Wi-Fi / hotspot setup

The coaching features (remote start/stop, live speed display, push-to-talk) require all devices to be on the same local Wi-Fi network. A mobile hotspot is the most practical way to create this network on the water.

Option 1: Mobile hotspot from a spare phone or tablet

The most reliable setup. A dedicated device (an old phone works well) acts as the hotspot and stays on the coach boat.

To set up a hotspot on Android:

1. Settings → Network → Hotspot and tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot
2. Set a network name (SSID) and password you'll remember
3. Turn the hotspot on

To set up a hotspot on iPhone:

1. Settings → Personal Hotspot
2. Turn on "Allow Others to Join"
3. Note the Wi-Fi password shown

Keep the hotspot phone plugged into a power bank — hotspot mode drains battery faster than normal use.

Option 2: Coach's phone as hotspot

The coach's phone can run the Dinghy Coach app and the hotspot simultaneously. This works, but hotspot + GPS + Bluetooth uses significant battery. If using this option, plug the coach phone into a power bank.

Option 3: Club Wi-Fi on the water

Some clubs have waterproof access points near the race area or on the committee boat. If your club has this, use it. The setup is the same as any Wi-Fi network.

Connecting all devices to the hotspot

Before launching:

1. Each sailor opens Android Settings → Wi-Fi and connects to the hotspot network.
2. The coach phone also connects (if using option 1).
3. Confirm each device shows "Connected" under the hotspot network name.

Expected range

The coaching connection works over standard Wi-Fi. Typical outdoor range from a mobile hotspot:

• Clear line of sight: 50–150 metres
• With boats/sails in the way: 30–80 metres
• In choppy conditions with spray: somewhat reduced

For larger coaching areas, consider a directional antenna on the coach boat (an external Wi-Fi adapter in a waterproof case), or reduce the coaching radius so sailors stay within range.

What happens out of range?

If a sailor goes out of Wi-Fi range:

• Their phone continues recording locally
• Their tile on the coaching screen shows a red dot
• They reconnect automatically when they return to range
• Push-to-talk resumes once reconnected

The session is not lost if sailors temporarily leave the coverage area.

Troubleshooting connection issues

Sailor's device shows connected to Wi-Fi but doesn't appear on coach screen:

• Check both devices are on the same network (same SSID)
• Confirm the coach's app is on the Coaching screen (not the start screen)
• Check that the sailor held Get Coached for a full second and is on the waiting screen

Hotspot network disappears mid-session:

• The hotspot phone's screen may have turned off and Android put it in a power-saving state
• Fix: in Android Settings → Battery → Battery Optimisation, set the hotspot app or system Wi-Fi to "Not optimised"
• Keep the screen on or connected to a charger

Only some sailors connect; others don't:

• Check all devices are on the same network (not mixing hotspot with club Wi-Fi or mobile data)
• Some devices take longer to get a local IP address after connecting — wait 10 seconds and check again

See also Coach and sailors not connecting for connection problems specific to the coaching session pairing.