Aspen WifiRanger Indoor Router Questions

[astrocamper]

I bought the Poplar WifiRanger to test that it will support my iPhone tethered for Celllular data. I also tested and can connect to my GMC2500 ATT LTE service while in the trailer. Both work fine and can load share.

When will the Aspen version be available again? I would have ordered it but it was out of stock. I would prefer it for the 1 Gig Ethernet and the dual radios.

The Aspen has both 2.4 and 5 radioes. If the 2.4 is being used to connect to my trucks LTE hotspot can I connect to the 5 Ghz radio will in my trailer and have better performance since the 2.4 radio won't have to function as a wireless client and wireless access point at the same time?

Does the Aspen processor improve the performance of the web interface and the time to save and change configurations?

Once the Aspen is shipping I will install it in my trailer and move the Poplar to the house for the times when I need to fail back to cellular data at the house. I can connect it to my home's Unify USG-Pro-4 router on the 2nd wan interface.

[docj]

Originally Posted by astrocamper

When will the Aspen version be available again? I would have ordered it but it was out of stock. I would prefer it for the 1 Gig Ethernet and the dual radios.

The supply of both Aspen and Spruce routers have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. We fully expect to have Aspens back in stock by the end of June.

The Aspen has both 2.4 and 5 radioes. If the 2.4 is being used to connect to my trucks LTE hotspot can I connect to the 5 Ghz radio will in my trailer and have better performance since the 2.4 radio won't have to function as a wireless client and wireless access point at the same time?

Yes you can configure your system as you describe and that is the most effective way to use it.

Does the Aspen processor improve the performance of the web interface and the time to save and change configurations?

Yes, the improved speed of the Aspen's processor will improve the router's response to commands.

Thanks for being a WiFiRanger customer.

Joel (AKA docj)

[astrocamper]

Thanks for the response. It looks like I will be able to use the Aspen effectively with the 2.4 and 5 Ghz radios. The 2.4 Ghz radio will be as a WIFI client for one of my Internet links and the 5 Ghz radio will be my WIFI access point.

I will repurpose the Poplar in my house for those times that my cable Internet goes offline.

[jcussen]

Docj, just ordered a mh with the wifiranger as standard equipment. Been using netgear 815 on the $20 ATT unlimited plan. Not sure how they work together, if they even can.

[docj]

Originally Posted by jcussen

Docj, just ordered a mh with the wifiranger as standard equipment. Been using netgear 815 on the $20 ATT unlimited plan. Not sure how they work together, if they even can.

Does your new MH have both a rooftop and indoor Ranger? Some manufacturers offer both other only offer the rooftop unit. Did you order either the rooftop (or indoor routers) with built-in modems?

Depending on your answers to these questions there are a variety of options open to you. If you want to use your Ranger as the "hub" of your internet activity, the easiest thing to do would be to connect your Netgear to the Ranger via Ethernet (assuming you have an inddor Ranger.)

Rather than me speculating without knowing what your setup is, please provide the asnwers to my questions and I can respond to those.

Joel (AKA docj)

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by docj

Does your new MH have both a rooftop and indoor Ranger? Some manufacturers offer both other only offer the rooftop unit. Did you order either the rooftop (or indoor routers) with built-in modems?

Depending on your answers to these questions there are a variety of options open to you. If you want to use your Ranger as the "hub" of your internet activity, the easiest thing to do would be to connect your Netgear to the Ranger via Ethernet (assuming you have an inddor Ranger.)

Rather than me speculating without knowing what your setup is, please provide the asnwers to my questions and I can respond to those.

Joel (AKA docj)

Thanks
Not much info from the manufacturer, it's a Tiffin Wayfarer and I get it next week. Will post when I get the info you need.

[astrocamper]

I have a Togo Connect C2 on the road of my trailer. I connected it using the Togo Ethernet jack to the Poplar WifiRouter in the trailer. It took me a little while to figure it out but it now works great. I am getting better performance using the WifiRouter as the access point for the trailer and the Togo as the Internet link to my house wifi.

I currently don't plan to activate the Togo cellular data but it works fine for a wifi data link. The Togo is unlocked and can be used by multiple carriers.

My plan now is to use my ATT LTE via my GMC 2500HD for primary cellular data when on the road and my 30 gig of Verizon hotspot data on my phone as backup. The Togo wifi claims to work up to 1.5 miles in a perfect world.

[docj]

Originally Posted by jcussen

Thanks
Not much info from the manufacturer, it's a Tiffin Wayfarer and I get it next week. Will post when I get the info you need.

FWIW the Tiffin website shows the Wayfarer as coming with a King WiFi booster not a WiFiRanger. Are you sure you're getting a Ranger?

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by docj

Does your new MH have both a rooftop and indoor Ranger? Some manufacturers offer both other only offer the rooftop unit. Did you order either the rooftop (or indoor routers) with built-in modems?

Depending on your answers to these questions there are a variety of options open to you. If you want to use your Ranger as the "hub" of your internet activity, the easiest thing to do would be to connect your Netgear to the Ranger via Ethernet (assuming you have an inddor Ranger.)

Rather than me speculating without knowing what your setup is, please provide the asnwers to my questions and I can respond to those.

Joel (AKA docj)

Joel, I have a pvt wifiranger sky4lte in the coach, and a box on the coach roof with a small dipole antenna. I can connect to the ranger, but do not have internet access. Do I need a cell sim to make it work, or can I just use it like a router picking up another wifi signal and broadcast it inside the coach?

[docj]

Originally Posted by jcussen

Joel, I have a pvt wifiranger sky4lte in the coach, and a box on the coach roof with a small dipole antenna. I can connect to the ranger, but do not have internet access. Do I need a cell sim to make it work, or can I just use it like a router picking up another wifi signal and broadcast it inside the coach?

I'm not exactly sure how you are describing your setup. The little rooftop box is the WiFiRanger SkyLTE. I assume you also probably have another small box inside the RV. Both boxes are complete routers; the inside one is called a Core.

As for why you don't have internet, you need to connect the Ranger to either an outside WiFi source such as you would find in an RV park or you need to put a SIM in the rooftop unit that can be activated with a cellular carrier. The Ranger can work in both modes.

You could also USB-tether a cellular hotspot to the indoor unit it and use the Ranger to re-broadcast its signal throughout your RV.

If you have other questions, feel free to ask them.

Joel (AKA docj)

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by docj

I'm not exactly sure how you are describing your setup. The little rooftop box is the WiFiRanger SkyLTE. I assume you also probably have another small box inside the RV. Both boxes are complete routers; the inside one is called a Core.

As for why you don't have internet, you need to connect the Ranger to either an outside WiFi source such as you would find in an RV park or you need to put a SIM in the rooftop unit that can be activated with a cellular carrier. The Ranger can work in both modes.

You could also USB-tether a cellular hotspot to the indoor unit it and use the Ranger to re-broadcast its signal throughout your RV.

If you have other questions, feel free to ask them.

Joel (AKA docj)

Yes, I have the box [core] inside the coach as well. It has control panel 10.120.22.1:8080 on it. It has 4 good sized wire going into it, maybe coax, and two small phone plug type sockets. Is there any way it can pick up a wifi signal from my router in the house wirelessly? or from my mobley netgear hotspot? It does not appear to have a usb port.

[docj]

Originally Posted by jcussen

Yes, I have the box [core] inside the coach as well. It has control panel 10.120.22.1:8080 on it. It has 4 good sized wire going into it, maybe coax, and two small phone plug type sockets. Is there any way it can pick up a wifi signal from my router in the house wirelessly? or from my mobley netgear hotspot? It does not appear to have a usb port.

Did you purchase this Ranger with a new RV? If so, didn't you get any literature about it from your dealer?

Here's a link to the Quick Start Guide that you should have received:

https://wifiranger.com/wp-content/up...tdocs_rev8.pdf

I've also attached a second document that explains how to activate a SIM in the LTE modem in the rooftop unit.

What you need'll to do after your read the Quick Start guide is power up the Ranger and look for its broadcast using your phone or laptop. It will probably have the word WiFiRanger in its name.

From what you've already told me about the Control Panel sticker, when you connect to the WiFi the default password should be :

changemenow2022

That will allow you to connect to the Ranger and to access its control panel. The control panel will be located at the URL shown on the sticker. Just open a browser window (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc) and enter that information on the address line at the top.

When you do that you will be presented with a the main page of the Control Panel that shows all the available WiFi signals that the Ranger sees. One of those should be the one from your home router. All you need to do is click on that one and provide your home password when prompted.

Once you are connected you can do things like go to the WiFi tab of the Control Panel and change the WiFi password.

Here's a link to a much more thorough user guide that is a bit more complex but which explains pretty much all the features of the Ranger:

https://wifiranger.com/wp-content/up...nual_Rev11.pdf

Lastly, there should be a USB port on the inside box. Try the side, not the back panel.

If you have additional questions you can post them or send them via PM. Or you can contact WiFiRanger customer service

Joel (AKA docj)

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by docj

Did you purchase this Ranger with a new RV? If so, didn't you get any literature about it from your dealer?

Here's a link to the Quick Start Guide that you should have received:

https://wifiranger.com/wp-content/up...tdocs_rev8.pdf

I've also attached a second document that explains how to activate a SIM in the LTE modem in the rooftop unit.

What you need'll to do after your read the Quick Start guide is power up the Ranger and look for its broadcast using your phone or laptop. It will probably have the word WiFiRanger in its name.

From what you've already told me about the Control Panel sticker, when you connect to the WiFi the default password should be :

changemenow2022

That will allow you to connect to the Ranger and to access its control panel. The control panel will be located at the URL shown on the sticker. Just open a browser window (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc) and enter that information on the address line at the top.

When you do that you will be presented with a the main page of the Control Panel that shows all the available WiFi signals that the Ranger sees. One of those should be the one from your home router. All you need to do is click on that one and provide your home password when prompted.

Once you are connected you can do things like go to the WiFi tab of the Control Panel and change the WiFi password.

Here's a link to a much more thorough user guide that is a bit more complex but which explains pretty much all the features of the Ranger:

https://wifiranger.com/wp-content/up...nual_Rev11.pdf

Lastly, there should be a USB port on the inside box. Try the side, not the back panel.

If you have additional questions you can post them or send them via PM. Or you can contact WiFiRanger customer service

Joel (AKA docj)

Thanks Joel. Nothing came with coach, you gave me the info I need.