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Flight Customer Journey Guide

This document contains information and links to other articles detailing installation, initial set-up, and troubleshooting.

Flight Customer Journey Roadmap

Purchasing

How do I order a Flight Modem

  1. Verify Part # using the Flight Part Number Selection Tool (See What is the Modem Part# below))

  2. All orders should include a:

    1. Modem HW part number and

    2. Data Plan Part number

  3. Submit request to orders@aquaphoenixsci.com

  4. If unsure as to part number, contact Austin Sharp or Ron Parks for confirmation and provide output from Flight Part Number Selection Tool for continuous improvement.

Special Handle Situations

  1. No Active SIM on Modem Shipment

    1. CH20 and Water One are two Examples

  2. Monthly Billing request rather than Yearly

    1. Requires special part# indicating Monthly renewals rather than the standard Yearly renewals.

What is the Modem Part #s, Data Plan Part #s and Costs

If you do not have permissions, contact Ron Parks.

The part numbers listed here are the default part numbers. Some customers get different Part numbers and pricing dependent upon location and fleet size. See Ron Parks if unsure of part number selection.

Modem Installation (Getting Started)

Modem Installation

Modem Installation and General Controller Setup:

What does a Perfect Install look like?

  • Device added to Flight Dashboard and communicating (Green icon)

  • Device is properly named

  • Device is tagged with Renewal date and controller Manufacture at a minimum

  • Device physical Location entered on Location Tab

  • Controller link has been created and controller is Reachable (green)

  • Controller name has been updated to include the controller SN

  • Controller is tagged with Make and Model of controller

  • Modem FW has been updated to current version

  • Modem Reboot policy set based on Time zone

  • Notifications setup for Offline modems

  • At least one customer user added to Flight Platform

  • QR Code has been scanned, and customer has updated the install information

Customer Activation QR Form

Scanning the QR code on the inside of the modem lid

Controller Setup by Manufacturer

APS modem configuration and settings are designed to connect to any compatible controller. However, the controller’s Ethernet settings must be updated to enable modem access. The links below guide you through the process.

  • Pulsafeeder EX Controllers:

    • These controllers are not designed to be accessed locally through a standard web interface. Because the controller does not host or output its own webpage, Flight RMS cannot generate remote access links to it. Instead, these controllers are designed to connect to Pulsafeeder’s cloud platform, PULSAlink, which serves as the primary interface for remote monitoring and control. As a result, any browser-based access must occur through PULSAlink rather than through a direct connection to the controller itself.

Modem Operation

Antenna Options

Generating a Controller Link in Flight RMS

Billing and Renewal

End-of-Life

General Education

What does Flight Onboarding Look like

When a customer purchases a modem for the first time (Greenfield) or if the decide to upgrade their current fleet to Flight (Brownfield), here is what the customer can expect to begin the journey.

How do I know a Cellular Modem will work

Flight is plug-and-play in most North American locations because it ships preconfigured with a Kajeet smart SIM that uses a single APN and automatically connects on Verizon, then AT&T, then T-Mobile. The main risk isn’t coverage—it’s installation in signal-blocking environments (sealed concrete/metal rooms, underground areas, etc.). If signal is weak, we can perform a site survey to identify the best antenna location and, in rare cases, lock the modem to a specific carrier/tower/band for the most difficult installs. For international sites, we match a country-certified Teltonika router with the appropriate Kajeet SIM/APN configuration to ensure a successful plug-and-play connection.

AquaPhoenix can help by:

  1. 1.Quick on-site signal check (fastest)

    1. Before final mounting, do a quick check near the intended location:

    2. Confirm there is at least a stable cellular signal where the modem/antenna will live.

  2. Cell tower visibility check (planning support)

    1. We can use the CellMapper web application to better understand:

      1. nearby towers

      2. Likely carrier coverage in that area

      3. This can help set expectations and reduce installation guesswork.

  3. Site survey support (best for challenging installations)

    1. If your location is difficult (e.g., below grade, heavy shielding), we have a site survey tool that helps identify the best antenna position to capture a reliable signal—even if the modem itself must remain in a less ideal area.

Other option which are rarely used include:

Advanced optimization (rarely needed)

  • In the most difficult environments, we can configure the modem to “prefer” or “lock” onto:

    • a specific carrier

    • a specific tower

    • a specific band

  • This approach is only recommended in edge cases because it can reduce the modem’s ability to automatically switch to a better network if conditions change.

International locations

  • For international deployments, we improve plug-and-play success by matching:

    • a Teltonika router certified for the target country

    • the correct Kajeet SIM/APN configuration for that country/region

    • This pairing helps ensure the modem/router is compliant locally and optimized for connectivity

Top 5 Reasons Modems Fail & Solutions

  1. Modem Placement (40%)

    1. Modem/Antenna placement

    2. General Cellular Coverage in the Area

  2. Antenna Problems (5%)

    1. Not installed or not tightened

    2. Cable/Coax issues on extensions

    3. Not properly grounded

  3. Power Issues (40%)

    1. Outlets

    2. Cabling

  4. SIM Provisioning (10%)

    1. Activation

    2. APN issues

    3. LEDs are on but SIM not connecting

  5. Network-side Issues (5%)

    1. Network congestion

    2. Interference (Noise)

    3. Carrier behavior

SUMMARY: Modems can fail to connect for many reasons, but the same common issues tend to repeat from site to site.

AquaPhoenix has the tools and expertise to diagnose these scenarios quickly and recommend a path to reliable connectivity, whether that’s a simple adjustment (relocating the modem or antenna, verifying power and cabling, confirming registration) or, in more challenging environments, a more robust solution. In rare cases, achieving dependable service may require a modest capital investment—such as extending or relocating an external antenna to a location with stronger cellular signal—to ensure consistent performance.

Diagnosing a Poor Cellular Signal

If you are experiencing connectivity issues, most Flight modems are equipped with a Kajeet SmartSIM. This allows us to switch your modem between the three largest US cellular carriers: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Which enables us to find the strongest signal in the modems area.

We also provide a range of antennas, signal boosters and mounting options to help improve the cellular signal to your modem. Refer to the chart below for what can be purchased through us.

Top 5 Reasons Controllers Fail to Send Data & Solutions

  1. IP/Subnet Mismatch

    1. Still at factory reset

    2. Modem/Controller mismatch

  2. DHCP Enabled (or wrong gateway chosen)

  3. Webserver setting not enabled

    1. HTTPS vs HTTP

  4. Physical Ethernet Link Problem

    1. Bad/loose cable

    2. Bad Ethernet card or LAN port

  5. Walchem Fluent / Live Connect not enabled

    1. Network congestion

    2. Interference (Noise)

    3. Carrier behavior

  6. Outbound Ports/DNS Blocked

    1. Modem/Antenna placement

    2. General Cellular Coverage in the Area

  7. Edge Case: Firmware/ version compatibility

    1. Upgrade FW

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Customer Success at (888) 455-6641

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