Wi-Fi Module Configuration Guide

For BaseStation 3200 Irrigation Controllers

Customer Service 1-866-294-5847

Introduction

In order to remotely connect with your BaseStation 3200 irrigation controller and take advantage of BaseManager, the controller must be able to communicate over the Internet. Using a Wi-Fi module is one option for wireless Internet communication. The Wi-Fi module enables your controller to connect to an existing Wi-Fi network at your site.

When you choose a Wi-Fi module communication package from Baseline, we provide the Wi-Fi module and the firmware that activates the connection from your controller.

To establish communication through your Wi-Fi module, you need to perform the following tasks:

Step 1 – Get network info from your network administrator.

Step 2 – Configure the computer to connect to the Wi-Fi module.

Step 3 – Configure the Wi-Fi module.

Step 4 – Return the computer to the previous settings.

Step 5 – Verify the Wi-Fi connection in the controller.

Guidelines for Successful Wi-Fi Module Operation

Do not bend or kink the antenna cable. When the Wi-Fi module is factory installed, the antenna cable is contained behind the control board cover. If you remove this cover, make sure to return the antenna cable to its former configuration before you replace the cover.

Make sure the antenna cable remains securely attached to the connector on the Wi-Fi module. If the module is powered up with a loose or disconnected antenna, damage may occur to the circuitry. This damage is not covered by warranty.

Note the cable coming from the right end of the Wi-Fi module. A label identifies the RJ45 connector that is plugged into the Wi-Fi module. If you ever need to disconnect or replace this cable, make sure to plug the labeled end into the Wi-Fi module. This cable supplies power over Ethernet and plugging it in incorrectly will damage the irrigation controller.

Step 1 – Get Network Info

When you use a Baseline Wi-Fi module to connect a BaseStation 3200 controller to an existing wireless network, you need to configure the Wi-Fi module with information specific to that network.

Ask the network administrator at the site for the following information:

Network Name (SSID):

Wi-Fi Key or Passcode:

Carefully record the Wi-Fi Key or Passcode noting the case of all letters and clearly distinguishing ones and zeroes from similar alpha characters.

Step 2 – Configure the Computer to Connect to the Wi-Fi Module

You need a Microsoft Windows-based computer or a Macintosh computer to configure the Wi-Fi module. You configure the computer to use a static IP address, and then the computer will be able to connect to the Wi-Fi module.

Windows 10

1. Click the Start button, then click the Settings (gear) icon.
2. Click Network & Internet.
3. In the left panel, click Ethernet, then click Change adapter options.
4. Right-click your active Ethernet connection, and then click Properties.
5. In the items list, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click Properties.
6. Select Use the following IP address.
7. In the IP Address field, type 192.168.1.10
8. In the Subnet mask field, type 255.255.255.0
9. Click OK, and then click Close.

Note: After you have finished configuring the Wi-Fi module, you will need to repeat these steps and select Obtain an IP address automatically to return to your previous settings.

Windows 11

1. Click the Start button, then click the Settings (gear) icon.
2. Click Network & internet in the left panel.
3. Click Advanced network settings.
4. Under Related settings, click More network adapter options.
5. Right-click your active Ethernet connection, and then click Properties.
6. In the items list, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click Properties.
7. Select Use the following IP address.
8. In the IP Address field, type 192.168.1.10
9. In the Subnet mask field, type 255.255.255.0
10. Click OK, and then click Close.

Note: After you have finished configuring the Wi-Fi module, you will need to repeat these steps and select Obtain an IP address automatically to return to your previous settings.

macOS (Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia)

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of your screen, and then click System Settings.
2. In the left panel, click Network.
3. If Wi-Fi is on, click Wi-Fi and turn it off to avoid conflict. Return to the Network panel.
4. Click your active Ethernet connection, and then click Details.
5. Click the TCP/IP tab.
6. In the Configure IPv4 field, click the drop-down and select Manually.
7. In the IP Address field, type 192.168.1.10
8. In the Subnet Mask field, type 255.255.255.0
9. Click OK.

Note: After you have finished configuring the Wi-Fi module, return to this screen, set Configure IPv4 back to Using DHCP, and click OK.

Step 3 – Configure the Wi-Fi Module

1. Make sure the BaseStation 3200 controller is powered on in order to provide power to the Wi-Fi module.
2. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the Ethernet port on the BaseStation 3200 controller.
3. Connect the cable to your computer's Ethernet port.
4. Open a web browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
5. Type 192.168.1.20 into the address bar, and then press Enter.

6. On the airOS Login page, type ubnt in both the Username and Password fields.
7. In the Country field, click the drop-down arrow and select the country where you are located.
8. Change the default language in the Language field if necessary.
9. Review the Terms of Use, and then click the checkbox to agree to the terms.
10. Click the Login button. The main configuration page of the Bullet M² airOS application displays.
11. Click the Wireless tab.

12. Click the drop-down arrow in the Wireless Mode field, and then select Station from the list of options.
13. In the SSID field, click the Select button. A window displays the list of available networks.
14. Click the radio button in the row for the network that you want to connect to. Scroll down to the bottom of the window, and then click Select. The Wi-Fi module should detect the other network settings and automatically configure them in the airOS application.
15. Depending on the type of security enabled on your network, type your key or passcode in the appropriate field under the Wireless Security section.

