Frequently Asked Questions

We send Quick Start Guides with all our products. They are also available for download on our website.

There are many things that you can hover over in the UI to get explanations. Our router products have context-sensitive help with “?” or “BOOK” icons on page titles to bring you relevant help. There is a 116 page + manual in the router products.

Our Cat 20 5G cellular products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier) but are limited to the sim cards/5G plans that We provide and have verified. All carrier networks are not fully completed and still transitioning across the globe. Please also recognize the limitation in distance for true 5G cellular on the water.

Our MBR550 router comes with a USB flash drive that needs to be plugged into the router’s left front (USB slot). The extra storage is required during Carrier Update processing. For ALL products, you need an ACTIVE INTERNET CONNECTION to something other than Cellular. That usually means WiFi unless you have another WAN/Internet source.

Our Routers have a page within Settings > Miscellaneous – found near the bottom under “Advanced Settings”. There is a hyperlink (a weblink) “click here” that accesses that.

This first presents the WiFi AP country and power settings, and below that section, it will start by “Checking for installed mobile data interfaces”. Then it will show a list of installed carrier firmware(s). There is a paragraph about that with a “Click here” link to check for available carrier updates. Click that link.

After that, it will come back with a line in GREEN telling you of success and presenting an updated list. If you get Radio Buttons (checkboxes) between installed and needed carrier firmware(s), you need to update. You do not have to update carrier drivers that you do not use. Most are named by the carrier. T-Mobile uses GENERIC. Some other carriers that do not have specifically named firmware updates may also use GENERIC.

From there, you are checking the boxes you need and click the “Update” button at the bottom of that section.

Prepaid / Third Party Sim providers may limit what you can do on the network (allow 3G, not 4G).

Our products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier). Our products take a 2FF size (Form Factor) Sim Card (usually given on a 1FF credit card sized card) that must already be activated, data only, and no E911 services provisioned on it. We are not a cell service provider, yet do provide various sim cards and competitive multi-carrier plans to help you stay connected and are tailored to the transient, seasonal, and/or high data boating community.

How you insert the sim card depends on the product, and there are usually labels on the product to help guide you. You want to insert the sim card per the instructions. You will want to enter the APN in settings in the product. You will also want to “Reset Interface” on Mobile Data 1 if you have just inserted or changed sim cards. Be patient and wait for approximately 5 minutes after resetting interface before expecting it to connect. You will want to click the Mobile Data 1 Interface in the middle of it and click OK to connect to the Internet with that interface. We hope and recommend that you have the cellular topside antenna installed and connected to the product. There should be a Sim Set Up instruction sheet with the device. 

WiFi Connections – The range that Wave WiFi equipment can connect to shore stations can vary greatly depending on the type of equipment and antenna positioning on board the vessel, as well as the configuration of the shoreside station. Both frequency and antenna height of Shoreside WiFi hot spots effect signal propagation. 5 GHz WiFi has less range because of its higher frequency (shorter wavelength), but it has better speed and less interference. 5 GHz is typically accessible for 1000’. With a longer wavelength, 2.4 GHz WiFi connects further than 5 GHz. It is typically accessible at 1 mile or less but with a good base hotspot 3-5 miles can sometimes be achieved. Speeds degrade based on signal strength for both frequencies so more distant connections are slower. A stronger signal has more bits that can be packed in the signal, which adds speed and increases the range of connectivity. While Wave WiFi systems have very sensitive receivers, connection distances will vary due to the quality and propagation characteristics of the shoreside station as well as the type of system, set up, and installation on board.

Cellular Connections – Wave WiFi cellular products can connect up to 20 miles offshore with the right antenna placement, etc but will vary from carrier to carrier, the topography, the cell tower height, and antenna beam direction all coming into play. Many have gotten further than that with Wave WiFi cellular products with all conditions perfect but distance and performance changes the further off you are at the fringe. Also some carriers in certain geographies focus their beams more on/inshore which limits what can be picked up near or off-shore on boats. Certainly mountainous areas, rock formations, and tree coverage can also limit signal between you and a tower. Our global multi-carrier sims help overcome some of these variables by providing more than one carrier option. Also the ability to use your phone further off than you otherwise could as a phone via wifi calling (if enabled on your phone), and/or VoiP communication such as skype or whatsapp adds quite a bit of benefit and value toward keeping you connected.

