Best wireless router for long range.

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thedude300

thedude300

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Jul 10, 2011
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As the title states. I need a router that has very good long range for wireless. It needs to be able to go from the basement to the top floor. I currently have a E2500 router. I also have a old D link 150N router. I heard you can use the old router to boost the signal higher and father with programs for the router.. does anyone know if this will work well and how to do it or is it worth more just getting a good router.
 
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B
What I believe you are talking about is making it a wireless repeater.
While this sounds good, in reality it is not. A repeater has to split its bandwidth between talking to the primary router and talking to the clients (computers/phones/tablets). This creates a very noticeable drop in performance.

What you want is to use the second router as an access point. An access point is a wireless/wired extension of your primary router and you can configure any router to be an access point by setting its IP/subnet/gateway/DNS addresses and turning off DHCP server.
Now an access point requires a direct connection from your router, here is the options from ideal to ok:
1) Ethernet wire from router to access point
2) Powerline networking...
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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What I believe you are talking about is making it a wireless repeater.
While this sounds good, in reality it is not. A repeater has to split its bandwidth between talking to the primary router and talking to the clients (computers/phones/tablets). This creates a very noticeable drop in performance.

What you want is to use the second router as an access point. An access point is a wireless/wired extension of your primary router and you can configure any router to be an access point by setting its IP/subnet/gateway/DNS addresses and turning off DHCP server.
Now an access point requires a direct connection from your router, here is the options from ideal to ok:
1) Ethernet wire from router to access point
2) Powerline networking adapter to go from router to access point. Tp-link makes a decent 500mbps kit for $40
3) A wireless bridge to receive wifi signal from primary router and then plug into access point.

The cost of option 2 is less then the cost of option 3 and is better so it makes 2 a no-brainer over 3.
 
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mcnumpty23

mcnumpty23

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Jul 15, 2011
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yes its technically possible to use a second router as a repeater--possibly depending on the router supporting it

but never tried so dont know what settings you need to use

my solution was just to make a home made biquad aerial for the pc furthest away from the router

biquads are cheap and simple to make and give a huge increase in signal strength and range
 
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thedude300

thedude300

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Jul 10, 2011
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So, regardless. For 1 and 2 I am using a cable to plug into my router to the Access point or power line? Meaning I will have to run a cable up to the second floor at least to a close by outlet for the Tp link?


EDIT: Okay, I think I get the powerline trick and I think I'm going to go with that option. I plug my router into the first link with a ethernetcable and then I can plug more into other outlets with out wires.
 
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ChicagoRob

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Nov 17, 2014
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There is a way you can boost the signal of your wireless router, but it requires external antennas. The first way is to replace the standard omnidirectional antennas with higher gain antennas. The challenge with omnidirectional antennas is they lose power exponentially over distance (they broadcast signal in all directions).

Another method is to replace the omni-directional antenna with a directional antenna. Instead of a signal radiating in all directions, it is directed in one. The challenge here is that you must be in the path of the signal for it to work, but we did this many years back and hit 6 miles (it was a strong wireless router and a big antenna!).

I'd suggest going the first route with a higher gain replacement antenna and placing in a middle floor. If that doesn't work, I'd go a two router solution. Good luck!
 
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