Wireless Beach Access
       keeping you connected

Common Questions

How do I connect to the Wireless Beach Access network?

First, you need a WiFi-enabled computer. Most laptops sold in the past 5 years already have built-in WiFi capability. It is an easy and relatively inexpensive add-on for an older computer - you will need to purchase a Wireless Network Adapter available from most any computer-related retail store. To connect to the Wireless Beach Access network, first select "Wireless Beach Access" from available wireless networks on your computer. Once connected, you just need to open a web browser such as Internet Explorer and the Wireless Beach Access login page will load automatically.

Which Login Option do I use?
 

There are three login options available and you MUST have the proper one selected or your login attempt will fail.
    - If you paid for an account with Paypal or a Credit Card you will select the first option and use the Username and Password you selected when you paid for the service.
    - If you were given a Business Card with a Prepaid or Complimentary Login and Password you will use the second option.
    - If you are an Owner, Yearly Subscriber, or if your Login and Password is displayed on a refrigerator sticker in your unit you will use the third option.

I am staying in a Unit that provides Complimentary Wifi for their guests, how do I Login?

You should have received a business card from your rental agent that has a Username and Password on it for you to use during your stay. These Usernames are good for 1 week from the first login. If you did not get a card or try to use a card and get "Account Expired" (card has already been used) then please contact your rental agent for a Login Card. You must use the second login option "Login for Guests In Units With Prepaid Login Cards".

Are there limits for Usernames and Passwords?


There are NO limits on what your username and password can be. We suggest you use your email address as it is easy to remember. Usernames and Passwords ARE CASE SENSITIVE! So, for example, the username Beach123 is different and not the same as beach123

I purchased time with Paypal or a Credit Card and need additional time?

If you are having trouble purchasing more time you may have to go through the account setup procedure again using a DIFFERENT username and password than you had previously. If you used your email address we suggest you make the first letter Capital as this results in a new unique name, for instance if you used beach123@hotmail.com the first time, make your new username Beach123@hotmail.com.

Can I connect any computer to the Wireless Beach Access network?

You can connect most devices that use 802.11 b/g technologies to Wireless Beach Access wireless network. Multiple logins are not allowed, however, as there is limited bandwidth that must be shared by all users. So, for example, if you connect with an iPhone and then try to connect with your laptop, the laptop will fail to connect and/or disconnect  the iPhone that is already authenticated. To log off you simply need to turn off the device that is logged in and wait 15 minutes and the system will drop the connection and then another device can connect. Devices that use large amounts of bandwidth such as online game consoles and wireless DVRs are not permitted on the network as they take resourses away from other users.

Typical Setup

Operating System:
PC: Windows 95 or higher (Windows 98 or higher recommended)
Mac: OS 9 or OS X
Linux

Windows:
Internet Explorer version 6 or newer
Firefox 1.5 or newer

Macintosh:
Firefox, Safari, or Netscape
 

Why do I have a weak signal and can I improve it?

The best connection is achieved when there is a clear line of sight between your computer and the access point. If possible, relocate your wireless device near a window facing the general direction of the nearest  Wireless Beach Access’s access point. This should increase your signal strength and overall quality of your service.

If you are within 500 feet of the access point and experience poor signal strength when indoors, we recommend that you purchase a high power wireless modem. Wireless Beach Access recommends the Ruckus MetroFlex Wireless Access Gateway (MM2211) which can purchased from ExpressNets.

I get a message "Connection has limited connectivity" or web browser says "Cannot Display Page", what do I do?

If you get either of these messages it means your computer did not receive an IP address from our network. Follow the troubleshooting step on the Support page.  

My service is slow, can I speed it up?

Maximum access speeds on Wireless Beach Access’s wireless network are 1 Mbps downstream (about 18 times faster than dialup) and 256 Kbps upstream. It is best to have at least 2 bars (Good, Very Good or Excellent Signal) and be connected at 2Mbps or faster for best performance.

The best connection is achieved when there is a clear line of sight between your computer and the access point. If possible, relocate your wireless device near a window facing the general direction of the nearest neighborhood Wireless Beach Access access point: 
    Star of the Sea:  The closer you are to the windows and sliding glass doors facing the ocean, the better the signal.
    Henlopen Hotel:  The closer you are to the windows and sliding glass doors facing the courtyard between the Hotel and the Condos, the better the signal.
    Edgewater House:  The closer you are to the windoes and sliding glass doors facing the ocean, the better the signal.
    Patrician Towers: The closer you are to a window or sliding glass door that faces the courtyard on Olive Ave. the better the signal will be.
    The Cove:  The closer you are to the windows in your unit the better the signal will be. Some units have metal blinds that must be opened to allow the singal in.
    Rodney Ave.: The closer you are to an outside window facing the street the better the signal will be.
    Saulsbury St.: The closer you are to a window that faces Mariners Surfside Condominiums the better the signal will be.
    Mariners Court: The closer you are to a window that faces the Star of the Sea the better the signal will be.

How do I setup my TCP/IP information to connect to Wireless Beach Access?

Set your TCP/IP connection to obtain an address automatically (dynamically) if you are connecting directly to a Wireless Beach Access access point.

What is DHCP and do I need it to use Wireless Beach Access?

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) enables your computer to automatically receive an IP address from a network. The network will assign and reassign IP addresses to your computer as needed. These addresses may change, which is what is meant by dynamic.

For more information on how to configure your computer’s network settings so that DHCP is enabled in order to access the Wireless Beach Access network go to the Support Page.

What is my IP address?

