RV WiFi - ZBT-WG209 5G router support?

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hi team,

I’m a long time lurker of OpenWRT and have used it with previous routers but never posted before.

I current have a ZBT-WG209 5G router that is branded as “RV WiFi 5G” and has :

MediaTek MT7621 ver:1 eco:3 Processor
Quectel RM520N-GL 5G modem
64/128 Memory

I’m looking to see if this model is supported on the most recent builds, as currently it is running LEDE Reboot SNAPSHOT 17.01 22.0714_114130

I’d really like to ensure an up to date version is running (from a system security perspective) as well as add the ability to enable further addons to be installed (like Travelmate).

Thanks,
Shane.

2

ZBT-WG209 is unsupported. And what the original firmware runs is not LEDE, but a bastardized fork of it, possibly waiting for a trademark lawsuit.

3

Ok thanks. As it uses chipsets that are used in other supported devices - what needs to be done to get it supported or at least functional?

4
5

Wow that is beyond my skills.

I’ve communicated with RV WiFi Australia and they are looking to work with OpenWRT developers to create an up to date official build for the device.

Not sure how I can speed that along.

6

It looks like the ROOTer team have a build working with the ZBT WG209 in their pre-release build.

I believe it requires soldering the 0R watchdog on the main board to allow it to work - I'm checking with RV WiFi at the moment if their board is pre-soldered before I open my unit.

Edit: Not pre-soldered. Pads to solder according to ROOTer team:
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/3vx1k1r3?p=1653#r73500378

Next up I'll try the ROOTer pre-release Golden Orb build. Would be great to have an official OpenWRT build running seeing ROOTer (based on OpenWRT) is supposedly working.

7

As the modem card is removable from the router, you could swap it into a supported model bought with no modem such as the very common (and also MT7621 based) WE-3526. It appears that a M2 to miniPCIe adapter may be necessary if the setup you have is not already using one. Most of the money in this project is in the 5G modem card.

8

I’ll look into it. However:

As I’m using this in an RV, the WG209 with 8 antenna connections allows internal and external of the RV antenna connections for WiFi and 5G.

I have high gain roof mounted 5G antenna along with 2.4/5 WiFi antennas.

Moving to another unit without these connectors is not ideal.

This RV WiFi unit is also being installed as standard in many caravans and RV’s here in Australia from the caravan manufacturers - so I assume more people over time will look for new firmware and official OpenWRT support would be preferable.