15 – 20 Feet above the water line is ideal for catching signals. Cellular antennas can be installed higher as the cell towers usually are higher up than WiFi systems.

Our Cat 20 5G cellular products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier) but are limited to the sim cards/5G plans that We provide and have verified. All carrier networks are not fully completed and still transitioning across the globe. Please also recognize the limitation in distance for true 5G cellular on the water.

Our products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier). Our products take a 2FF size (Form Factor) Sim Card (usually given on a 1FF credit card sized card) that must already be activated, data only, and no E911 services provisioned on it. We are not a cell service provider, yet do provide various sim cards and competitive multi-carrier plans to help you stay connected and are tailored to the transient, seasonal, and/or high data boating community.

Our Cat 20 5G cellular products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier) but are limited to the sim cards/5G plans that We provide and have verified. All carrier networks are not fully completed and still transitioning across the globe. Please also recognize the limitation in distance for true 5G cellular on the water.

Our products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier). Our products take a 2FF size (Form Factor) Sim Card (usually given on a 1FF credit card sized card) that must already be activated, data only, and no E911 services provisioned on it. We are not a cell service provider, yet do provide various sim cards and competitive multi-carrier plans to help you stay connected and are tailored to the transient, seasonal, and/or high data boating community.

Note: On some systems that are accessed remotely over the Internet, port forwarding is not needed. They make an outbound connection to “The Cloud” – to servers of their manufacturer, and by doing so, allow the incoming connection. Usually, incoming connections cannot pass the NAT boundary between Public IP and Private IP. Routers do not know which computer or device should receive traffic. Thus, Port Forwarding.

Our Router products already have Port Forwarding in: Settings > Port Forwarding. 

Note: Description is whatever you want to call it. Ports: Public is the port(s) accessed from the Internet (outside the boat). Ports: Private is the port or ports range (inside the boat) (usually the same as Public) of your device or system needing remote access. The protocol is the TCP/IP protocol (TCP, UDP, or BOTH). IP: is the inside IP Address of your device or system needing remote access. Usually, the IP is 192.168.101.X or 192.168.105.X depending on whether this device is on Router Ethernet Port #1 (blue port, aka Main LAN) or Port #5 (far left yellow port, aka Guest LAN). The AP – WiFi Access Point of the Router is configured (in Local APs) linked to Router Ethernet Port #1. So, a device on WiFi would be forwarded to as if it were on Ethernet Port #1. It is possible to Port Forward from a WiFi Receiver to the router and then forward to your device or system. We have an instruction document on how to do this.

A captive portal is a web page displayed to newly connected users of a WiFi network. It requires some sort of interaction before granting access to network resources. In other words – if you want to connect to a network that runs that, you need to go through a captive portal first.

Captive portals present a landing or log-in page, which may require credentials or other agreements acknowledged to gain Internet access.

Wave WiFi receivers usually detect Captive Portal and display means to open the required page. If that doesn’t work, you might have to get creative to force that page to appear.

1. You can try just opening another tab in your browser and try to go to any web page. That might kick off the Captive Portal web page.
2. Try looking in the Settings page, in your Wave WiFi receiver, for “Current Connection:” and within that find “Gateway:”. Open a new tab and try to go to http://<gateway ip>, where gateway ip is that IP next to Gateway.
3. Try making sure any HTTPS tabs/pages are closed. Close your email program or any other Internet using software as they might use HTTPS type connections. Try opening an “HTTP://” website. (This might be hard to do these days as even Google and Yahoo re-direct you to HTTPS for their websites.) Try this one: http://neverssl.com/ – it is meant for this purpose.
4. Contact Marina Office and ask if there is a specific sign-on URL (web address) that you can use to sign in.
5. Check your browser settings for things that prevent re-directs or pop-ups from being displayed.

If you are attempting to connect to a Marina (Public) Hotspot and you get:

Connected to network: YES

IP obtained: YES

Internet detected: NO

But you don’t get a Captive Portal indication. Check on the Settings page to see if STATIC IP got turned on. Using a STATIC IP can cause connectivity problems. We want new current IP settings, by DHCP, from the current Hotspot. Otherwise, the connection gets broken. We can’t get to the Internet FROM an IP that is not valid for this Hotspot.

Turn that toggle switch back to OFF, click the “Change Settings” button, and then recheck the Current Connection information. I should populate with settings obtained from the Hotspot. Check on the Scan page if it now indicates connected. You might have to disconnect and re-connect again. But you should get connected and online.

No, you would not connect to your wireless router. That would make a circle – looping you back to your network, without any Internet access, and causing other networking problems. Newer Wave WiFi products, the firmware, has a feature allowing you to “Ignore” such access points and routers – to take them off the scan page and prevent you from attempting to connect to them.

You are generally looking for Public WiFi. The only exceptions will be if you know what you are connecting to – such as someone else’s boat that has allowed you or a Personal Hotspot that you own. You would not connect to your boat name and should not connect to things that are not public. Connecting to someone’s HP Printer would not get you Internet access.

In general, you can leave the product(s) ON all the time; however, keep in mind that prolonged use could drain the battery if connected to DC 12-Volt power (boat or RV battery). 

1. Save the bin file attached in the email to your computer in a known location like the download folder or on your desktop if it’s a laptop. Note: The file will not open up.

2. Connect to the router either wirelessly or with an ethernet cable in the blue port.

3. Type into your web browser 192.168.101.1 for the router or 192.168.89.1 for the wifi receiver and then hit enter.

4. From the left menu click Settings > Miscellaneous Tab (for router) > scroll down and click the “Up arrow” in the firmware section to find the file on your laptop or device.

5. Click on the file to upload onto the device and then Click the diskette icon next to the up arrow to begin the uploading/flashing process.

6. Once complete the new firmware version will show on the bottom right of the page.

If you get a “Firmware Update Available” message on the banner, follow these steps:

1. Tap on “click here” to go to the Firmware Update section of the Settings page.

2. Tap the Circle Checkmark icon to check for available updates.

3. When the Floppy Disk icon appears, tap it to begin the update.

4. Within a few minutes, your device should automatically reboot with the firmware successfully updated.

1. From the email, you must tap on the file to retrieve it.

2. Then tap on the file (still in the email message)

3. Tap on the SHARE up arrow thing in the upper right.

4. Scroll down and choose “Save to Files”.

5. Click SAVE in the upper right. (Or you can choose the Downloads folder.)

6. If you did not choose Downloads, it would be in the MAIN folder of ON MY IPAD; otherwise, it will be in DOWNLOADS.

You should be able to select that file …  then … from the Settings > Upgrade firmware > Icon with Computer/Up arrow above it.

We send Quick Start Guides with all our products. They are also available for download on our website.

There are many things that you can hover over in the UI to get explanations. Our router products have context-sensitive help with “?” or “BOOK” icons on page titles to bring you relevant help. There is a 116 page + manual in the router products.

An RMA is a Return Material Authorization. Any product returned to Wave WiFi needs to have an RMA # issued. For an RMA to be issued, some troubleshooting needs to be done to determine if resolvable onboard or if the product needs to come in for repair or other corrections. Please contact our support team by email or by phone.

https://www.wavewifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/RMA-Return-Merchandise-Authorization.pdf

https://www.wavewifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Return-Merchandise-Authorization.pdf

When our products are connected to the Internet, we provide a Push Notification on the Banner at the top of the page if your firmware is not current and eligible for an update. Click the “click here” within the notification and follow the instructions.

You can also email support@wavewifi.com with your Serial # and current Firmware version if you cannot get on the internet and do not receive the push notification. Serial numbers and Firmware versions are on the Settings page (Routers Settings > Miscellaneous) and the Bottom Right.

There should be a Quick Start setup sheet with a Yacht AP DB.

There two most essential aspects of the Yacht AP DB are as follows:

1. Use the supplied 24v adapter to power it. Do not use that adapter for any other Wave WiFi products.
2. The PoE adapter connection is labeled for Ethernet ports. The port labeled “POE” takes the CAT5 going towards the Yacht AP DB unit itself, the port labeled “LAN” takes the CAT5 going towards your router (or WiFi Receivers Ethernet connection.)

For our routers, that LAN side will likely connect to Port 1 “Main LAN” or Port 5 “Guest LAN”. The Guest LAN, by default, does not allow access to the router UI for security purposes. You can change the settings by going to the check box in Settings > Network Settings > Guest LAN > “Guest LAN:  Use as guest LAN port”. If you uncheck this, then Port 5 is just another LAN (with 192.168.105.X network range).

How do you connect it directly to a Wave WiFi Receiver if the only two devices are involved (no router or LAN switch hub)?

