Trying to improve my wireless signal around the house. What components do I need?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
R

rebelx

Distinguished
Mar 18, 2012
177
0
18,690
Hello, I have the following components:

1. a Sprint AC "wifi connect" router (I believe it's a rebranded Asus AC66u)
2. d-link DHP-309av powerline
3. And thinking about getting a repeater like the TP-Link TL-WR700N or the TP-Link N150.

My router currently is pumping out a 2.4 and 5ghz signal.

We have the powerline working well with the laptop in the kitchen area, however, that means the cell phone (on wifi only) often can't keep a signal reliably. The PS4 also has very slow download speed.


My questions are as follows:

1. Will having a non-AC repeater (the TP-Link devices) working on the same network repeating the 2.4 and/or 5ghz signals interfere with the overall "AC" network from the router?
2. Would I just connect the powerline into the TP-Link devices?
3. Would these TP-Link devices solve my connection issues?

If there's another model that would do it better than the TP-Link, I'm all ears! Budget is probably $25 max. Don't want to spend too much on it as it's basically only for 1-2 devices.

EDIT 1: Do I need something like this TP-Link AC750 Dual Band wifi Range Extender instead?

EDIT 2: OK, apparently, in my OP, I initially described creating an Access Point, whereas my EDIT 1 is actually a wifi repeater.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
W

weberdarren97

Glorious
Aug 10, 2015
8,137
6
45,615
1) Depends on the channel. If it's broadcasting on a separate channel, then no interference.

2) Yes, except I do not recommend TP-Link.

3) I don't really expect a product made by TP-Link to solve any real world problems.

If you place this device close to the edge of the Sprint WiFi range, it will amplify and rebroadcast the signal under your own specified network name and channel. Supports 300mbps.

In response to EDIT 1: You want something like that, but made by a higher quality manufacturer.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

rebelx

Distinguished
Mar 18, 2012
177
0
18,690


Thanks for the response! You would still get a wireless repeater instead of a router thing acting as an access point after connecting my powerline to it?

I have no problem switching brands to TP-Link. They just had a lot of entries on amazon, so I went with that.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

rebelx

Distinguished
Mar 18, 2012
177
0
18,690


Sure, no problem. I agree my post is a little confusing, likely because I'm not sure exactly what I need/want.

So my concern at this time is fixing the wireless deadzone that affects a cell phone in one part of the house. At the same time, I want to also increase my PS4's download speeds (PS4 is located in the same area).

When I was browsing Amazon, I came across a wifi range extender and the portable router solutions. I found that if you have a portable router (such as the TP-Link WR700N), that you can plug in an ethernet cable to it and the router will broadcast the wireless signal.

Alternatively, I could buy a wifi range extender and plug it into the wall without needing any ethernet cables.

From what I understand from the forum posts that I've read today, a wifi range extender may not be the best solution because it is taking a weak wifi signal and trying to rebroadcast it. The portable router solution connected via the powerline ethernet cable, may be a better solution.

I wanted to confirm whether getting a portable router (and using as an access point?) would be a better solution than the wifi range extender.

The other thing I notice is that the portable router will only broadcast a 2.4 signal, whereas my router is providing a 2.4 and 5ghz signal. I guess that's not a terrible trade off if it means that I can get a reliable wireless signal.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

weberdarren97

Glorious
Aug 10, 2015
8,137
6
45,615
Here's the thing... If it's clear of interference and you're not paying for more than 300Mbps up and down, then you'll see very little benefit from 5GHz. 5GHz really shows its usefulness in business connections running at connection speeds above 300Mbps. I don't think being locked to 2.4GHz is going to be much of a problem.

As for the Powerline Ethernet and router, that seems like a more solid idea, especially if you're experiencing signal degradation from your current WiFi devices. If your signal is degrading over the distance of only a few rooms, then boosting the broadcast will not yield the clearest signal. However, if the signal is clear and the only problem is that it's weak, then a range extender can boost that and broadcast it again.

It comes down to this: Are you willing to have a few more devices like Powerline injectors/receivers and a router/access point? If that doesn't bother you, then I think that the Powerline method is the way to go.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom