2018 a122sesp wifi ranger

[sappiajk]

Hello,

When I enter my 2018 a122sesp there is a switch on the left that says WIFI ranger. I turned on the switch, but I don't see any new wifi signals. I don't see an antenna on the roof. Any one know how to use the wifi ranger in this model or is that switch just for show?

Thanks.

[whitexc]

We have something similar in our 27BHWS and it's a pain to use. I leave it up to my daughter to get it working and it doesn't very often so.....I'm following along here!

[bruc33ef]

You probably have v.3 hardware; the latest is v.4. They have an upgrade kit which you can purchase from the company. It's easy to install with just a screwdriver; I highly recommend.

That said, the operating procedure is the same. Follow the directions in:

https://wifiranger.com/wp-content/up...1-09152021.pdf

If you don't know your ID number, it is on a sticker pasted under the ledge of your microwave/stereo cabinet, just above the Dometic Coolcat control panel facing the sink. The instructions in brief are on the sticker.

[itat]

Originally Posted by bruc33ef

You probably have v.3 hardware; the latest is v.4. They have an upgrade kit which you can purchase from the company. It's easy to install with just a screwdriver; I highly recommend.

That said, the operating procedure is the same. Follow the directions in:

https://wifiranger.com/wp-content/up...1-09152021.pdf

If you don't know your ID number, it is on a sticker pasted under the ledge of your microwave/stereo cabinet, just above the Dometic Coolcat control panel facing the sink. The instructions in brief are on the sticker.

I’m not familiar with “version 3” or “version 4”. Do you mean “Sky3” and “Sky4”? My early 2019 Rockwood 5er has the Sky3 but the rubber cover on the single antenna came off so I’m considering the upgrade kit to the Sky4. If you’ve had both I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts on the differences. The Sky3 has been known to drop the connection regularly.

[sappiajk]

I have the Sky3, but I don't see any antenna other than the antenna that I assume is for the radio. I also don't see the SSID that is listed. I turn on the switch by the sticker and nothing happens. There is a black box on the roof near the back of the trailer. I saw in some video someone say that the box was the wifi ranger, but there is no way to access the box. There has to be something I am missing.

[itat]

My Sky3, sans the rubber cover on the antenna, looks like this. Sorry the photo keeps turning on it’s side.



The Sky4 looks the same but has 2 antennas.

[sappiajk]

I do not have any antenna like that on the top. That is why I am confused. Someone told me this black box was the antenna.

[itat]

I have never seen anything from WiFiRanger that looks like that flat, rectangular black box. I find with my Sky3 the wifi network does not become visible for several minutes after I power it up. It takes a long time to boot up. Did you wait 5-10 minutes to see if you can “see” the WiFiRanger network?

If you have questions about it, I would start with the dealer. If they can’t help, try contacting WiFiRanger Support directly at support@wifiranger.com. They’ve been responsive for me although they don’t always have a solution I’m thrilled about.

[sappiajk]

THanks. I waited hours and didn't see any signal. I have looked at pictures of other a122sesp and some don't have that black box. If it isn't the wifi, I have no clue what that box is and no clue where the ranger antenna would be.

[sappiajk]

Here is the video of a guy talking about the wifi booster:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSuFqeE-0Hg&t=308s

It is at 4:56 that he begins talking about it.

[itat]

We’ll, the fact that you have that switch with the WiFiRanger sticker suggests that your camper has or used to have a WiFiRanger router of some type. If you bought it used, it’s possible that the previous owner had trouble with it and chose to remove the hardware.

[sappiajk]

That is possible. I wrote to wifi ranger and they confirmed the black box had nothing to do with their system.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by sappiajk

I do not have any antenna like that on the top. That is why I am confused. Someone told me this black box was the antenna.

The black box is a place holder for the Wifi Ranger. The WiFi Ranger is shipped in its own cardboard box, inside the camper for the dealer to install. My dealer asked me if I wanted the WiFi Ranger installed when I bought my 2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW. I said no, and the black box is still there on the back of the back roof. As is the switch for the WiFi Ranger mounted under the stereo. I never checked to see if the switch and/or wiring to the black box is live.

I still have the WiFi Ranger I can sell you for a modest fee plus shipping from Hertford, NC.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade

[bruc33ef]

Sky 4 is more stable w/o so much dropoff. It also works better with 4G and 5G mobile networks.

[itat]

Originally Posted by bruc33ef

Sky 4 is more stable w/o so much dropoff. It also works better with 4G and 5G mobile networks.

Thanks. I presume you’ve had both the Sky3 and Sky4 and have real world experience using both? I take their promotional claims with a grain of salt.

Without the add-on LTE board, the Sky series routers cannot connect directly to a cell network but they can connect to a hotspot.

[mac1_131]

..

[bruc33ef]

My rig came with a Sky3 which I upgraded to Sky4 from the kit myself. I used the Sky3 with a 4G hotspot on TMobile and then the Sky4 with that hotspot and now a 5G hotspot from Verizon. I can confirm that Sky4 does have much less dropoff and, subjectively, has a longer range on 4/5G. I've noticed the same on RV park wifi connections. One possibly confounding factor is that I run Linux on my pc which did not like Sky3 but does sync well with Sky4.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by bruc33ef

Sky 4 is more stable w/o so much dropoff. It also works better with 4G and 5G mobile networks.

To work with mobile networks assumes you also paid for the LTE upgrade.

[campingChris]

Fresh owner of an A122S.
I'm in Canada and never have camped with WiFi near the sites. We usually hotspot of the phone. I'm interested in the LTE feature, but need to see if Canadian carriers are supported.
What has me wondering is the placement at the back end of the trailer. I would presume it would have been better to have it on the front roof section, so when raised, it would actually have more range?!
I can hotspot multiple devices from my phone, so what would be the benefit of using this "range extender"?
Looking forward hearing some real world experiences.


Thanks.