Forest River Wifi: How To Set Up RV Wifi Ranger (Sky4)
With technology advancing as it is, setting up your wifi system will depend on the type of service you want from the equipment. For example, if you want wifi only, you do not have to do very much. But if you want to add in cell phone service, then you have to make additional purchases.
You would have to watch the videos produced by the company to get the setup just right. They will have the images you need to see which makes understanding the instructions a lot easier. The roof unit on your RV is designed to handle wifi only.
To learn more about this system, just continue to read our article. It provides the best available information possible so you can set up your Ranger Sky 4 system to deliver the service you want. Take a few minutes to see how this information helps you out.
What Does it Mean If My RV is WiFi Ready?
All it means is that you have the correct wiring already installed behind the walls or between the ceiling and roof of your RV. All you have to do is fish out the wire connectors and attach them to your router or antenna.
The router and antenna have to be purchased separately as all RV makers do is supply the wires and put them in place. Or they are supposed to. Then, they will place stickers on the faceplates where the wires are so you can find them easily and make your connections.
The price you pay will be determined by the brand and system you decide is what you need to have in your RV. You can do the installation yourself or you can get a handyman or technician to do it for you. This decision is up to you to make.
What is a WiFi Ranger For RV?
The Wifi Ranger is wifi only system that is usually pre-wired into your REV. Its basic design and equipment are to pick up wifi signals only. This is a wireless system provides a wireless repeater function that allows your devices to connect to a common SSID while it connects to an external wireless signal
The quality of the signal depends on your location, distance from the campsite, and other factors. Unfortunately, the system cannot improve on any campground’s poor wireless signal already established in those parking areas.
What that means is that the quality of picture or streaming you get depends on the campground and not the Ranger system itself. Some people have complained about low quality but they should be making their complaints to the campground office, not the company producing the Ranger system
How Does RV WiFi Ranger Work?
According to the FAQ section on the Ranger website, all of their systems are designed to be basic and plug-and-play models. You just set it up, plug in the power supply and connect.
There are advanced features for those internet users who have advanced skills but those features, according to the company are hidden away and not seen unless you want to use them.
There is an onscreen control panel to help you set up the device and this control panel works with a PC, laptop, phone, or notebook. Just follow the instructions to get the system up and going.
Plus, there is no additional hardware or software to install or buy. The control panel is designed to work with different browsers as well as different operating systems including MAC and Linux.
If you follow the instructions you should have the Ranger up and working in no time.
How To Set up RV WiFi Ranger
There seems to be a 5 step process to set up your Ranger. The first step is to look for switching your RV labeled as WifiRanger Sky4. Just turn that on and wait a couple of minutes while the Ranger connects to a signal.
The second step is to go to the wireless connect box and find the Pvt.WiFiRanger_Sky4... and you should have a unique 4 digit code replacing those dots. Enter your password and visit 10.1XX.YY.1:8080. Finally, scan and connect.
You will see at the following link a pop-up box that has several tabs on the top. There is one for set-up and click on that and follow the instructions on how to completely set up the system. Click on this link to get the complete instructions.
The company also has some training videos on their website. It is best to click on this link as images make understanding the setup system a lot easier.
Sky4 WiFi Ranger
First off, it must be mentioned that WifiRanger Sky4 is now owned by the Winegard company. This is supposed to be a step up and provide better quality equipment and service to its customers.
The Sky4 system is supposed to be a wireless solution when many campgrounds refuse to pay for quality wifi signals for their customers. The company has a variety of products to choose from and you can tailor your equipment to fit your wifi or cell phone needs.
According to our research, you will need to install additional equipment if you want the Sky4 system to handle cell phone signals as well. To do that you would probably have to pay an additional $200 to get the right LTE modem for this additional service.
A SIM card will also be needed to make the proper connection and to have the best service possible.
Ranger WiFi Booster
If you go to the Ranger website, you will find that they offer a wide range of products to help boost your signal no matter where you are. There are indoor boosters, outdoor models, and combo packs to look through to see which one will [provide you with the right service for your location.
The cost of these boosters ranges from as little as $100 and goes up to $400 for the indoor models. There are 4 options to choose from with the most expensive getting the most power and range.
The outdoor boosters have 3 models to choose from and their price tag goes $165, $365, and $565 you will get a comparable level of service for the amount of money you spend. The most expensive option has a 2-mile range.
The best the indoor models can do is 750 feet and all maximum range capabilities are achieved under ideal conditions and are not always available under lesser conditions.
WiFi Ranger Control Panel
This device is a browser-based system and it is supposed to work with a variety of browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and many more. You do not need to install any software to use the control panel to set up the Sky 4 system.
Plus, you can use a variety of electronic devices to connect to the control panel. Then, the Sky 4 is set up to work with different operating systems, including Apple, Android, Windows, and Linux to name a few.
Once you get to the control panel you just need to follow instructions found under each tab. There are a variety of tabs to look through to help you set up the system so you can use it on any device in your RV.
Additional equipment will need to be purchased and installed if you want to broaden the service the Sky 4 offers and include receiving and making phone calls through your mobile phone.
Download WiFi Ranger Sky4 Manual
The first place we will tell you to go is the company’s website. You should explore their web pages or contact them to get a hold of a downloadable manual. You can get to their support age by clicking this link.
This link takes you to a 33-page owner’s manual that you can download or print. Other websites we looked at told their readers to go to the previous website to do their downloading. That link goes to the company’s website.
That would be your best bet to get the complete manual without having to pay anything for it. Some websites do charge for providing different manuals. If you cannot use that link, do a quick search for a manual and you should get more results.
Unfortunately, they may all say the same thing and direct you to the company website.
Some Final Words
Wireless may be the way to go. That way you do not have to search for wires or be disappointed that there are no wires installed in an RV that is wifi prepped. The reports we read say that this is a good system, but your experience may differ.
Usually, the problem comes from the source of the signal, not the equipment receiving it. Check it out as it may be your best solution to date.
