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03-21-2014, 08:37 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 116
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WiFiRanger Antenna Replacement
I am considering changing the antenna on my WiFiRanger MobileTi to a Engenius Outdoor Hi Gain 8dBi Omni Antenna EAG-2408. I have two questions:1) If I have the unit with this antenna mounted vertically on my batwing antenna, will the narrow antenna radiation pattern be a problem for me trying to communicate with the thing from inside the RV underneath the antenna, and 2) what is the black tape type stuff that the wrap around the connector to weatherproof it - it doesn't look like heatshrink tubing but it does appear to be wrapped and then shrunk somehow?
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Dave & Lynne - Retired & livin' the dream. '04 Bounder W32 on Workhorse W20 chassis powered by GM 8.1L. Visited all 50 states during first 5 years of retirement.
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03-21-2014, 10:20 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 8,305
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It's difficult to tell from your post how your system is configured. I'm assuming you have a MobileTi without an indoor Go2 router? I find it difficult to believe that the beam pattern from the Engenius is so tight that there wouldn't be sufficient RF field inside the coach to connect to the devices in your network. I'll check with the technical staff to make sure this is the case.
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Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
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03-22-2014, 07:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2011
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I spoke to the technical staff and they agree that the "fringing field" will provide more than enough signal for your devices to connect to. You should note, however, that removal of the antenna and the "goop" that seals its connection to the MobileTi will void your lifetime warranty. Getting water into that connection would not be good for the system.
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Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
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03-22-2014, 07:31 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,549
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I replaced the original WiFi Ranger antenna with an Engenius Outdoor Hi Gain 8dBi Omni Antenna EAG-2408, and it works great. A little silicone sealer and tape, and you're in business.
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Joe and Debbie, Emma the Aussie Cattle Dog who adopted us
2012 Discovery 36J, Blue Ox and Air Force One, 2010 GMC Acadia Toad
USAF (Ret) WDØM https://wd0m.com
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03-22-2014, 07:48 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pagosajoe
I replaced the original WiFi Ranger antenna with an Engenius Outdoor Hi Gain 8dBi Omni Antenna EAG-2408, and it works great. A little silicone sealer and tape, and you're in business.
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I wasn't disagreeing with the OP (or you) doing it, I was simply pointing out that doing so voids the warranty. If you are careful sealing the connection there probably won't be any issues, but WiFiRanger can't be responsible for how well customers do this.
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Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
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03-22-2014, 03:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Coax-Seal is one such 'tape' used to waterproof connectors. The radiation pattern of the. 8db antenna should work ok.
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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03-22-2014, 05:20 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 116
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Thanks for the responses. Yes the unit is stand-alone without an indoor unit supporting it. I agree that sealing up the connection is critical thats why I asked what the product was that the OEM put on it. I was really disappointed that the high-gain antenna "Marine" version of the WiFiRanger mobile had been discontinued when I went to order it. Will the factory replace the antenna for me and retain the warranty if I send them the parts? I haven't installed the unit yet.
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Dave & Lynne - Retired & livin' the dream. '04 Bounder W32 on Workhorse W20 chassis powered by GM 8.1L. Visited all 50 states during first 5 years of retirement.
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03-22-2014, 08:55 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Official iRV2 Sponsor
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The Mobile with Marine antenna was never intended for RV use; it would not have withstood the RV environment and that was stated in the on-line description of the product.
WiFiRanger markets a line of products that we believe meet the needs of most RVers. Owners of WiFiRanger products are free to modify them to meet their specific needs but the company does not engage in custom modifications of its standard product line.
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Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
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03-26-2014, 07:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Fulltimer
Posts: 186
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As others have said, it is no problem with reception. The beam radials will cover your area without an issue. I have used this setup since the Bullets have been available.
Coax seal will solve the junction issue. You just have to be careful to support the bullet properly. Stress of the antenna on the joint can cause failure. Having the antenna unsupported in a horizontal position while going down the road is likely to induce a problem.
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Jack and Danielle Mayer
2015 New Horizons Majestic 44RLTSS/ Volvo 780
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03-28-2014, 08:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 116
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Ahh so that's the problem. The antenna that comes with the WiFiRanger is mounted directly to the aluminum frame but the EAG2408 does not provide the same mounting provision? Yes that would be a show stopper unless the whole assembly is redone since I plan to mount the system to my batwing antenna where it would be deplyed vertically but stowed horizontally. Thanks for the heads-up on this.
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Dave & Lynne - Retired & livin' the dream. '04 Bounder W32 on Workhorse W20 chassis powered by GM 8.1L. Visited all 50 states during first 5 years of retirement.
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