Wi-Fi Range Extender Recoms.

[4bee]

The connection of our Wireless BB has created another foreseen but was on the cards problem with range now the main Modem was relocated against my better judgement (but would 'er indoors listen? oh noooooo)[bigsad] So purchased a D-link DAP 1650 from Office Works. Told the bloke we just wanted a simple to setup thing ie. plug & play with the electronics doing all the calculating & sorting out. Bloody thing is more or less the same setting up as previous "Plug into a Power point" types we have considered previously but were too crappy to install. So then, has anyone got some recommendations on what is a simple & reliable gizmo?. The latest one cost aprox $147 [bighmmm] but I would prefer that to be the maximum & not convinced a $1000 would be any better either. Anyway, it's going back on the next Stage Coach to Dodge. Talking to Mick's Asian friends is no help 'cos they are difficult to understand & no, there apparently was no one there that could assist us & a promised phone call within 10 minutes never happened.. In theory the D-Link should work ok but it seems to be in the setting up that is giving me the Heeby Jeebies & to get a Tech out will cost a motsa. Your recoms would be appreciated.


Beginning to think running a cable may be the only way to go.

Thanks.

[NavyDiver]

Your DAP-1650 you have looks to have very reasonable specks- its not new or latest and greatest of course Have a look at video, Running a cat6e cable would be best if you can.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIwTVw6VfAs

I have a TP-LINK AC750 Wireless Range Extender $69 ish or less works well and is very easy to link "IF" your router has WPS.

[4bee]

JEEZUZ Diver what kept you?[biggrin]



My problem is, well according to 'er indoors there are a few others but she would say that, I don't profess to understand all that needs to go on. Maybe I have IT Blindness? The bloke I spoke to at Officeworks reckoned he coud set it up in "5 shakes of a lamb's tail." I hadn't heard that one in many years. But he doesn't do "Foreignees".


I'm wondering also if the structure (an old now renovated Motor shed attached to the house of GI) is part or all of the problem as well. Maybe wireless may never work properly here now things have changed.? The modem is only about 10 m away from my computer through a large window & not quite line of sight but I assume the signal can bounce through the window where the Modem is?

I certainly don't want to be back & forth swapping Extenders over.

If I wanted air con in it, no probs, but this noo fangled stuff.... I dunno. [bighmmm]

WPS? Yes it does but that didn't make it any easier.

[goingbush]

I've had a crappy Wavlink for the last 12 months, one of these .

https://www.ebay.com.au/p/705758176

plug it in press a button , done . works a treat , ping is slower but whats an extra 25ms between friends .

I have just moved it to the garage to extend wifi to the shed so my google Nest security camera has a good solid signal.
I also have a top shelf Apple wifi extender from 10 years ago but stuffed If I can reconfigure it for the NBN.

I used to do this stuff for a job but seems I've forgotten all I learned during 30 years at Telstra. Love the Nest cameras , scan the QR code and they set them selves up , this new tech stuff is unbelievably easy to configure.

[NavyDiver]

JEEZUZ Diver what kept you?[biggrin]



My problem is, well according to 'er indoors there are a few others but she would say that, I don't profess to understand all that needs to go on. Maybe I have IT Blindness? The bloke I spoke to at Officeworks reckoned he coud set it up in "5 shakes of a lamb's tail." I hadn't heard that one in many years. But he doesn't do "Foreignees".


I'm wondering also if the structure (an old now renovated Motor shed attached to the house of GI) is part or all of the problem as well. Maybe wireless may never work properly here now things have changed.? The modem is only about 10 m away from my computer through a large window & not quite line of sight but I assume the signal can bounce through the window where the Modem is?

I certainly don't want to be back & forth swapping Extenders over.

If I wanted air con in it, no probs, but this noo fangled stuff.... I dunno. [bighmmm]

WPS? Yes it does but that didn't make it any easier.

WPS button makes every thing easy [thumbsupbig]

10m should be close enough. Glass shouldn't kill a half decent wifi router.

[p38arover]

I previously tried a D-Link DAP-1320 range extender. Speed was severely compromised so I gave up on that idea.

I ran a Cat5E cable from my modem/router in the back room (where the broadband cable enters), under the house to the lounge room. I plugged that into my old D-Link DIR-645 router which was set to the same SSID as the modem/router. Moving from room to room is painless.

Excellent speed throughout the house even at 2.4GHz.

A couple of weeks ago, the NBN was installed. Now the NBN NCD and the ISP modem/router are installed in the lounge room.

So the role of the under-house Cat5E has been reversed and connects from the lounge modem/router to the D-Link DIR-645 which is now in the back room. My desktop and printers connect to the DIR-645. Again, both routers use the same SSID.
My wife's Mac and printer connect by ethernet cable to the lounge router so she's happy, she's now getting a 49Mbps connection. One of the other LAN connections goes to the Fetch Mighty in the lounge room.

