Connecting to network and nothing happens
The wireless network circuit which is fitted in Reciva radios in the form of a so-called 'dongle' plugged into an internal USB port uses the older 802.11b and 802.11g WLAN protocols, but not the newer 802.11n protocol. Since the bandwidth offered by the b and g protocols is more that sufficient for internet radio, there is no real need to use the higher-bandwidth n-protocol. If other network devices require the n-protocol, the router must therefore be set to n+g or n+g+b mode for an internet radio to work.
However, the dongle fitted in certain older Reciva radios do not always tolerate the presence of an n-protocol network (seems to depend on which WiFi router is in use). Models known to be so affected include:
- Acoustic Energy AE 17-16B
- Magicbox Imp (but not the lookalike Grundig or Oxx Alto radios)
- Magicbox Imp Adapt
- Morphy Richards 27025
The classic symptom is that the radio fails to connect and continuously displays a 'Connecting to network' message. Other symptoms, like a refusal to start at all, have also been observed.
Therefore, if you (or a neighbour) have installed an n-protocol capable router, then either you (or the neighbour) will have to switch off the n-protocol and revert to b/g protocols, or, if you (or your neighbour) really need the n-protocol for other network devices, you will have to replace the wifi dongle inside the radio (or, of course, the whole radio...).
There are no other known solutions.
Since the dongle is simply plugged in inside the radio, replacing it is relatively easy, if a bit fiddly on some models. However, not any old dongle will do; it must be one for which the Reciva firmware includes the correct driver. The Edimax EW-7318UG is the usual candidate, but there are alternatives (see below).
Sharpfin links:
Opening the AE radio case - ![[WWW]](http://wikispot.org/wiki/eggheadbeta/img/sycamore-www.png){kind=small}
http://www.pschmidt.it/sharpfin/index.php?title=AE_Wifi_Radio
Replacing the wifi dongle - http://www.pschmidt.it/sharpfin/index.php?title=Replacing_the_internal_WLAN_module
Edimax dongle alternative: a full list is available at http://www.pschmidt.it/sharpfin/index.php?title=Modifying_the_Hardware
Replacement dongle (IOGear GWU523) if you can not obtain the Edimax EW-7318UG - ( was at https://forum.reciva.com/read.php?3,55106 )
Another replacement dongle (TP-Link TL-WN321G Ver. 3.6) if you can not obtain the Edimax EW-7318UG - ( was at https://forum.reciva.com/read.php?3,53185,68005#msg-68005 )