On a Wave WiFi Receiver with no PoE adapter (power is 4-pin DC power), the CAT 5 from the WiFi Receiver can connect directly to the “LAN” side of the Yacht AP DB’s PoE. The Yacht AP itself plugs into the “POE” side of the PoE block. Power is supplied to the Yacht AP. The Yacht AP will get IP settings (DHCP) from the WiFi Receiver and will show up on the Scan Page of the receiver. With Rogue products or Tidal Wave with a PoE Y cable, the rigid CAT5 plug on the y side of that PoE will plug directly into the “LAN” side of the Yacht AP DB’s PoE.

Yacht AP DB is a DHCP Client, which differs from our other products, which are DHCP Servers. For the Yacht AP DB to work and be manageable, it must get IP settings from *something* that is a DHCP Server. Yacht AP DB’s are detected by our router products and show up under “Local Aps” on the router menu. They then become manageable by clicking on their “Manage” button. That is how they get configured. This differs from built-in APs (Radio 0 or Radio 0 / Radio 1), which are directly configurable within the Local APs page.

1. Save the bin file attached in the email to your computer in a known location like the download folder or on your desktop if it’s a laptop. Note: The file will not open up.

2. Connect to the router either wirelessly or with an ethernet cable in the blue port.

3. Type into your web browser 192.168.101.1 for the router or 192.168.89.1 for the wifi receiver and then hit enter.

4. From the left menu click Settings > Miscellaneous Tab (for router) > scroll down and click the “Up arrow” in the firmware section to find the file on your laptop or device.

5. Click on the file to upload onto the device and then Click the diskette icon next to the up arrow to begin the uploading/flashing process.

6. Once complete the new firmware version will show on the bottom right of the page.

If you get a “Firmware Update Available” message on the banner, follow these steps:

1. Tap on “click here” to go to the Firmware Update section of the Settings page.

2. Tap the Circle Checkmark icon to check for available updates.

3. When the Floppy Disk icon appears, tap it to begin the update.

4. Within a few minutes, your device should automatically reboot with the firmware successfully updated.

Our Cat 20 5G cellular products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier) but are limited to the sim cards/5G plans that We provide and have verified. All carrier networks are not fully completed and still transitioning across the globe. Please also recognize the limitation in distance for true 5G cellular on the water.

1. From the email, you must tap on the file to retrieve it.

2. Then tap on the file (still in the email message)

3. Tap on the SHARE up arrow thing in the upper right.

4. Scroll down and choose “Save to Files”.

5. Click SAVE in the upper right. (Or you can choose the Downloads folder.)

6. If you did not choose Downloads, it would be in the MAIN folder of ON MY IPAD; otherwise, it will be in DOWNLOADS.

You should be able to select that file …  then … from the Settings > Upgrade firmware > Icon with Computer/Up arrow above it.

We send Quick Start Guides with all our products. They are also available for download on our website.

There are many things that you can hover over in the UI to get explanations. Our router products have context-sensitive help with “?” or “BOOK” icons on page titles to bring you relevant help. There is a 116 page + manual in the router products.

When our products are connected to the Internet, we provide a Push Notification on the Banner at the top of the page if your firmware is not current and eligible for an update. Click the “click here” within the notification and follow the instructions.

You can also email support@wavewifi.com with your Serial # and current Firmware version if you cannot get on the internet and do not receive the push notification. Serial numbers and Firmware versions are on the Settings page (Routers Settings > Miscellaneous) and the Bottom Right.

Our products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier). Our products take a 2FF size (Form Factor) Sim Card (usually given on a 1FF credit card sized card) that must already be activated, data only, and no E911 services provisioned on it. We are not a cell service provider, yet do provide various sim cards and competitive multi-carrier plans to help you stay connected and are tailored to the transient, seasonal, and/or high data boating community.

No, you do not need to register your unit for it to work. It is truly “Plug and Play”.

How you insert the sim card depends on the product, and there are usually labels on the product to help guide you. You want to insert the sim card per the instructions. You will want to enter the APN in settings in the product. You will also want to “Reset Interface” on Mobile Data 1 if you have just inserted or changed sim cards. Be patient and wait for approximately 5 minutes after resetting interface before expecting it to connect. You will want to click the Mobile Data 1 Interface in the middle of it and click OK to connect to the Internet with that interface. We hope and recommend that you have the cellular topside antenna installed and connected to the product. There should be a Sim Set Up instruction sheet with the device. 

