docj

4 hours ago, Kirk W said:

One problem for the long term market is that those who live in rental housing usually do not have access to electricity where they park

It's not just rental housing where this is an issue.  I was looking at my son's townhome community recently and even though he has a front yard it would be awkward to put charging ports there since the cable from the vehicle would have to lie across a common sidewalk and would be a trip-hazard.  It's a solvable problem but would require new sidewalks and lots of wiring.

5 hours ago, DanZemke said:

But when I compared policy prices for ages much older than me the cost-effectiveness stayed about the same.  High price plans remained high-priced for folks 20 years older.

I don't disagree with your conclusion.  What I was saying is that the CT table is misleading because it cites prices for plans without noting that the prices can change significantly depending on a person's age.  It's not clear to me why someone would issue a table relating to an age-dependent premium without at least noting that the premiums quoted were for a person of a specific age and gender.  

35 minutes ago, Blues said:

And if plans are standardized, why are the premiums so different?  For Plan A, they range from $204.17 up to $1,519.42, depending on the company. 

Some plans are community rated, some are based on your current age.   The Connecticut table doesn't appear to have a reference age which makes me question its value in helping you make a selection.  

1 hour ago, Kirk W said:

There are also companies that assist folks in finding the best match which operate in a way very similar to a travel agency, where they are paid by the insurance company and add nothing to the cost. A couple of examples are AON and Via Benefits, but there are several others. There is really nothing that they do which you couldn't do yourself, but they have already done the research and usually are very helpful. 

We use Via Benefits through my previous employer.  I just did our plan analysis for 2022; it took less than 30 minutes because all our Rx data had already been on file.  I find using them especially helpful when I want to, for example, change from one Part D carrier to a different one.  The entire process is automated and doesn't involve  me having to look up anything.

2 hours ago, DanZemke said:

For me, $1,100/year turned out to be much better than $6,000 a year.

  I don't know where you got $6,000/yr from but my Plan F supplement now costs me about $3k/yr and, of course, it covers pretty much everything.  So your cost comparison should be more like $1,100/yr compared to $3k/yr.  My Part D AARP prescription plan is ~$350/yr but I don't think that was included in your comparison.

Until this 2021 I would have been ahead if I had used your approach, but this year my knee replacement and subsequent PT would have wiped out a lot of the accrued savings to date.  

Like any insurance policy it's all a matter of how much risk you are willing to handle on your own.  Since the chances are good that one's medical needs will increase with increasing age, I'm content to let Medicare take all the risk.  JMO.

2 hours ago, Jaydrvr said:

If you go back and read his posts, Glenn doesn't actually use any prescription drugs, therefore absolutely no point in getting more than a very basic plan. Jay

My post was relative to Bill Joyce's comment not Glenn's.  As a senior, Glenn is very lucky that he uses to no prescription drugs.  That's definitely not true of most Medicare recipients.  

On 10/10/2021 at 9:43 AM, Bill Joyce said:

Probably the same Aetna Silverscript Part D I have.  My cost is $6.30/month and it runs through Caremark and I get 90 day supplies through Costco Pharmacy. 

With all due respect, choosing a Part D plan on the basis of just the month premium is isn't wise unless you have very few prescriptions and/or no expensive ones.  We use an analysis website  to calculate the annualized cost of each plan including premiums and co-pays.   For the meds we take there can be thousands of dollars of difference in the total annual costs across all available plans.   It's my understanding that a similar comparison can be created using just the tools available on the Medicare website.

3 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Nothing new about them, it is a way that any society sets minimum standards that benefit all.  

As has been repeatedly mentioned on the news, George Washington had his troops vaccinated against smallpox so they would have an edge on the British troops.

I wonder how many of Washington's men went to see him to discuss the fairness of his mandate?  "Err, Mr. Washington, sir, I really object to this vaccination mandate.  You're being just as autocratic as that wretched King George!"  I'll bet that went over real well!  😁

5 hours ago, rynosback said:

I have had this same firmware update for a couple of years. Works fine, but Wifi Ranger states:

Support for 5G cellular
Software improvements now deliver faster internet speeds
Faster overall control panel command response
More intuitive control panel interface (clearer messaging and simplified logic)
Simplified access to control panel using automatic redirect
Easier control panel access from smartphones (both iOS and Android)
Automated login to filtered sites
More accurate and faster speed tests
Multiple “bug fixes” and general enhancements

All those claims are true.  This is definitely an improved firmware package.

