WiFiRanger Osprey brings internet capability to Winegard Air360+

[docj]

If you own a Winegard Air360+ and have wanted to convert it into a router capable of connecting to park WiFi and cellular networks, now you CAN!

The WiFiRanger Osprey easily attaches to your Air 360+ from inside your RV and converts it into a dual band router (2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz WiFi) running WiFiRanger software. It comes equipped with your choice of either a Cat 6 or Cate 12 integrated cellular modem.

Read about Osprey and order one here: https://wifiranger.com/shop/indoor-routers/osprey/

[Wifi Ranger]

If you're one of the >100,000 owners of a Winegard Air360+ here's a chance to turn it into a dual band router with WiFiRanger firmware.

[aarong]

Any way to know if the Osprey from WifiRanger will work with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile SIM cards? Websites says it is unsupported, but still possible.

The only plan supported looks like a very expensive FreedomGo plan? That it?

[docj]

Originally Posted by aarong

Any way to know if the Osprey from WifiRanger will work with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile SIM cards? Websites says it is unsupported, but still possible.

The only plan supported looks like a very expensive FreedomGo plan? That it?

I don't know which website said that WiFiRanger modems are "unsupported" on the major cellular carriers. But that statement simply isn't true of Osprey or any other Rangers with integrated modems.

All Rangers with integrated modems can be used on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks using "data only" plans, the kind you would use with a standalone hotspot.

WiFiRanger modems are shipped with Winegard FreedomGO SIMs as a convenience for our customers who are under no obligation to use them. If a customer chooses to purchase a FreedomGo data plan, the purchase is made directly from the Ranger's control panel.

Currently, the majority of WiFiRanger modems are not certified on the Verizon network, but we do have a limited number of Category 4 modems that can be activated on Verizon in specific router models.

Furthermore, Osprey and all other indoor Ranger routers have USB ports which are suitable for tethering hotspots and/or phones. Tethered devices can be used on any of the cellular networks.

[docj]

If anyone is considering the purchase of an Osprey, here's a review by an independent reviewer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JwXorJgbKY

[docj]

Originally Posted by aarong

Any way to know if the Osprey from WifiRanger will work with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile SIM cards? Websites says it is unsupported, but still possible.

The only plan supported looks like a very expensive FreedomGo plan? That it?

With all due respect this is incorrect. Osprey's modem will work with both the AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Any data-only plan, the kind used for hotspots, should work fine.

The FreedomGo SIM that is provided with the device is purely for the convenience of our customers, if they wish to use FreedomGo plans. They are under no obligation to use FreedomGo.

[MevetS]

Originally Posted by docj

I don't know which website said that WiFiRanger modems are "unsupported" on the major cellular carriers. But that statement simply isn't true of Osprey or any other Rangers with integrated modems.

Per WiFi Ranger : https://wifiranger.com/solutions/#lte

The "Unsupported" claim is an overstatement, but in fact, it's not exactly wrong, either. See attached screen shot.

However, I use a T-Mobile SIM (data only) and have run into minor setup problems. It's just that if you run into issues, WiFi Ranger will provide a direction in which to head. It's more of a hint, then an answer. If you persist, you will likely get your SIM to work. There are more details at the link above.

As WiFi Ranger notes, you can always use a MiFi (devices may go by other names) and run a USB to the Internal Router. Osprey has this provision. Of course, there is an associated cost of hardware, for this option.

I've found that typically WiFi Ranger is often willing to provide assistance.

[docj]

Originally Posted by MevetS

The "Unsupported" claim is an overstatement, but in fact, it's not exactly wrong, either. See attached screen shot.

However, I use a T-Mobile SIM (data only) and have run into minor setup problems. It's just that if you run into issues, WiFi Ranger will provide a direction in which to head. It's more of a hint, then an answer. If you persist, you will likely get your SIM to work. There are more details at the link above.

As WiFi Ranger notes, you can always use a MiFi (devices may go by other names) and run a USB to the Internal Router. Osprey has this provision. Of course, there is an associated cost of hardware, for this option.

I've found that typically WiFi Ranger is often willing to provide assistance.

Customer Support staff from WiFiRanger spend many hours each week helping customers get their cellular modems connected.

The statement on the WiFiRanger website is correct in that only Winegard FreedomGo data plans are guaranteed to work with WiFiRanger devices but many thousands of our customers are using alternative plans without difficulty.

[aarong]

Just a heads up, spent a few hours with Verizon. Updated the APN on the Ospry, checked all my settings. No service with Verizon that I could get working.

What was interesting was the SIM card never showed up in the Setup tab as recognized. So I think that was the root of the problem.

The AT&T SIM that came with it shows up fine, just not the Verizon SIM.

[docj]

Originally Posted by aarong

Just a heads up, spent a few hours with Verizon. Updated the APN on the Ospry, checked all my settings. No service with Verizon that I could get working.

What was interesting was the SIM card never showed up in the Setup tab as recognized. So I think that was the root of the problem.

The AT&T SIM that came with it shows up fine, just not the Verizon SIM.

With all due respect, the modem ought to be able to see the Verizon SIM with no problem. The modem doesn't know one SIM from another; they're all essentially alike except for the ICCID encoded into them.

I have no idea why your modem wasn't seeing the Verizon SIM; my guess is that the SIM itself was defective.

[BirchyBoy]

It’s great that there’s an alternative to the main Winegard router that has needed an update for a long time.

[docj]

Originally Posted by BirchyBoy

It’s great that there’s an alternative to the main Winegard router that has needed an update for a long time.

The Winegard Gateway router will continue to be sold as a lower, cost basic solution.

[aarong]

Originally Posted by docj

With all due respect, the modem ought to be able to see the Verizon SIM with no problem. The modem doesn't know one SIM from another; they're all essentially alike except for the ICCID encoded into them.

I have no idea why your modem wasn't seeing the Verizon SIM; my guess is that the SIM itself was defective.

Just a followup on this Verizon issue. I got a new SIM card and the WifiRanger Osprey did recognize the SIM card, with a recognized SIM ID number showing up in the setup screen for the cell modem.

However, after restarting the unit, I get a "Failed to register with Carrier!" message once it tries to connect.

I tried with the Verizon APN, and without, same result either way.

Osprey seemed to pickup the Verizon APN no problem. But wouldn't register.

I switched the setting in the cell modem to "My Data Plan" otherwise left settings as is.

Im going to cancel this Verizon data account and try a T-Mobile card and see what happens.

[aarong]

Got a T-Mobile SIM today and it works fine with the WifiRanger Osprey. Verizon did not work, just for anyone that might be wondering.

Thanks!