A system, comprising: a welding power supply unit; one or more welding-related devices, wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding wire feeder, a welding torch, a welding helmet, a welding pendant, or a welding foot pedal; and a master node device comprising: wireless communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with the welding power supply unit and with the one or more welding-related devices, characterized in that the communication circuitry is configured to communicate with the welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link having a transmission range of 91,4 m (300 feet) or more from the master node device to the welding power supply unit, and with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network having a transmission range of 6,0 - 7,6 m (20-25 feet) from the master node device; the master node device further comprising control circuitry configured to continuously improve reliability of wireless communications between the communication circuitry and the one or more welding-related devices via the short-range wireless communication network by allowing association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network only if the welding-related devices include authorization credentials that indicate the welding-related devices may be used with the master node device, the master node device acting as a router and prioritization controller. a welding power supply unit; one or more welding-related devices, wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding wire feeder, a welding torch, a welding helmet, a welding pendant, or a welding foot pedal; and a master node device comprising: wireless communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with the welding power supply unit and with the one or more welding-related devices, characterized in that the communication circuitry is configured to communicate with the welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link having a transmission range of 91,4 m (300 feet) or more from the master node device to the welding power supply unit, and with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network having a transmission range of 6,0 - 7,6 m (20-25 feet) from the master node device; the master node device further comprising control circuitry configured to continuously improve reliability of wireless communications between the communication circuitry and the one or more welding-related devices via the short-range wireless communication network by allowing association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network only if the welding-related devices include authorization credentials that indicate the welding-related devices may be used with the master node device, the master node device acting as a router and prioritization controller. wireless communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with the welding power supply unit and with the one or more welding-related devices, characterized in that the communication circuitry is configured to communicate with the welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link having a transmission range of 91,4 m (300 feet) or more from the master node device to the welding power supply unit, and with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network having a transmission range of 6,0 - 7,6 m (20-25 feet) from the master node device; the master node device further comprising control circuitry configured to continuously improve reliability of wireless communications between the communication circuitry and the one or more welding-related devices via the short-range wireless communication network by allowing association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network only if the welding-related devices include authorization credentials that indicate the welding-related devices may be used with the master node device, the master node device acting as a router and prioritization controller.