Your IP address when connecting to Wireless Beach Access should start with 192.168.180.x. For instructions describing how to look up your IP address go to Support Page 

What is my MAC address and how do I know what it is?

The Media Access Control (MAC) address is used to provide a unique identifier for your computer on Wireless Beach Access’s wireless network.

Does Wireless Beach Access provide static IP addresses?

Wireless Beach Access only supports dynamic IP assignments; if you have a static IP set under TCP/IP settings then you will not be able to communicate with our network.

Why do I timeout?

If you don’t access the network for 15 minutes, your session will be automatically timed out. Wireless Beach Access has established a 15-minute timeout when there is not activity in order to effectively manage its network assets.

If your session has timed out, close your browser and relaunch in order to connect back to the Wireless Beach Access wireless network.

I am able to see your access point or network SSID but am unable to connect.

There are a few reasons why this may be occurring.

a. Distance: If you are too far from the neighborhood access point, you will see the SSID, but will not be able to connect, or have a poor quality connection. In this case, we recommend that you install a wireless modem to improve the Wireless Beach Access signal to your computer. However, if you have greater than 3 bars of signal strength there may be another problem affecting your service.

b. Excellent Signal Strength: If you have excellent signal strength (5 Bars) and are unable to access the Internet then verify that you have selected the Wireless Beach Access SSID, and that you have opened your browser. You should be able to connect and access the internet.

I am looking at your coverage map, but do not see any coverage in my area? When are you coming to my neighborhood?

Wireless Beach Access is deploying access points in several cities located on the Delmarva peninsula at this time and may be coming to your area soon.

Can I get Wireless Beach Access inside my home?

If you are within our coverage area, you may be able to connect to Wireless Beach Access’s WiFi network by simply finding and selecting the Wireless Beach Access network IDs indoors. However, in many cases, distance from our access points and interference from walls and other devises can affect your ability to connect inside. We therefore strongly recommend that you use an indoor “WiFi booster” if you plan to use Wireless Beach Access inside your home or office. There are a variety of products available to boost a WiFi signal. We have tested and can recommend Ruckus MetroFlex.

Where can I access the Wireless Beach Access wireless service?

Wireless Beach Access is currently serving the Rehoboth and Dewey Beach Area in Delaware and Ocean City MD. In 2010 we will also be serving starting hot spots in Lewes, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. If you live in these cities, reference our coverage maps to see if you have already access in your area.

How fast is my wireless Internet connection?
 

Wireless Beach Access's service provides access speeds up to 1 Mbps downstream (about 18 times faster than dialup) and 256 Kbps upstream.

Is Wireless Beach Access secure? Is my connection secure?

The Wireless Beach Access network operates in 'OPEN' wireless mode. This simply means that you do not need a WEP or WPA key to associate with the access point. All data sent is encrypted by your browser if you are connected to a secure site (any site that begins with https://). To further protect your computer while using Wireless Beach Access' network we advise you to turn on your personal firewall, turnoff file-sharing and ensure your Internet web sites are https enabled for any online transactions. When accessing a secure web site the 'lock' should appear on your browser to confirm you are on an encrypted SSL server.

Can I access my corporate account using this service?

If your company uses a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect you to your corporate network from home you may be able to use Wireless Beach Access service. Our system is not 100% compatible with all VPN software so if this is a requirement you may need to have your IT department contact us prior to attempting to use our service.

What type of connections can I make through the Wireless Beach Access service?


In most cases Wireless Beach Access customers can telnet, SSH, FTP, VPN or access any other type of connections using a broadband Internet connection. We do not guarantee that our network is 100% compatible with all software that use these services. 

What is an SSID?

Also known as "Service Set Identifier or Network Name" an SSID is the name of a Wireless Local Area Network. The SSID for Wireless Beach Access is "Wireless Beach Access". The SSID on wireless clients can be set either manually, by entering the SSID into the client network settings, or automatically, by leaving the SSID unspecified or blank and searching for an SSID with your wireless software. 

Does Wireless Beach Access provide email accounts?

Wireless Beach Access can provide email accounts to customers who subscribe to our yearly service plan. If you require an email account, many companies offer free email, pop-up blocker and other services. We list a few of the most popular services here for your convenience:

MSN Hotmail - free
Yahoo! Mail - free
G-Mail (Google) - free
 
What is signal strength and how does it relate to my network speed?

Signal strength determines whether or not you can connect to the Internet as well as your connection speed. You can view your signal strength using a number of different applications. Windows and Mac OS X provide utilities for managing your wireless connection and displaying signal strength. In addition, there are third party utilities for managing your wireless connection and displaying signal strength.

Can I get the service to work with my existing wireless devices?

If you are within 300 feet of an access point, then your computer should be able to directly receive the signal. To use Wireless Beach Access’s wireless network, configure your wireless network connection to access the "Wireless Beach Access" network (SSID). If you are having difficulty, or are not familiar with this process, there are pages which show you step by step instructions for connecting to Wireless Beach Access’s high speed wireless internet service.

What type of emission or radiation does an access point emit?

802.11 access points emit radio frequencies in the 2.4 GHz ISM bandwidth and the power output is lower than most cellular phones, televisions and radio transmitters. Wireless Beach Access operates within part 15 of the FCC guidelines and adheres to radio frequency safety standards and recommendations. Wireless Beach Access believes 802.11 is safe for use by consumers because these standards and recommendations were developed from the scientific community who still continually review and interpret an extensive amount of research. 


 

 

Still Have Questions, we can be reached Daily from 7 am. until 11 pm.
302-566-5656