20 minutes ago, redparadox said:

I just got our brand new 2022 Forest River Microlite 21FBRS this past Friday (9/17/21).  The WiFiRanger unit was pre-installed.  I went through the setup, registration, and connected it to our home WiFi (a solid mesh WiFi 6 setup).   After I got it connected, it suggested, the firmware update just like the original author of this thread.   I’m not sure what happened during the update, but it certainly did not work.

I’ve tried the factory reset sequence a couple of different times, but still nothing.  No SSID being broadcast, nothing. I did log a ticket with support, so hopeful there is some trick to get this thing working again.  Very disappointing experience on the first go-round with this unit.  I’m not even sure where the unit is?  There is just the switch on the inside of the door with the default SSID, etc.

I'm sorry you are having difficulties with your Ranger.  What kind of internet source were you using when you were doing the update on the Ranger?  Was it a park WiFi or were you using a cellular hotspot or your home WiFi?

FWIW the Ranger is in a small white "box" on your roof. It's about the size of a thick book.

My first suggestion is to try the factory reset procedure once or twice more.  The timings are very important; you must use a timer or stopwatch. 

If you can't get it reset then the next thing to do is to call your RV dealer.  Since you have a new RV, the Ranger will be under warranty and they can arrange for a replacement circuit board to be sent.

35 minutes ago, trailertraveler said:

I do not think the Go's will update beyond the 7.0.8 firmware. I have two Go's and both are running the 7.0.8 and show no updates available when I have checked for updates.

At present only our Converge series of WiFiRanger routers are automatically being updated.  Our other models are being handled manually to ensure that they can support the new firmware.

If you provide me the ID numbers of your Rangers I can "point" them at the update.

7 hours ago, rynosback said:

I got the email a couple of days ago and my GO AC will not update. I have Firmware Phantom 7.0.8

At present only our Converge series of WiFiRanger routers are automatically being updated.  Our other models are being handled manually to ensure that they can support the new firmware.

If you let me know the ID numbers of your Ranger(s), I can point them at the update.

I would have thought that since you have been using your Spruce you might have had some idea what the ID number was.  It appears you will have to arrange to send it back to WiFiRanger to be reflashed.

3 hours ago, trailertraveler said:

however the ID on my Spruce is not six digits it is 3 letters, 2 numbers and a letter (RBD52G).

With all due respect that's not the Spruce's ID number.  You're probably reading a number off of the plastic case, but the actual Ranger ID is displayed in the upper right corner of every page of the Ranger's control panel.  The last four digits of this number are the numbers you use when accessing the Ranger's control panel.

1 hour ago, trailertraveler said:

I got an email from WIfI Ranger that there was a firmware update, My Spruce had been running for several days and stated update available. I cllcked on the update bar. The download started and stopped at 5%. The control panel said Cloud not available try again. I could not get back to the control panel. My computer says unidentified network or identifying and the notice keeps appearing and disappearing as if the router is going on and off. I tried resetting to defaults with no effect. The spruce seems to bbe bricked. 

Do you have a rooftop Ranger in addition to the Spruce?  If so that device may allow your Spruce to be revived.

In any case, please open a ticket with WiFiRanger customer support so we can help you get back online.  Be sure to include the Spruce's 6-digit ID number.

When updating a WiFiRanger's firmware it is important to use a strong, stable internet connection such as a cellular hotspot or tethered phone, or your home WiFi.  It is inadvisable to use a campground for this purpose because interruption during the update process can cause serious issues.

As for this current update, it is an extremely important one.  One key improvement is the implementation of an innovative software approach which provides for much faster download and upload speeds.  

At the moment owners of Converge series WiFiRanger routers will automatically see the update.  But many other models can successfully load it; all you need to do is call or email WiFiRanger support and provide them the 6-digit ID number of your Ranger.  If you have both indoor and rooftop Rangers, both IDs are necessary.