WiFi Connections – The range that Wave WiFi equipment can connect to shore stations can vary greatly depending on the type of equipment and antenna positioning on board the vessel, as well as the configuration of the shoreside station. Both frequency and antenna height of Shoreside WiFi hot spots effect signal propagation. 5 GHz WiFi has less range because of its higher frequency (shorter wavelength), but it has better speed and less interference. 5 GHz is typically accessible for 1000’. With a longer wavelength, 2.4 GHz WiFi connects further than 5 GHz. It is typically accessible at 1 mile or less but with a good base hotspot 3-5 miles can sometimes be achieved. Speeds degrade based on signal strength for both frequencies so more distant connections are slower. A stronger signal has more bits that can be packed in the signal, which adds speed and increases the range of connectivity. While Wave WiFi systems have very sensitive receivers, connection distances will vary due to the quality and propagation characteristics of the shoreside station as well as the type of system, set up, and installation on board.

Cellular Connections – Wave WiFi cellular products can connect up to 20 miles offshore with the right antenna placement, etc but will vary from carrier to carrier, the topography, the cell tower height, and antenna beam direction all coming into play. Many have gotten further than that with Wave WiFi cellular products with all conditions perfect but distance and performance changes the further off you are at the fringe. Also some carriers in certain geographies focus their beams more on/inshore which limits what can be picked up near or off-shore on boats. Certainly mountainous areas, rock formations, and tree coverage can also limit signal between you and a tower. Our global multi-carrier sims help overcome some of these variables by providing more than one carrier option. Also the ability to use your phone further off than you otherwise could as a phone via wifi calling (if enabled on your phone), and/or VoiP communication such as skype or whatsapp adds quite a bit of benefit and value toward keeping you connected.

15 – 20 Feet above the water line is ideal for catching signals. Cellular antennas can be installed higher as the cell towers usually are higher up than WiFi systems.

If you are connecting wirelessly, make sure you are connecting to your onboard WiFi that has the system connected to it.

Turn off your WiFi or other network connections to your computer/laptop if you connect using a cable.

Check electrical power to systems. See Quick Start Guides for information on connections. With a PoE “Y” cable, Rogue and Tidal Wave products should have two solid green LED lights. Other systems have power indicator lights.

You should automatically get IP settings (DHCP) from the system and access it on its IP Address. (See Quick Start Guide for the product.)

Every computer and portable device has a way to check IP address settings. You can use Google on how to find your IP settings on your computer or device.

No, you would not connect to your wireless router. That would make a circle – looping you back to your network, without any Internet access, and causing other networking problems. Newer Wave WiFi products, the firmware, has a feature allowing you to “Ignore” such access points and routers – to take them off the scan page and prevent you from attempting to connect to them.

You are generally looking for Public WiFi. The only exceptions will be if you know what you are connecting to – such as someone else’s boat that has allowed you or a Personal Hotspot that you own. You would not connect to your boat name and should not connect to things that are not public. Connecting to someone’s HP Printer would not get you Internet access.

• You should never have to restore factory defaults. The WiFi products should not be reset to factory defaults. Pressing any reset button might necessitate the unit to be returned to Wave WiFi tech support with possible additional charges not covered by warranty.
• Router products have factory default capabilities, but they should only be performed with Wave WiFi tech support guidance.

There should be a Quick Start setup sheet with a Yacht AP DB.

There two most essential aspects of the Yacht AP DB are as follows:

1. Use the supplied 24v adapter to power it. Do not use that adapter for any other Wave WiFi products.
2. The PoE adapter connection is labeled for Ethernet ports. The port labeled “POE” takes the CAT5 going towards the Yacht AP DB unit itself, the port labeled “LAN” takes the CAT5 going towards your router (or WiFi Receivers Ethernet connection.)

For our routers, that LAN side will likely connect to Port 1 “Main LAN” or Port 5 “Guest LAN”. The Guest LAN, by default, does not allow access to the router UI for security purposes. You can change the settings by going to the check box in Settings > Network Settings > Guest LAN > “Guest LAN:  Use as guest LAN port”. If you uncheck this, then Port 5 is just another LAN (with 192.168.105.X network range).

How do you connect it directly to a Wave WiFi Receiver if the only two devices are involved (no router or LAN switch hub)?

On a Wave WiFi Receiver with no PoE adapter (power is 4-pin DC power), the CAT 5 from the WiFi Receiver can connect directly to the “LAN” side of the Yacht AP DB’s PoE. The Yacht AP itself plugs into the “POE” side of the PoE block. Power is supplied to the Yacht AP. The Yacht AP will get IP settings (DHCP) from the WiFi Receiver and will show up on the Scan Page of the receiver. With Rogue products or Tidal Wave with a PoE Y cable, the rigid CAT5 plug on the y side of that PoE will plug directly into the “LAN” side of the Yacht AP DB’s PoE.

Yacht AP DB is a DHCP Client, which differs from our other products, which are DHCP Servers. For the Yacht AP DB to work and be manageable, it must get IP settings from *something* that is a DHCP Server. Yacht AP DB’s are detected by our router products and show up under “Local Aps” on the router menu. They then become manageable by clicking on their “Manage” button. That is how they get configured. This differs from built-in APs (Radio 0 or Radio 0 / Radio 1), which are directly configurable within the Local APs page.

1. Save the bin file attached in the email to your computer in a known location like the download folder or on your desktop if it’s a laptop. Note: The file will not open up.

2. Connect to the router either wirelessly or with an ethernet cable in the blue port.

3. Type into your web browser 192.168.101.1 for the router or 192.168.89.1 for the wifi receiver and then hit enter.

4. From the left menu click Settings > Miscellaneous Tab (for router) > scroll down and click the “Up arrow” in the firmware section to find the file on your laptop or device.

5. Click on the file to upload onto the device and then Click the diskette icon next to the up arrow to begin the uploading/flashing process.

6. Once complete the new firmware version will show on the bottom right of the page.

If you get a “Firmware Update Available” message on the banner, follow these steps:

1. Tap on “click here” to go to the Firmware Update section of the Settings page.

2. Tap the Circle Checkmark icon to check for available updates.

3. When the Floppy Disk icon appears, tap it to begin the update.

4. Within a few minutes, your device should automatically reboot with the firmware successfully updated.

Our Cat 20 5G cellular products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier) but are limited to the sim cards/5G plans that We provide and have verified. All carrier networks are not fully completed and still transitioning across the globe. Please also recognize the limitation in distance for true 5G cellular on the water.

1. From the email, you must tap on the file to retrieve it.

2. Then tap on the file (still in the email message)

3. Tap on the SHARE up arrow thing in the upper right.

4. Scroll down and choose “Save to Files”.

5. Click SAVE in the upper right. (Or you can choose the Downloads folder.)

6. If you did not choose Downloads, it would be in the MAIN folder of ON MY IPAD; otherwise, it will be in DOWNLOADS.

You should be able to select that file …  then … from the Settings > Upgrade firmware > Icon with Computer/Up arrow above it.

We send Quick Start Guides with all our products. They are also available for download on our website.

There are many things that you can hover over in the UI to get explanations. Our router products have context-sensitive help with “?” or “BOOK” icons on page titles to bring you relevant help. There is a 116 page + manual in the router products.

An RMA is a Return Material Authorization. Any product returned to Wave WiFi needs to have an RMA # issued. For an RMA to be issued, some troubleshooting needs to be done to determine if resolvable onboard or if the product needs to come in for repair or other corrections. Please contact our support team by email or by phone.

https://www.wavewifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/RMA-Return-Merchandise-Authorization.pdf

https://www.wavewifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Return-Merchandise-Authorization.pdf

Our MBR550 router comes with a USB flash drive that needs to be plugged into the router’s left front (USB slot). The extra storage is required during Carrier Update processing. For ALL products, you need an ACTIVE INTERNET CONNECTION to something other than Cellular. That usually means WiFi unless you have another WAN/Internet source.

Our Routers have a page within Settings > Miscellaneous – found near the bottom under “Advanced Settings”. There is a hyperlink (a weblink) “click here” that accesses that.

This first presents the WiFi AP country and power settings, and below that section, it will start by “Checking for installed mobile data interfaces”. Then it will show a list of installed carrier firmware(s). There is a paragraph about that with a “Click here” link to check for available carrier updates. Click that link.

After that, it will come back with a line in GREEN telling you of success and presenting an updated list. If you get Radio Buttons (checkboxes) between installed and needed carrier firmware(s), you need to update. You do not have to update carrier drivers that you do not use. Most are named by the carrier. T-Mobile uses GENERIC. Some other carriers that do not have specifically named firmware updates may also use GENERIC.

