WiFi6 work around?

Geoff AB6BT · February 10

I am trying to use a Maestro B remotely from a hotel for the first time. It looks as though they have WiFi6 (802.11ax). So, the Maestro doesn't even show the network in the list of available networks.

I turned on the hotspot on my Pixel 8a and I do not see the hotspot either. I'm assuming that the hotspot is also 802.11ax.

Does anyone know if I can change the hotspot format to 802.11ac or something the Maestro will recognise?

Or any other suggestions? I will not be able to purchase any new hardware this trip as it is only a few days.

Thanks.

Russ Ravella · February 10

Hi Geoff,

This topic has been extensively discussed here and on the Flex groups.io forum. It would be worth the effort to search those discussions up.

It's reasonably likely the problem is not that the hotel WiFi is version 6 because most routers are backward compatible. As explained by Anna McDermond (a very competent Flex engineer), the WiFi chipset used in the Maestro B has a bug which can cause it to not see some WiFis. They discovered it after it was too late. There may be a firmware update that would fix it but Flex isn't pursuing that because of associated risks.

There is a simple and inexpensive solution which is to purchase a small, cheap (~$35) portable WiFi router and plug it into an Ethernet port (which could be one on the very router the Maestro can't see). There are several portable WiFi recommendations in the threads I mentioned, any of which will work. I have this problem in our vacation condo which also has a modern WiFi6 router and solved it this way - works perfectly. I was able to get the router via Amazon in a couple of days.

Good Luck ! 73 Russ KR6W

The portable WiFi router I used is here (currently showing for $30):

https://www.amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-SFT1200-Secure-Travel-Router/dp/B09N72FMH5/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.D089VDTuJUPQYEaoTt0ga_kNv12ro4LECqo3iOG0AfkF0HUOD4mi_sQ5M9km8ZPxRWYEKpvm5WptBBBAO61_YPOA7LuCcTP4-kFBMKuBP63gb8EWrEqQv_0GXC7WAW7eNA8aYEDR9w2Kf6aCjXJkqk9NECnccpQ8TuCJdd5EMEdJJNcfQaFjLC5-FcZ3rYl52MlSJ9Na9F6vg0o9SSmm2IEtNkxuHXI3x2S13Th_YWc.21LGNo4vInocs_pXoBpYlVO-jlxvLPFca6DGk6Gwypc&dib_tag=se&keywords=GL-iNet%2Bportable%2Brouter&qid=1739208077&sr=8-5&th=1

Geoff AB6BT · February 10

Hi Russ,

Yes, I have read all the comments here on the forum. The problem with the portable WiFi router is that I do not have access to an ethernet port.

That is why I inquied about a way to change the format of the hopspot.

Thanks for taking time to reply

73, Geoff —> AB6BT

Russ Ravella · February 10

Hi Geoff,

Dang. Yeah so that ain't gonna help. I wish I knew of another option. I use an iPhone so I don't know anything about Pixel phones and their hotspots. I sure hope someone here can offer a suitable solution.

Good Luck ! 73 Russ KR6W

Geoff AB6BT · February 10

Thanks…Here's hoping that there is a Flex/Pixel user out there with a solution!

WiFi6 work around?

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