Note: Your wireless key or passcode is case sensitive. Pay close attention to the case when you enter information in this field.

16. Click the Change button in the lower-right corner, and then click the Apply button in the upper-right corner.
17. Baseline recommends that you change the Administrator password for the airOS application.
    • a. Click the System tab.
    • b. Click the magnifying glass icon at the end of the Administrator Username field. The password fields display.
    • c. In the Current Password field, type ubnt.
    • d. In the New Password field, type a secure password.
    • e. In the Verify New Password field, retype the new password exactly as you typed it in the previous field.
    • f. Click the Change button in the lower-right corner, and then click the Apply button in the upper-right corner.
    • g. Write down your new password and keep it somewhere safe so you can log into the airOS application when necessary.
18. To verify that the Wi-Fi module is connected to the network, click the Main tab. Review the Signal Strength meter. When the Wi-Fi module is receiving a strong signal, the meter shows light-blue colored indicators at the right end of the bar.

19. When you are satisfied that the Wi-Fi module settings are accurate, close the browser tab or window where the airOS application is displayed.
20. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer and reconnect it to the BaseStation 3200 controller's Ethernet port.

Note: If you need to reset the Wi-Fi module to its factory settings, refer to the instructions at the end of this document.

Step 4 – Return the Computer to the Previous Settings

Go back through the steps in the Step 2 section to access the IP properties settings. Change the settings as indicated below:

Microsoft Windows: Select Obtain an IP address automatically.

macOS: Set Configure IPv4 back to Using DHCP.

Step 5 – Verify the Connection in the Controller

BaseStation 3200S

1. On the BaseStation 3200 controller, turn the dial to the Network position.
2. Press the Next button to highlight the Communication Setup option, and then press Enter.
3. Ensure that Ethernet displays in the Communication Type field. If a different setting displays in the field, press the + or – button to change the value to Ethernet.
4. Press the Back button to return to the Network menu.
5. Press the Previous or Next button to highlight the BaseManager Server Setup option, and then press Enter. The BaseManager Setup screen displays.
6. Ensure that Connection Status displays Connected. If the Press Enter to field displays Connect and not Disconnect, press the Enter button with Connect highlighted.
7. Turn the controller's dial to the RUN position. The status in the BaseMgr field should be "Connected."

If you experience any problems during the installation of your Wi-Fi module, call Baseline Support at 866.294.5847.

BaseStation 3200

1. On the BaseStation 3200 controller, turn the dial to the Network position.
2. Press the Next button to highlight the Communication Setup option, and then press Enter.
3. Ensure that Ethernet displays in the Comm Type field. If a different setting displays in the field, press the + or – button to change the value to Ethernet.
4. Press the Back button to return to the Network menu.
5. Press the Previous or Next button to highlight the BaseManager Server Setup option, and then press Enter. The BaseManager Setup screen displays.
6. Ensure that BaseMgr Status displays Connected. If the Press Enter to field displays Connect and not Disconnect, press the Enter button with Connect highlighted.
7. Turn the controller's dial to the RUN position. The status in the BaseMgr field should be "Connected."

BaseStation 1000/SubStation/FlowStation

1. On the BaseStation controller, press the Setup/System Setup button.
2. Press the down arrow button to highlight the Network Setup option, and then press OK.
3. Press OK on the Communication Setup option.
4. Ensure that Ethernet displays in the Comm Type field. If a different setting displays in the field, press the + or – button to change the value to Ethernet.
5. Press the Back button to return to the Network menu.
6. Press the down arrow button to highlight the BaseManager Info option, and then press Enter. The BaseManager Info screen displays.
7. Ensure that Status displays Connected. If the status does not display Connected, press the Enter button to connect to BaseManager.

Resetting the Wi-Fi Module to Factory Settings

Perform the reset if your network settings change or if you need to connect to a different network.

1. Power down the irrigation controller.
2. Remove the control board cover and disconnect the antenna cable from the antenna.
3. Disconnect the Wi-Fi module power cable.
4. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the back of the faceplate.
5. Remove the screws on the Wi-Fi module mounting plate.
6. Remove the Wi-Fi module from the cabinet and unscrew the cover from the end where the Ethernet cable is plugged in. The gasket will pop out. Be sure to set it aside so you can reuse it.

7. Reconnect the antenna cable, the power cable, and the Ethernet cable.
8. Power on the controller.
9. Use a pointed object to press and hold the Reset button until all the lights flash, and then release the button.

10. Reattach the connector cover and replace the gasket.
11. Reattach the Wi-Fi module mounting plate inside the cabinet.
12. Replace the control board cover.
13. Follow the instructions in the previous sections of this document to reconfigure the Wi-Fi module.

FCC Warning

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15.247 of the FCC Rules (and Industry Canada RSS-210). These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Baseline Inc. | www.baselinesystems.com | Phone 208-323-1634 | FAX 208-323-1834 | Toll Free 866-294-5847 ©2014 Baseline Inc. All Rights Reserved.