1 hour ago, hemsteadc said:

Seems odd to have a will-call facility but they won't deliver to it.   Isn't there a shipping place or mailbox service anywhere in this town?

I think the issue is the definition of "delivered."  Just two weeks ago I had a FedEx package diverted to one of its Will Call facilities because my local TX mail service wasn't going to be open on the Labor Day weekend.  I sat around waiting for a text saying it had been delivered, but none ever came.  Instead I received a confusing text stating that my package would be delivered by the following Wednesday!!  I called the 800-number only to discover that the package was at the Will Call facility.  When I picked it up from there a few minutes later I did receive a text stating that it was "delivered."

What I deduced was that FedEx doesn't treat packages being held at a Will Call as having been delivered.  So you can't put that address down as a delivery address.  But you should be able to use a local address as the "delivery address" but then request that the package be held at the Will Call facility.

Does that make your head spin? 😂 

On 9/15/2021 at 12:10 AM, RV_ said:

You didn't like that Germany is fast approaching 30% EVs either. 

Please don't ever infer what you think I like and dislike.  I am in favor of conversion to non-polluting vehicles, which includes EVs.  What I have objected to is some of the excessive, nearly messianic, hype that some of their supporters exude.

As for Germany, the attached graph doesn't appear to show a 30% market penetration for Ev's.  EV's in Germany

6 hours ago, RV_ said:

I believe they are on the grid and built up enough wind power to run the trains.

Of course, that is how they operate. In reality the trains don't "really" run on electrons produced by wind energy.  It's simply that the total kW-h of energy need to run the trains is less than the total energy generated by wind power.

IMHO articles with this sort of headline are not much more than "clickbait".   Yes, wind power is an important part of the grid in the Netherlands but the trains wouldn't run well if they had to rely solely on wind power without a grid to back them up.  A modern electric grid is composed of a mix of generation capacity with renewable energy now taking a major role.

Although I don't have personal experience with DirecTV Streaming, we do use several streaming services including YouTube TV, Netflix, Acorn, Britbox, Prime Video and HBO MAX.   What I've noticed is that some services are better than others with respect to the buffering issue. 

In my experience, Netflix is the best of them with an uncanny ability to work without rebuffering.  But I've also noticed that Netflix appears to be more aggressive than most with respect to reducing video resolution to accommodate changes in bandwidth.  By way of contrast, YouTube TV is slow to reduce (or increase) video resolution which can lead to repeated buffering before the system finally decides to reduce your bandwidth.

9 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Ours is almost 20 years old.

Ours is now 21 years old and is in great condition.  No one has ever asked us about its age and, if they did, that would be the kind of park we probably wouldn't want to stay at anyway.

Over the ~10 years we've had Coachnet we've had a couple of occasions where they found us diesel mechanics in places we weren't familiar with.  Fortunately, the problem that was causing that need has now been resolved. 

But just two years ago they had to help us get extracted from axle-deep mud in an out-of-the-way location on Prince Edward Island on Canada Day of all things!  They were super and we were freed in less than 2 hours start to finish.

The difference between Coachnet and a less expensive plan is ~$100-150/yr and I'll gladly continue to pay for it just to for the peace of mind! JMO

We're getting our flu shots this week.  We still have to wait until the ~20th to get a COVID booster and I like the idea of giving this aging body a bit of a break.

20 minutes ago, rpsinc said:

I was trying not to go down that rabbit hole, but since you asked: my understanding is that LEOs can interpret the registration to mean that since the LLC is a business(interpretation) then commercial rules apply(interpretation) to the use of the RV.

You're free to believe whatever you wish but ownership by an LLC does not imply that the vehicle is used for commercial purposes.  The purpose of the LLC, as stated in its registration papers with the State of MT is solely to own property.  It is insured by Progressive at standard "personal use" rates and they are well aware of its ownership.

27 minutes ago, rpsinc said:

WILL have to comply with all the regulations required for a commercial enterprise. 

With all due respect, I'm not sure what you mean by this, but vehicles owned by MT LLC's are not required to comply with rules for commercial vehicles.  This is yet another piece of misinformation that frequently circulates on the internet.