How can I tune network performance by logging in to the antennas?

# How can I tune network performance?

The SkyCoach app now checks and tunes your network for you. The **Network screen** scans every device on the SkyCoach network, grades each antenna link against its performance targets, and walks you through fixing anything that's off. No more logging into each antenna one at a time. The old browser login method still works and is the backup if the Network screen isn't available.

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## Check performance in the app (recommended)

**Open it:** SkyCoach menu → **Settings** → **Network Performance**.

Before you start:

- You must be connected to the SkyCoach network — either on an SC- antenna's WiFi or through an ethernet adapter. If the screen says **"Not connected to the SkyCoach network"**, tap **Open Settings** and join it.
- The screen works in **client mode** only. In cloud mode it shows "This feature is only available in client mode."
- The first time you open it, iOS asks for **local network access** — allow it, or the scan can't see your devices.
- Wait for **"Scanning Network…"** to finish. The screen keeps refreshing live after that, so readings stay current while you adjust antennas. If you see **"Scan Failed"**, tap **Try Again**.

[IMAGE 1: Network screen showing the full network map — antenna link cards at top, router/switch in the middle, RCK cards at the bottom]

### Reading the screen

The screen is a top-to-bottom map of your network: **antenna link cards** at the top, **infrastructure cards** (router, switch, mesh AP, replay host) in the middle, and **RCK camera kit cards** at the bottom. Small labeled lines ("WiFi", "ETH 1G") show how each device is connected.

Each antenna link card shows both ends of one wireless bridge — the **AP / Bridge** side (broadcasting, press box) and the **STA / Station** side (receiving, sideline) — with its hostname (e.g. SC-SKYbridge), IP address, and a colored status dot.

**The dots:**

| Dot | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Meets its target | Nothing |
| 🟡 Yellow | Working, but degraded | Keep an eye on it |
| 🔴 Red | Failing its target | Tap **Details** and use the Recommended Action |
| ⚪ Grey / "No data" | No reading yet | Wait for the scan; never assume it's healthy |

**Broken links sort to the top.** If the top card is green, your whole network is in good shape. A side showing "Not Connected" or "Device hasn't responded" is offline or unpaired.

### Checking a link

Tap **Details** on any antenna card:

**Health Metrics** — eight graded rows, each with a dot, live readings for both the AP and STA side, and its target printed underneath:

| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| Signal Strength | Expected dBm at your distance |
| Antenna Aim (Chain Imbalance) | Less than 3 dB between chains |
| Noise Floor | Below −88 dBm |
| SNR | 30+ dB |
| Data Delivery | 90%+ |
| Efficiency | 80%+ |
| Response Time | Under 5 ms |
| Capacity | 120+ Mbps |

The **Capacity** row is the same throughput check you used to do by logging into the antenna — 120+ Mbps is the passing grade.

[IMAGE 2: Health Metrics tab with the eight graded rows]

**Graphs** —

- **RF ENVIRONMENT:** a bar chart of radio channels showing interference. Tap any channel bar for detail; the chart calls out **Best**, **Rec** (recommended), and **Current** frequency.
- **SIGNAL:** a live gauge with per-chain bars — use this while physically aiming the dish.
- **SIGNAL / THROUGHPUT:** a rolling chart of signal (dBm) against speed (Mbps) over time.

**Recommended Actions** — when something is off, the app generates numbered **Step** cards, each ending in an **Apply Fix** button:

- **Use recommended frequency / Change Frequency** — moves the link to a cleaner channel (the link drops briefly while it applies).
- **Increase Power** — runs a 2-minute automatic power sweep ("Trying higher power levels and measuring throughput…").
- **Increase speed** — widens the channel for more capacity.
- **Align Antenna** — live aiming coach: "Adjust antenna until chains are balanced" → "Almost there — fine-tune for better balance" → "Chains are balanced — alignment looks great!"
- **Power cycle station antenna**

[IMAGE 3: Recommended Actions tab showing Step cards with Apply Fix buttons]

**To tune your network:** start at the top card, open Details, apply the Recommended Actions in order, and watch the dots turn green. Work your way down until every link card is green.

### Special cards you might see

- **Factory Default** — an antenna that's been reset and lost its SkyCoach configuration. Tap **Repair**, pick which antenna it should be from the list, and wait while the app uploads the configuration and the antenna reboots. (Use **Search** to look for factory-default antennas if one isn't showing.)
- **TFTP Recovery** — an antenna stuck in recovery mode that needs to be re-flashed. Contact SkyCoach support.
- **Login** button on a card — the app couldn't sign in to that device. Tap it and enter the device's username and password.

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## Backup: log into the antennas in a browser

If the Network screen isn't working (scan keeps failing, screen won't load, or you're on a device without the app), you can still check throughput the original way.

You must be connected to the SkyCoach network — either on an SC- antenna's WiFi or through an ethernet adapter.

1. Open a browser (Safari or Chrome) on an iPad connected to the SkyCoach network.
2. Type **192.168.88.2** in the **address bar** (not the search box). That's the Red/Black bridge — start there. Hold down on the address bar to bookmark the page for next time.
3. Your browser will show a security warning — choose Advanced / Show Details, then Visit this Website / Proceed Anyway (wording varies by browser).
   - Tip: if the login page doesn't load, tap the refresh (circle arrow) at the top of the page.
4. Log in with USERNAME: **SC-read** PASSWORD: **Tuneup318!**
5. Check the throughput capacity for the local and remote antenna — it should be close to 130 Mbps. If it's under **120 Mbps**, adjust the antennas until it's above 120.
6. Repeat for each bridge you have:

| Bridge | URL | Bookmark as |
|---|---|---|
| Red/Black | 192.168.88.2 | SC-RBbridge HOME SL |
| Red/White | 192.168.88.3 | SC-RWbridge EZ1 |
| Red/White/Black | 192.168.88.10 | SC-RWBbridge VISITOR SL |
| Black/White | 192.168.88.12 | SC-BWbridge COACHBOX |
| Sky | 192.168.88.14 | SC-SKYbridge REV |
| Coach | 192.168.88.16 | SC-COACHbridge CAM/EZ2 |

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## Record test clips and verify download speeds at each location

Whichever method you used, finish by testing with real video. Short clips almost always download fast and are not a good indicator — test with longer than normal video lengths.

1. Record a **45-second** clip.
2. On the sideline, connect an iPad to the sideline WiFi.
3. Open the event and time how long the test clip takes to download.
4. A 45-second recording should download in **less than 10 seconds** and never take more than 15.
5. Repeat at every location that has an antenna broadcasting SC-Location-XXXXX WiFi, standing beside the antenna you're connected to.

To re-test after adjusting antennas without recording new clips: SkyCoach menu → Settings → Status → Info, scroll to the bottom, and select **Clear video downloads**. When you reopen the event, the clips download again.

See the Pregame Checklist and Keys To Success for other things that can impact performance!

Category: Support / Common Support Questions