Wifi Ranger problem

[mtflybox]

Originally Posted by docj

Sorry I was slow to respond to your post. There can be a number of reasons for the "Not Plugged In" message. The first thing I would try doesn't require you to get on the roof; in fact all you need to do is click on the Reset button on the Setup page of the Ranger's control panel. That's what I would do first.

After the Reset go to the Setup page to see if the modem is being seen. Find the line labeled WFRControl and click on the gear at the right side of the line. A window will expand. In that window you should see the IMEI and the ICCID (the SIM number).

An additional step you can take is to download the recently released firmware update (version 7.1.0b12). There are a number of bug fixes and other improvements. I can't say for sure that it will impact your situation but it is definitely something to do sooner rather than later.

If you can't resolve the problem, please open a support ticket with WiFiRanger by sending an email to support@wifiranger.com

Hi Joel. You helped me on the wifiranger forum. Thx.

The issue is ATT is turning off obsolete service.

[docj]

Originally Posted by mtflybox

Hi Joel. You helped me on the wifiranger forum. Thx.

The issue is ATT is turning off obsolete service.

When I'm directly working with a customer through the WiFiRanger ticket system I don't always know its the same person I'm dealing with here!

[mtflybox]

Pepwave MAX BR1 MINI LTEA refurbished. I'll just leave the existing unit on the roof unplugged till I figure out what I really want to do. I need remote monitoring asap.

12vdc and will work with existing power connection, low power consumption decent cellular and can connect to my house wifi when coach is in my driveway with the additional license.

Hopefully, just set it up using ssid for current device so all my stuff works (tv's, iPads etc we airplay from) xfer my ATT sim card to it cause ATT just upped their rates and I don't want to change plans, connect the ethernet for silverleaf/myrozie and good to go. We'll see.

As you all know, it either works straight away or its a project...

[GW4607]

With my low tech skills I usually don’t understand half of what is being said when dealing with my WIFI Ranger. With that being said I dealt with issues for one year working through WIFI Ranger. Connectivity should be a simple process when using WiFi. My wife does accounting and needs to be able to login to her computer from time to time. Each time she needed to connect it was literally a 45-60 minute ordeal with the WIFI Ranger. We would try all avenues through hot spots on phone to campground WiFi to AT&T SIM card in the Denali. Usually we would eventually get connected but the frustration of “Making” it work was too much. Solution: We went with Internet On The Go. They use Pepwave router. Ours has two SIM cards. One Verizon and one T Mobile. Each has 300 Giga byte of data. Now it works just like our home unit. Always able to connect. Our TV’s in the coach are connected and now we can always get Netflix, Prime or any other streaming service. My wife’s computer always connects along with her printer or any other device we need internet for. No hassle no issues.

Yes there is a cost. Equipment close to $900, monthly cost for data $180, being able to connect without frustration and being able to stream programming without worry of using giga bytes saved for work PRICELESS!

[JVT1129]

I want to remove my Wi-Fi ranger from the roof of my coach. It is the older unit with 2 rubber antennas. It interferes with my RV cover, besides, we really don't use it because as most of you know it doesn't provide any real value.
What should I use to cover the holes in the roof?

[docj]

Originally Posted by JVT1129

I want to remove my Wi-Fi ranger from the roof of my coach. It is the older unit with 2 rubber antennas. It interferes with my RV cover, besides, we really don't use it because as most of you know it doesn't provide any real value.

I'm sorry that you don't feel your Ranger provides any real value.

We are always concerned with whether or not our products meet the needs of our customers and we apologize for what have been a number of instability issues with the Spruce/Denali combos that many of our Newmar customers have installed in their coaches.

WiFiRanger has just released a firmware update that we believe fixes a number of those instability issues. It is firmware version 7.1.0.b12 and all of your Rangers should now be "pointed" to it.

This new update also includes the ability, for the first time, for owner to completely disable the data conduit that exists between their Rangers and our servers. Although doing so does disable some features and prevents our staff from providing direct support we know that this is a feature that some of our customers have requested.

You can direct specific questions about the b11 update to me.

[GUS2000]

Since we removed the WFR equipment from our coach and replaced it with a Peplink solution (notice I used the word solution since the WifiRanger was nothing but problems for us from day one) we have had no issues with reliable connections with either Verizon, AT&T, park/resort wifi and most recently Starlink.

