WiFi Odd Behavior

Hi, Cheryl, welcome to the pain&agony club.  First things to check are:  (1)  on your handheld device (android, I don't know what apple's labels are), go to settings/wifi and make sure you are still connected (you didn't say if you're on MTH or a local wireless).  Sometimes the device will jump to another network.  (2) on the "speedometer" screen, click in the upper right corner and look at the loco list.  Has your loco jumped to inactive?

RJR posted:

Hi, Cheryl, welcome to the pain&agony club.  First things to check are:  (1)  on your handheld device (android, I don't know what apple's labels are), go to settings/wifi and make sure you are still connected (you didn't say if you're on MTH or a local wireless).  Sometimes the device will jump to another network.  (2) on the "speedometer" screen, click in the upper right corner and look at the loco list.  Has your loco jumped to inactive?

Ok, thanks for the suggestions, will check them out. 

One thing I should mention, is, I used all the same equipment on my layout at home and did not have any of these issues.  My last ditch solution will be to run new wire from the layout, blechhhhh. 

Cheryl, I would recommend against doing anything at this time, since there is an update to both the firmware and the app.  I have 2 wifi's and 25 locos, and essentially have set the stuff aside unless I am asked by someone to try something.  

If you have the same equipment at both locations, I'd lean towards some networking problem.

Robert,

Unfortunately, Cheryl doesn't have the luxury of waiting for a corrected app. Her shop is participating in MTH's National DCS WiFi Day on January 23rd. She needs to be able to demo the app effectively.

As a crabby old man, my reaction is that MTH ought to better beta test devices before issuance.  It's MTH's problem, not Cheryl's if the stuff doesn't work\, although it could cost her sales.  I don't see rewiring as doing anything to improve the wifi.

Robert,

As a crabby old man...

Yes,  I can agree with that!  

So does Mrs RJR.

I'd be glad to help Cheryl to the extent I can from this distance, outside-the-forum.  I strongly recommend what I suggested above. 

Would need  more info on the details of her setup.  I don't claim to be a wifiguru, but with 25 locos, 6 TIU channels, 2 TIUs and 2 wifis, I can surface most any issue.

RJR posted:

As a crabby old man, my reaction is that MTH ought to better beta test devices before issuance.  It's MTH's problem, not Cheryl's if the stuff doesn't work\, although it could cost her sales.  I don't see rewiring as doing anything to improve the wifi.

Hi RJR, I have had a number of problems with DCS, as well as TMCC and Legacy. My first reaction has always been blame that dame manufacture, until I figured out what I was doing wrong that is.

Ok guys, I have it working using a different tablet.  I am off for the weekend but will be doing some more running starting next Tuesday.  I will be exercising the system further at the time.  My phone is a Samsung Galaxy Prime on the Sprint System, not sure if that matters.  The tablet is just bare bones with wifi capability.  The tablet is what I plan to use primarily for demo, but if a customer wants to use their own device, who knows?

At this time, I'll be watching for the update and hope everything behaves through next weekend. 

Cheryl,

but if a customer wants to use their own device, who knows?

Let's hope that they have an iPhone or iPad.

Hi Cheryl, if it works with one tablet and not the other I suspect the signal of the tablet in question. Could the problem be the location of your WIU.

I  had some connection issue with my remote units and I had to get my TIU out from under the layout and placed in a hidden location above the platform.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Cheryl,

but if a customer wants to use their own device, who knows?

Let's hope that they have an iPhone or iPad.

I have the I phone with no reception problem.

GG1man: I don't have any experience with Lionel electronics; I'm strictly DCS.  But your analysis is correct.  Problem with the wifi is that there still some rough edges in the firmware and the app, so it's difficult to tell whether they or the operator are to blame.  Just as layouts differ electronically, now there is introduced the vagaries of networking.

Chreyl, I am using 2 Samsung Galaxy Sprint phones, an SIII & an S6, and a Samsung wifi Note 10.1 tablet.  Are you using the MTH or home setting on the wifi unit?  You really have to be working at the layout where you want to run well.

If you're using MTH, I still lean towards your Galxy jumping to another network.  If so, to get the wifiday demo working, I'd say try deleting that other network from the list of wifi netweoks under settings/wifi, and unchecking any "connect automativcally" boxed for networks other than MTH.

GGMan:  device-WIU connection differs from remote-TIU comms.   Having said that, I would agree she should have the WIU on top, in plain sight, so customers can oogle it.  II don't think range of devices is the cause of Cheryl's problem:  I find that of my 3 different devices, one is more prone to jump networks when I'm using MTH network, but they can all communicate with my home network from anywhere in my house or its environs.  .

The network it may jump to is the store network and the key is gi-normous and don't want to have to keep changing that.  For intents and purposes that's not an option.  I have another tablet, and the wiu is semi hidden but not out of reach so if necessary it can be revealed.  Most customers will not be signed in to the store so "jumping to another wifi" shouldn't be an issue.  Will keep poking it, and see what happens, thanks for all the input and ideas.  Will keep everyone up to date on any significant events

RJR posted:

So does Mrs RJR.

I'd be glad to help Cheryl to the extent I can from this distance, outside-the-forum.  I strongly recommend what I suggested above. 

Would need  more info on the details of her setup.  I don't claim to be a wifiguru, but with 25 locos, 6 TIU channels, 2 TIUs and 2 wifis, I can surface most any issue.

 

Will post here if any more issues, checked your profile to send email, no addy.  You can reach me at the store flint at riders dot com.  Thanks for helping.

Guys.

Cheryl stated she is using the free app.  What about the $4.95 app? Is there a difference?

Hi Cheryl:

From Rayman4449 - A You Tube Channel

”He Is a Fully Authorized Dealer and Service Center"

He has a You Tube Video Channel, six detailed videos on MTH / DCS and this one on how to operate your trains with the MTH - WiFi

He welcomes phone calls. He post his web page in this video. Go to his web page to find his phone number. He would be glad to help out a fellow dealer.

I hope you find this video helpful, it is all about what your customers want to see on WiFi Days.

Gary: Good Luck - Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway