0 hub. So test it out before returning the USB 2.0 hub. Your Spruce has a USB 2.0 port, but, in contrast, the port in the Aspen is USB 3.0.