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Thread ID: 150412 2022-01-14 02:21:00 Spark Free Modems?? bk T (215) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1483511 2022-01-18 07:44:00 Received my replacement , Spark Smart Modem - VRV9517UWAC34 this afternoon.

Just hooked it up and connected OK. but I noticed that only one wifi option is available. Went in to the setup and both the options, 2.4GHz and 5GHz are enabled.
In my old HG659b, both the 4.2G and 5G are visible and I could choose whichever I preferred to connect to.
Does it mean that I don't have the option to choose, and it's done automatically ?
bk T (215)
1483512 2022-01-18 08:21:00 Does it mean that I don't have the option to choose, and it's done automatically ?

Most likely. IMO this is the better way as devices can choose based on their needs at the time.

An app like Ubiquiti's WiFiman would reveal if this is the case (you don't need any Ubiquiti hardware to use it).
pcuser42 (130)
1483513 2022-01-18 08:43:00 But according to the Quick Start Guide, it should show up both:11258


Maybe, I did something wrong, but I did a reset to wifi defaults, it still doesn't show up.
bk T (215)
1483514 2022-01-18 09:07:00 What are you using to look for the wifi? Any iphone after iphone 5 will show both, not sure with Android.

5 Gig is short range, say 3 meters line of sight, so about the size of a large room, 2.4 Gig is longer range say 15 meters, so outside rooms maybe sheds.

You should be seeing both on a modern phone or laptop, and the device should be able to choose the correct frequency depending on the signal strength, thats what happens at a place I have had some problems with.

You have to set both up with appropriate passwords.

Older devices will not have the 5Gig.
zqwerty (97)
1483515 2022-01-18 09:51:00 The old HG659b shows both, 2.4GHz and 5GHz on my Android phone. So, that's not a phone issue.

There's a typo in my post #11 . it should be 2.4GHz, not 4.2GHz
bk T (215)
1483516 2022-01-18 17:29:00 As suggested above by pcuser42 get an app like wifiman and you will be able to see what is going on. Your device will automatically select the best band to connect to without any input from you. As Zqwerty said 5GHz is shorter in range than 2.4GHz.
Lastly if it is working ok stop worrying about it and just use it.
CliveM (6007)
1483517 2022-01-18 18:27:00 Its possible the router is transmitting on a channel the phone cant pick up. Got that info from the following site, it also gives some suggestions, different router but same principle. .

community.tp-link.com

But as its been suggested, don't worry about it, 5G only has a very short range anyway.

This from Spark shows how to change channels www.spark.co.nz
wainuitech (129)
1483518 2022-01-18 19:54:00 Does it mean that I don't have the option to choose, and it's done automatically ?


It could be both 2.4 & 5.x wifi's have the same SSD's , so they both show as a single one on the phone & the ph will pick the best option

rename the 5Ghz wifi to something else .

5 may less penetrating power (ie through walls) , but is faster & sometimes works much better due to less interference .
5 has PLENTY of range , it has poorer penetration , more likely to be absorbed by walls & obstacles etc .
1101 (13337)
1483519 2022-01-18 20:14:00 5 has PLENTY of range , it has poorer penetration , more likely to be absorbed by walls & obstacles etc . That's why I mentioned very short range anyway (same room is OK). Direct line of site with no obstacles its not to bad, BUT how many houses or buildings don't have internal walls of some description -- Answer, not many. Throw in a wall or two and the 5G goes AWOL :) wainuitech (129)
1483520 2022-01-18 20:52:00 OK... Thank You guys. :) :) bk T (215)
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