From there, you are checking the boxes you need and click the “Update” button at the bottom of that section.

When our products are connected to the Internet, we provide a Push Notification on the Banner at the top of the page if your firmware is not current and eligible for an update. Click the “click here” within the notification and follow the instructions.

You can also email support@wavewifi.com with your Serial # and current Firmware version if you cannot get on the internet and do not receive the push notification. Serial numbers and Firmware versions are on the Settings page (Routers Settings > Miscellaneous) and the Bottom Right.

Prepaid / Third Party Sim providers may limit what you can do on the network (allow 3G, not 4G).

Our products are not locked to a particular cellular provider (carrier). Our products take a 2FF size (Form Factor) Sim Card (usually given on a 1FF credit card sized card) that must already be activated, data only, and no E911 services provisioned on it. We are not a cell service provider, yet do provide various sim cards and competitive multi-carrier plans to help you stay connected and are tailored to the transient, seasonal, and/or high data boating community.

Note: On some systems that are accessed remotely over the Internet, port forwarding is not needed. They make an outbound connection to “The Cloud” – to servers of their manufacturer, and by doing so, allow the incoming connection. Usually, incoming connections cannot pass the NAT boundary between Public IP and Private IP. Routers do not know which computer or device should receive traffic. Thus, Port Forwarding.

Our Router products already have Port Forwarding in: Settings > Port Forwarding. 

Note: Description is whatever you want to call it. Ports: Public is the port(s) accessed from the Internet (outside the boat). Ports: Private is the port or ports range (inside the boat) (usually the same as Public) of your device or system needing remote access. The protocol is the TCP/IP protocol (TCP, UDP, or BOTH). IP: is the inside IP Address of your device or system needing remote access. Usually, the IP is 192.168.101.X or 192.168.105.X depending on whether this device is on Router Ethernet Port #1 (blue port, aka Main LAN) or Port #5 (far left yellow port, aka Guest LAN). The AP – WiFi Access Point of the Router is configured (in Local APs) linked to Router Ethernet Port #1. So, a device on WiFi would be forwarded to as if it were on Ethernet Port #1. It is possible to Port Forward from a WiFi Receiver to the router and then forward to your device or system. We have an instruction document on how to do this.

No, you do not need to register your unit for it to work. It is truly “Plug and Play”.

A captive portal is a web page displayed to newly connected users of a WiFi network. It requires some sort of interaction before granting access to network resources. In other words – if you want to connect to a network that runs that, you need to go through a captive portal first.

Captive portals present a landing or log-in page, which may require credentials or other agreements acknowledged to gain Internet access.

Wave WiFi receivers usually detect Captive Portal and display means to open the required page. If that doesn’t work, you might have to get creative to force that page to appear.

1. You can try just opening another tab in your browser and try to go to any web page. That might kick off the Captive Portal web page.
2. Try looking in the Settings page, in your Wave WiFi receiver, for “Current Connection:” and within that find “Gateway:”. Open a new tab and try to go to http://<gateway ip>, where gateway ip is that IP next to Gateway.
3. Try making sure any HTTPS tabs/pages are closed. Close your email program or any other Internet using software as they might use HTTPS type connections. Try opening an “HTTP://” website. (This might be hard to do these days as even Google and Yahoo re-direct you to HTTPS for their websites.) Try this one: http://neverssl.com/ – it is meant for this purpose.
4. Contact Marina Office and ask if there is a specific sign-on URL (web address) that you can use to sign in.
5. Check your browser settings for things that prevent re-directs or pop-ups from being displayed.

If you are attempting to connect to a Marina (Public) Hotspot and you get:

Connected to network: YES

IP obtained: YES

Internet detected: NO

But you don’t get a Captive Portal indication. Check on the Settings page to see if STATIC IP got turned on. Using a STATIC IP can cause connectivity problems. We want new current IP settings, by DHCP, from the current Hotspot. Otherwise, the connection gets broken. We can’t get to the Internet FROM an IP that is not valid for this Hotspot.

Turn that toggle switch back to OFF, click the “Change Settings” button, and then recheck the Current Connection information. I should populate with settings obtained from the Hotspot. Check on the Scan page if it now indicates connected. You might have to disconnect and re-connect again. But you should get connected and online.

