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How to Configure Dirtmates as an Access Point

Similar to your phone’s mobile hotspot functionality, DirtMates can share their internet connection with other DirtMates by broadcasting a Wi-Fi network.

Only DirtMates with an LTE or Ethernet internet connection can serve as a Wi-Fi host. If your DirtMate site relies solely on a Wi-Fi network, this internet connection sharing will not work, as DirtMates cannot be both a Wi-Fi host and a client simultaneously.

As with all DirtMate configurations, the DirtMate unit needs to be connected to the internet to receive any configurations made in the DirtMate Management space.

Configuring a DirtMate Access Point

Note: It is not recommended to enable multiple DirtMates as Access Points on a single site. It is best to utilize this feature for the base DirtMate and a machine on-site that has a good LTE connection and interacts with other machines.

A good example would be enabling the Access Point feature for a DirtMate installed on an excavator that loads trucks. This allows the trucks to utilize the Wi-Fi connection to offload data while being loaded.

Try to spread out the DirtMates configured as Access Points, and do not configure DirtMates as access points if they do not consistently show a stable LTE connection while the machine is in normal production on-site. A machine with an unstable connection would benefit from connecting to a DirtMate access point, not acting as one.

In the DirtMate Management App, navigate to the DIRTMATE Tab.
You can also use the Hardware tab, located in your portal, when accessing the DirtMate Management space via a web browser.

DirtMate Management Activated DirtMates.png

Select the desired DirtMate in your list to familiarize yourself with the Access Point configuration. This configuration can be found by navigating to the SETTINGS tab and scrolling down past the Mobile Network settings, where Access Point is located.

DirtMate Management Access Point Settings.png

By default, each checkbox for the multiple frequency options is enabled.
Keeping all of these enabled is generally fine and may be best for most situations.

DirtMate Access Point Broadcasting Frequency.png

Note: Once a DirtMate is configured as an access point, it can no longer act as a Wi-Fi client. The only way to achieve an internet connection with this configuration enabled is via LTE or Ethernet. Proceed with caution before saving this configuration.

I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, the Propeller Site Support team may be able to help. You can contact our support team by emailing sitesupport@propelleraero.com.au.

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