As with everything in life, we are all free to make our own decisions based on the facts in front of us, and the fact was that we never could get reliable connectivity with the WFR equipment.. if anyone wants our old equipment (Denali rooftop LTE modem, internal aspen and spruce router) feel free to PM me.

best of luck

[DoghouseCC]

I must be extremely lucky, but once I got everything plugged in correctly, my wifi ranger works well. Denali/Spruce setup. I have to admit between the WIngard Connect and WifiRanger, is the difference between a technical person's setup and a "plug and play". I hope we can sometime find a middle ground with the firmware but it is better than using the cellphone.

[mtflybox]

Originally Posted by JVT1129

I want to remove my Wi-Fi ranger from the roof of my coach. It is the older unit with 2 rubber antennas. It interferes with my RV cover, besides, we really don't use it because as most of you know it doesn't provide any real value.
What should I use to cover the holes in the roof?

Watching since I’m right behind you.

I’d leave the routing in case you want a roof top antenna.

[Rad22]

Originally Posted by docj

I'm sorry that you don't feel your Ranger provides any real value.

We are always concerned with whether or not our products meet the needs of our customers and we apologize for what have been a number of instability issues with the Spruce/Denali combos that many of our Newmar customers have installed in their coaches.

WiFiRanger has just released a firmware update that we believe fixes a number of those instability issues. It is firmware version 7.1.0.b12 and all of your Rangers should now be "pointed" to it.

This new update also includes the ability, for the first time, for owner to completely disable the data conduit that exists between their Rangers and our servers. Although doing so does disable some features and prevents our staff from providing direct support we know that this is a feature that some of our customers have requested.

You can direct specific questions about the b11 update to me.

I have to say that I had a lot of frustrations with Spruce/Denali set up that came in my 2021 New Aire. It just never seemed stable and was generally unreliable when used with the former FMCA hotspot, even when it was connected by USB to the box. Every new location and new campground Wi-Fi source required "fiddling" with settings and connections for far too long, with constant dropouts and disconnects.

However, as docj suggested, the new firmware update has made a "night and day" difference. Everything works smoothly and automatic connections and re-connections at different previously visited campsites and locations is working well currently. The setup pages are faster, snappier and easier to understand.

The bonus is that MyRozie is much more stable and I am now able to reliably get data from the coach remotely when stored in its facility.

The switchover to ATT and the new Moxee hotspot by FMCA is also an improvement worth mentioning in terms of speed and reliability, even if $10 more per month.

[Tedj101]

Originally Posted by docj

WiFiRanger has just released a firmware update that we believe fixes a number of those instability issues. It is firmware version 7.1.0.b12 and all of your Rangers should now be "pointed" to it.

You can direct specific questions about the b11 update to me.

Doc,

I have a new coach arriving in the next couple of weeks (hopefully). It has a Spruce Denali setup in it but I am sure it won't have this latest update to the firmware. Can I update the firmware before setting up the unit, or is it easier to get it set up on the old firmware and then update it?

Thanks,
<TED>

[docj]

Originally Posted by Tedj101

Doc,

I have a new coach arriving in the next couple of weeks (hopefully). It has a Spruce Denali setup in it but I am sure it won't have this latest update to the firmware. Can I update the firmware before setting up the unit, or is it easier to get it set up on the old firmware and then update it?

Thanks,
<TED>

Hi Ted:

Because your Ranger is an integral part of your coach it will already be "set up", but that doesn't stop you from easily updating it.

Every page of the Ranger's control panel has a link in the upper right corner that reads Check For Updates. Clicking on that link until blue bars start to scroll will cause that link to then read Update Firmware. Clicking on that link initiates the 10-15 minute update process.

[Mark3101]

Originally Posted by Tedj101

Doc,

I have a new coach arriving in the next couple of weeks (hopefully). It has a Spruce Denali setup in it but I am sure it won't have this latest update to the firmware. Can I update the firmware before setting up the unit, or is it easier to get it set up on the old firmware and then update it?

Thanks,
<TED>

TED,

Do yourself a favor and get something else. Ranger is junk, and no amount of trying to tell people how good it is will change the fact that is just plain junk.

Get a Pepwave and live happily with it instead of having issues with the garbage Ranger products. The best tool to use with a Ranger is a sledgehammer. When done place it in the nearest dumpster.

Newmar should be ashamed of ever placing that crap in their products. It makes no sense when MUCH better products are available, and have been available for quite some time.

[Tedj101]

Originally Posted by docj

Hi Ted:

Because your Ranger is an integral part of your coach it will already be "set up", but that doesn't stop you from easily updating it.

Every page of the Ranger's control panel has a link in the upper right corner that reads Check For Updates. Clicking on that link until blue bars start to scroll will cause that link to then read Update Firmware. Clicking on that link initiates the 10-15 minute update process.

Thanks, Doc. That sounds easy enough!

<TED>