How you insert the sim card depends on the product, and there are usually labels on the product to help guide you. You want to insert the sim card per the instructions. You will want to enter the APN in settings in the product. You will also want to “Reset Interface” on Mobile Data 1 if you have just inserted or changed sim cards. Be patient and wait for approximately 5 minutes after resetting interface before expecting it to connect. You will want to click the Mobile Data 1 Interface in the middle of it and click OK to connect to the Internet with that interface. We hope and recommend that you have the cellular topside antenna installed and connected to the product. There should be a Sim Set Up instruction sheet with the device. 

WiFi Connections – The range that Wave WiFi equipment can connect to shore stations can vary greatly depending on the type of equipment and antenna positioning on board the vessel, as well as the configuration of the shoreside station. Both frequency and antenna height of Shoreside WiFi hot spots effect signal propagation. 5 GHz WiFi has less range because of its higher frequency (shorter wavelength), but it has better speed and less interference. 5 GHz is typically accessible for 1000’. With a longer wavelength, 2.4 GHz WiFi connects further than 5 GHz. It is typically accessible at 1 mile or less but with a good base hotspot 3-5 miles can sometimes be achieved. Speeds degrade based on signal strength for both frequencies so more distant connections are slower. A stronger signal has more bits that can be packed in the signal, which adds speed and increases the range of connectivity. While Wave WiFi systems have very sensitive receivers, connection distances will vary due to the quality and propagation characteristics of the shoreside station as well as the type of system, set up, and installation on board.

Cellular Connections – Wave WiFi cellular products can connect up to 20 miles offshore with the right antenna placement, etc but will vary from carrier to carrier, the topography, the cell tower height, and antenna beam direction all coming into play. Many have gotten further than that with Wave WiFi cellular products with all conditions perfect but distance and performance changes the further off you are at the fringe. Also some carriers in certain geographies focus their beams more on/inshore which limits what can be picked up near or off-shore on boats. Certainly mountainous areas, rock formations, and tree coverage can also limit signal between you and a tower. Our global multi-carrier sims help overcome some of these variables by providing more than one carrier option. Also the ability to use your phone further off than you otherwise could as a phone via wifi calling (if enabled on your phone), and/or VoiP communication such as skype or whatsapp adds quite a bit of benefit and value toward keeping you connected.

15 – 20 Feet above the water line is ideal for catching signals. Cellular antennas can be installed higher as the cell towers usually are higher up than WiFi systems.

We would need the Serial # or MAC address of the unit. 

Rogue Pro DB has a License Page: http://192.168.89.1/cgi-bin/license?setup=license that has the MAC address.

Rogue Wave and Pro 2.4 GHz have a License Page: http://192.168.89.1/?setup=license that has the MAC address.

Professional Series should have a similar License Page. With the Serial # and MAC address, we can look up the device and give you a link to re-license it and fix these errors.

Power fluctuations or spikes in power to the system are usually the cause of this issue. See Power #1 above. 

If you are connecting wirelessly, make sure you are connecting to your onboard WiFi that has the system connected to it.

Turn off your WiFi or other network connections to your computer/laptop if you connect using a cable.

Check electrical power to systems. See Quick Start Guides for information on connections. With a PoE “Y” cable, Rogue and Tidal Wave products should have two solid green LED lights. Other systems have power indicator lights.

You should automatically get IP settings (DHCP) from the system and access it on its IP Address. (See Quick Start Guide for the product.)

Every computer and portable device has a way to check IP address settings. You can use Google on how to find your IP settings on your computer or device.

No, you would not connect to your wireless router. That would make a circle – looping you back to your network, without any Internet access, and causing other networking problems. Newer Wave WiFi products, the firmware, has a feature allowing you to “Ignore” such access points and routers – to take them off the scan page and prevent you from attempting to connect to them.

You are generally looking for Public WiFi. The only exceptions will be if you know what you are connecting to – such as someone else’s boat that has allowed you or a Personal Hotspot that you own. You would not connect to your boat name and should not connect to things that are not public. Connecting to someone’s HP Printer would not get you Internet access.

• You should never have to restore factory defaults. The WiFi products should not be reset to factory defaults. Pressing any reset button might necessitate the unit to be returned to Wave WiFi tech support with possible additional charges not covered by warranty.
• Router products have factory default capabilities, but they should only be performed with Wave WiFi tech support guidance.

In general, you can leave the product(s) ON all the time; however, keep in mind that prolonged use could drain the battery if connected to DC 12-Volt power (boat or RV battery).