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Better range?

Discussion in 'Networking (Hardware & Software)' started by StrahdOmega, 2014/12/01.

  1. 2014/12/01
    StrahdOmega

    StrahdOmega Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hey guys I have a quick question. Would I have better results from a range extender or a new wireless ac router? Right now I have a wireless g router and I am getting ok signal in living room and almost no signal in kitchen. My apartment is 2 floors but the router is only about 60 feet from kitchen (going through 1 floor and no walls) I have a wireless n laptop and tablet and a Roku3. The roku seems fine sometimes and others it has trouble keeping the signal. It will pause and then show the loading icon then tell me my device may not be connected to the internet. I have to go to the main menu and reconnect to my ssid (dont know how to get it to auto reconnect). I had been thinking about an extender for awhile but now I am not sure if I would get better results with the new ac router even though my devices only have g and not ac

    thank you
     
    StrahdOmega,
    #1
  2. 2014/12/01
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Hi StrahdOmega, I Had a similar problem with my wife's PC wireless connection and had thought about an extender and casually mentioned it to my daughter.
    She said she'd had a problem with dropping signal or no signal in her house.
    A day later she arrived to see us and said try this. It's a Netgear WiFi Range Extender WN1000RP and I tried 2 different AC Power outlets and the 2nd one did the job.
    The wife has had no further loss of Internet connection. This would be your cheapest way out. worth a try. ;) Neil.
     
    retiredlearner,
    #2


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  4. 2014/12/01
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi StrahdOmega. If you are still using an 802.11g router then you should install a new router instead of using an extender however a 802.11ac router is not advisable yet, Should You Buy A Wireless 802.11ac Router?

    The 802.11g protocol has a maximum throughput of 54 Megabits per second while the 802.11n protocol has a maximum throughput of 600 Megabits per second. The range of a 802.11g router is about 125 feet while the range if a 802.11n router is about 230 feet indoors.

    I would recommend getting this router as an upgrade over the one you have, NETGEAR WNDR3700-100NAS Wireless Gigabit Open Source Router/ USB port Rangemax 2.4/5GHz Simultaneous N600 Dual Band IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #3
  5. 2014/12/01
    StrahdOmega

    StrahdOmega Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks guys,
    Sorry my post should say I have a N router. How does the one you recommended Evan Omo compare to the one I have (Dlink DIR-655) I have had it since 2011 so this Netgear one is probably much better but will I notice the difference? I have never had a Netgear router before are they easy to configure?
    thank you again
     
    StrahdOmega,
    #4
  6. 2014/12/01
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    The best way to increase range is by adding larger antennas to the router. Many wifi routers have internal antennas and cannot easily be modified. The internal antennas are usually 2-3 dB. Some have external antennas that unscrew. These can be upgraded to 9 or 10 dB antennas.

    Other wifi n routers have 3 external 5 dB antennas and provide excellent range, better than the ones with internal antennas. I recommend this Asus: (no need to change the antennas)

    http://www.microcenter.com/product/382281/RT-N66U_N900_Dual-band_Wireless-N_Router

     
    TonyT,
    #5
  7. 2014/12/01
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    I've always used Netgear routers and they have been great. They are very easy to configure and I've used that exact router at a clients house before so I know they are reliable.

    I've never used your model of router so I can't say which one would be better but based on the specs of the router, the Netgear router includes dual band functionality while the D-link only has the 2.4 Ghz band. Also the Netgear router is newer since the newest version of that model was released in 2013.

    Since you are experiencing wireless connection issues with your current router then its time for an upgrade. You can go with the Netgear router or the Asus one that Tony recommended.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #6
  8. 2014/12/02
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I have had Buffalo, Linksys and D-Link routers, but I now have the ASUS RT-N66U Dual Band N900 Ultra Fast Wireless Router and it is by far the best!
     
    Arie,
    #7
  9. 2014/12/02
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Agreed, best for the money.
    I'm still using a Buffalo with dd-wrt firmware in my office.
    I got my brother that Asus and it is unbelievable. It's setup in a small office/closet surrounded by cinder block walls in his split-level home. He gets good reception anywhere in his house, including the outside patio.
     
    TonyT,
    #8

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