Wifi in 26 205
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16457
Printed Date: 28 Aug 2026 at 10:32pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Wifi in 26 205
Posted By: Ontario Dan
Subject: Wifi in 26 205
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2026 at 9:43pm
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Hi all! Posted this in the wrong place yesterday. Just purchased a new 205 and camped in my back yard!
Tried to connect the tv to our home wifi thru the installed winegard 360 (no gateway). The signal indicator Showed very low signal and the smart tv could not access Netflix etc. At the same time our other devices showed a full signal. Easily able to hot spot our Roku with my phone and watch everything. Could not even hotspot the tv from my phone. Our previous trailer had no issues connecting to our home network in the exact same location. Anyone else have this issue and if so did you find a solution?
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Replies:
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2026 at 6:58am
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Welcome to the forum. A quick AI search returned this: To improve signal strength on your Winegard 360, start by ensuring the built-in 12-volt signal amplifier is turned on. Press the small button near your TV wall plate; an illuminated green LED indicates it is boosting the antenna. Next, connect to the Winegard RV App to locate nearby TV towers, as the Winegard 360 is omnidirectional but still performs best when oriented broadly toward them. It also brought back assorted YouTube trouble shooting videos. I would start there. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Honda SCL500 |
Posted By: Ontario Dan
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2026 at 12:10pm
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Thanks, but the issue is not the tv reception per se as the inability for the tv to use my existing reasonably strong wifi. I cannot use any streaming service with the smart tv as the wifi signal is too weak coming thru the winegard. Connecting my Roku to the same wifi then to the tv and all streaming works flawlessly. It seems that the winegard is degrading the signal even though the booster is turned on.
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2026 at 4:17pm
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I may be a dolt, but the Winegard antenna is for UHF/VHF TV signals and is in no way associated with WiFi. VHF frequencies are in the 30 MHz to 300 MHz range, and VHF frequencies are in the 300MHz to 3 GHz frequency range. WiFi signals currently operate in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz range. The Winegard antenna is not compatible with WiFi frequencies. Besides, WHOS WiFi are you expecting to pickup?
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Ontario Dan
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2026 at 7:06pm
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Thanks for the reply glue guy . I understand the function of the tv antenna and booster and the difference in frequencies. The literature says the winegard is wifi enabled. In order to use 5g cellular I know that I have to purchase a separate gateway and SIM card and have a data plan. In the tv settings I can connect to wifi. My home wifi shows up but with a very weak signal. It will connect but not strong enough to access Netflix or any other steaming service. On the other hand, phones and tablets show a strong signal in the trailer right beside the tv! I can hotspot my phone to my Roku stick and watch whatever I want. As it is supposed to be wifi enabled I assumed it would act as a booster. Possibly my issue boils down to poor wifi reception in the tv itself. Does anyone know for sure or do I just live with it. Had no issues with the smart tvs in my last 2 trailers in the same location hence my question, By the way, as I said in my previous post it is MY OWN HOME wifi I want to connect to when we camp in our own back yard of if the grandkids want to watch tv. I live too far from any tv transmitter to receive any over the air broadcast so streaming is a must.
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Posted By: Rpod-Couple
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2026 at 5:59pm
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Pretty sure the TV uses its internal Wi-Fi antenna and not the UHF/VHF antenna connection. There are Wi-Fi repeaters you might try. I have one in a garage window to extend Wi-Fi to my trailer. ------------- Steve & Elaine 2021 R-pod 2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport |
Posted By: Ontario Dan
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2026 at 7:52pm
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Thanks, I guess you are right. Sucks that the antenna is so poor. In the distant past I encountered the same thing with cell phones. In fringe areas where I live some phones had better reception than others on the same network, but that seems to be a thing of the past. In this day and age I didn’t think I would encounter it with wifi reception! A pain to have to hot spot all the time but I guess I can live with it for the times we camp in the back yard. Odd that it won’t hotspot directly from my phone though.  Thanks everyone for your input. Guess this is one of those annoying things that will likely be addressed by Connex in future tvs.
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Posted By: Rpod-Couple
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2026 at 12:06pm
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Odd. Our 2021 Rpod 171 came with a 2020 Sanyo TV. We often use my iPhone 11 as a hotspot with WiFi to the TV to watch shows while traveling. You might try Google for help with pairing your phone and TV. ------------- Steve & Elaine 2021 R-pod 2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport |
Posted By: Ontario Dan
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2026 at 8:02am
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2026 models use a 12v tv from Connex. I guess I simplified things saying it wouldn’t hotspot from my phone. While my Roku works perfectly hotspotting from the phone, the tv connects ok but can’t stream any of my services like Netflix. Not a big deal overall just a minor annoyance.
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