Base 3 keeps disconnecting from tablet, and now tablet cannot connect at all

Also, the app keeps crashing, I get a big long notice called "Crash Report".  Again, cycling the power and re-opening the app would solve, but it happens every 5-10 minutes!

Mine use to crash 3 or 4 times before connecting until I gave both the tablet (android Fire 7) and Base3 Static IP addresses.  Now it crashes about every other boot using the Cab3 app before connecting and staying connected.  I also use Channel 5... you may want to test channels 5 through 9 and see if those channels experience less interference/connectivity issues.

I primarily use Cab1-L and Cab2 with the Base3 and there are no connection issues.  I'm also noticing that the Base3 has a somewhat smoother and more refined operation than the Base2.

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

I'm also noticing that the Base3 has a somewhat smoother and more refined operation than the Base2.

First mention of this, can you expand on this a little?  What does "more refined" mean?

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

Mine use to crash 3 or 4 times before connecting until I gave both the tablet (android Fire 7) and Base3 Static IP addresses.  Now it crashes about every other boot using the Cab3 app before connecting and staying connected.  I also use Channel 5... you may want to test channels 5 through 9 and see if those channels experience less interference/connectivity issues.

Dennis, thanks for the help.  Can you explain how to set up static IPs?  I tried but I failed, LOL.  Lionel's website says to use the Base 3 Utility but that is not available yet, right?   Also, I thought the channels were just for CAB 1L and CAB2's?  I have neither, I want to run strictly on CAB 3.

I do not know what router you are using... that's where you assign the Static IP.  Access it from your browser 192.168.xxx.xxx whatever the admin IP is for the router.  You need to know the MAC address of the Base3.

The MAC address looks like this:  00:21:7E:7A:6D:F7  or, it could be displayed like this 00217E7A6DF7 either is correct.  Assign an IP to that MAC address.  The IP should be something like 192.168.1.111 (The Base3 out-of-the-box IP is 192.168.111.1).

Base3...

The following table lists the standard 2.4GHz channel frequencies. If you know the frequency of a device you think may be in conflict with the Base3’s Wi-Fi, use the table to choose which frequency may best solve the interference issue.  The Base3 is set to Channel 1 out of the box.  The LEAST DESIRABLE FREQUNCIES ARE 1 through 4

It wouldn't hurt to add a 12dbi antenna to the Base3

TMCC Frequency List

You can also change the TMCC remote channel to help alleviate interference issues. When the Base3 is in “ACCESS POINT” mode, the Wi-Fi channel will automatically be changed to whichever channel best operates with the TMCC remote channel. When the Base3 is in “JOIN to NETWORK” mode, the Wi-Fi channel must be changed manually.

The following table lists the TMCC remote channel frequencies in the Base3. Use this as a guide to select the best channel if you are experiencing interference issues.

I wish there was a generic answer for setting a Static IP, but there is not a 'standard" menu todo this.  First understand the terminology and process.

Static IP means an IP number/address assigned to the internet device.  For home/local networks it is usually 192.168.xx.xxx.    Each internet hardware device has a UNIQUE MAC address given to it.  This MAC address is used when setting the Static IP address for network connections.   Cell phone, printer, PC, even my new washing machine has a unique MAC address for connecting wirelessly to the network.

Every time a WIFI item connects to the home internet, the router assigns and IP adress,192.168.xx.xxx.    The last three numbers are assigned randomly unless the Static IP or permanent IP address has been set in the router.

I have set all my WIFI based printers with static IP addresses.   Without this they have to be re-installed on the computer almost everytime you restart the printer.  The printer software on the PC looks at a set IP address to find the printer in most cases.

A Static IP address for the base3 appears to be helpful in keeping the app connected.

On your home network, setting a Static IP address is done in the WIFI router settings usually.   I wish I could explain how, but EVERY router has a different menu and terminology for this.    You will have to dig through documentation or invite a tech savy friend over to help.

Update, Checking my Base3, the Mac Address is not listed on the labels.  You have to trach that down via the router once connected to the router.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

First mention of this, can you expand on this a little?  What does "more refined" mean?

It seems... especially, with the older TMCC locos ...that the whistles sound much better, they crawl a little better and accelerate and decelerate a little smoother.   I notice this with the Legacy Locos as well... it's negligible with the Legacy ...but, noticeable.

Router Admin Page... these ALL have static IPs (Manual=Static) that I assigned to these devices from the Router's Admin Page.

@VHubbard posted:

I wish there was a generic answer for setting a Static IP, but there is not a 'standard" menu todo this.  First understand the terminology and process.

Static IP means an IP number/address assigned to the internet device.  For home/local networks it is usually 192.168.xx.xxx.    Each internet hardware device has a UNIQUE MAC address given to it.  This MAC address is used when setting the Static IP address for network connections.   Cell phone, printer, PC, even my new washing machine has a unique MAC address for connecting wirelessly to the network.

Every time a WIFI item connects to the home internet, the router assigns and IP adress,192.168.xx.xxx.    The last three numbers are assigned randomly unless the Static IP or permanent IP address has been set in the router.

I have set all my WIFI based printers with static IP addresses.   Without this they have to be re-installed on the computer almost everytime you restart the printer.  The printer software on the PC looks at a set IP address to find the printer in most cases.

A Static IP address for the base3 appears to be helpful in keeping the app connected.

On your home network, setting a Static IP address is done in the WIFI router settings usually.   I wish I could explain how, but EVERY router has a different menu and terminology for this.    You will have to dig through documentation or invite a tech savy friend over to help.

Update, Checking my Base3, the Mac Address is not listed on the labels.  You have to trach that down via the router once connected to the router.

Don't most routers have a "lease" time that holds the IP address for X amount of time that the router assigns to that device?  Seems unlikely that folks wouldn't be using there devices in that amount of time as some of those leases can be long if setup that way.

@MartyE posted:

Don't most routers have a "lease" time that holds the IP address for X amount of time that the router assigns to that device?  Seems unlikely that folks wouldn't be using there devices in that amount of time as some of those leases can be long if setup that way.

Marty,  The short answer is yes.  The long answer is it's dependent on each individual manufacturer's router, and model.   If your system is working fine using the Base3 as an Access Point or connected to your home network 'without' a Static IP... GREAT!!!  Don't try to fix what ain't broke!  I would encourage folks to change the Channel to 5 or greater... 1-4 can get a little messy with a variety of interference's from all sorts of household items and especially metal studs in the walls.

Almost forgot!  The easy way to find the MAC address is to first assign the Static IP address in Cab3.  In the Cab3 WiFi Connection Settings select Manually Enter (it will be BLANK) and enter the Static IP... in this case 192.168.1.111 and HIT SET.

ORIGINALLY, Auto Detect had 192.168.111.1 the originally shipped IP address.   Once Changed the Originally shipped IP will now appear in the Manually Enter space... and the NEW IP will appear in the Auto Detect space.

Your Router will now Display the Base3 with the IP address as 192.168.1.111 and WITH the Base3 MAC: address.