Inconsistent signal from Wireless-N WiFi Repeater

Jeremy Farrell

Honorable
Jul 15, 2013
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10,510
Hi. I have a Wireless-N WiFi Repeater (no manufacturer name) which seems to pick up a reasonable signal from the Router, but then the 'repeated' signal strength ranges from 80% at time of connection and hunts between 60 - 40% and then drops the line. When I plug straight in with LAN cable I am fine.

This is my second such Repeater with exactly the same problem - even if I have laptop right next to the Repeater.

Any ideas?

Thanks, J.
 
Solution


It depends on the make and model of the repeater. The 50% reduction in bandwidth is not always the case depending on the number of radios (not antennas) the repeater...
Are you running a cable to the repeater or using WI-FI to connect? If you are using the WI-FI, 50% of the antenna will be dedicated to connecting to the originating source, and 50% to deliver signal out. Depending upon incoming signal consistency, it can have a dramatic impact on the outgoing signal.

I have found it is always better to connect a repeater via wired connection to the LAN, and use it to broadcast.

Option #2 - Have two routers, the first to connect to the LAN via wireless, then use a lan cable to bridge to the 2nd router, and use that to broadcast.
 

fyrye

Honorable
Jul 1, 2013
136
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10,760


It depends on the make and model of the repeater. The 50% reduction in bandwidth is not always the case depending on the number of radios (not antennas) the repeater has. It will incur some bandwidth loss normally 20% but should not affect signal strength or loss.

The configuration of using an ethernet cable to the device to offer WiFi service is Access Point mode, the reverse is called Bridging (taking wifi and making it wired.) Not all devices/routers support these configurations.
I agree Access Point is much more efficient and easier to manage than repeating.

It sounds like there is interference or the router you are using does not support forwarding to a repeater.

What router make and model are you using? Your router may be incompatible with the repeater or misconfigured.
Is there a serial number anywhere on the repeater?
 
Solution