The lounge WiFi is both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, the back room is only 2.4GHz but that's not an issue but the 5GHz WiFi is brilliant for speed (over 500Mbps) so is no longer a limiting factor.

The old D-Link DAP-1320 is in the garage up the backyard and gives me connectivity to the home network/internet if I need it even though it's slow.

[goingbush]

WPS button makes every thing easy [thumbsupbig]

10m should be close enough. Glass shouldn't kill a half decent wifi router.


One thing I remember from my Telco days, Glass is no problem but double brick walls & Indoor Aquariums / Fishponds kill wifi signals. If you have a solid brick house you need multiple repeaters .

Also as a hack try a reflector behind the modem in the direction you want boosted.


https://youtu.be/tonZeKP-Mi4

[4bee]

I previously tried a D-Link DAP-1320 range extender. Speed was severely compromised so I gave up on that idea.

I ran a Cat5E cable from my modem/router in the back room (where the broadband cable enters), under the house to the lounge room. I plugged that into my old D-Link DIR-645 router which was set to the same SSID as the modem/router. Moving from room to room is painless.

Excellent speed throughout the house even at 2.4GHz.

A couple of weeks ago, the NBN was installed. Now the NBN NCD and the ISP modem/router are installed in the lounge room.

So the role of the under-house Cat5E has been reversed and connects from the lounge modem/router to the D-Link DIR-645 which is now in the back room. My desktop and printers connect to the DIR-645. Again, both routers use the same SSID.
My wife's Mac and printer connect by ethernet cable to the lounge router so she's happy, she's now getting a 49Mbps connection. One of the other LAN connections goes to the Fetch Mighty in the lounge room.

The lounge WiFi is both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, the back room is only 2.4GHz but that's not an issue but the 5GHz WiFi is brilliant for speed (over 500Mbps) so is no longer a limiting factor.

The old D-Link DAP-1320 is in the garage up the backyard and gives me connectivity to the home network/internet if I need it even though it's slow.


It is alright for some Ron. [smilebigeye] Your previous job would have had you a bit familiar with all this hooey. wouldn't it, although it was a few years back.

You've heard of people being Dylsexit with words? Me, I am like that with IT.[biggrin]

GB, the gateway doesn't have antennas to stick them on but a fascinating idea from the 50s. It wouldn't be the foil that gives you the lift though but the brew.[smilebigeye]

[V8Ian]

It is alright for some Ron. [smilebigeye] Your previous job would have had you a bit familiar with all this hooey. wouldn't it, although it was a few years back.

You've heard of people being Dylsexit with words? Me, I am like that with IT.

GB, [B]the gateway doesn't have antennas to stick them on but a fascinating idea from the 50s. It wouldn't be the foil that gives you the lift though but the brew.[smilebigeye]
Don't let that stop you enjoying a fizzy, B. [bigwhistle]

[NavyDiver]

It is alright for some Ron. [smilebigeye] Your previous job would have had you a bit familiar with all this hooey. wouldn't it, although it was a few years back.

You've heard of people being Dylsexit with words? Me, I am like that with IT.[biggrin]

GB, the gateway doesn't have antennas to stick them on but a fascinating idea from the 50s. It wouldn't be the foil that gives you the lift though but the brew.[smilebigeye]

Dylsexit is fine with IT. and you failed at that mate- I think you just nailed your probable problem. " the gateway doesn't have antennas" first question should have been what is your gateway,router,modem?

They are the first key to range and signal type/strength. It may allow you to add an antenna which may fix the problem you have.

[4bee]

Ah ha. It is a Modem supplied by our ISP, Internode, Brand is.... iinet Model TG789..... & is just a black box with mesh on the top obviously with gubbins inside. Or not?[biggrin]

Even my NetComm has 2 x Antennas. Never worked out why, something to do with setting up a Hotspot, I understood

Specs.

- Technical Specs - iiNet Australia

All that means SFA to me, maybe I need Eevo, he's a scientist? He might be a Soil Scientist but hey, a Scientist would still know about all this crap, right? [biggrin]


EDIT,



first question should have been what is your gateway,router,modem?

That's fine in retrospect Diver, but if I don't understand all the above Spec crap it means nothing to me & I have to trust someone at the end of the day. (https://www.iinet.net.au/hardware/budii/'section=specs) One of the reasons I started this thread. actually. (https://www.iinet.net.au/hardware/budii/'section=specs) ISP has been good for the last 20 years so no reaon to doubt them..

I'm still attracted to a a cable connection ATM or even use the Netcomm NB604N as an Extender.




(https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/network-wifi/router-repeater-3633135/)

[4bee]

Bugger, url wouldn't post.


How to Use a Router as a Repeater to Extend your Wi-Fi (https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/network-wifi/router-repeater-3633135/)

[DiscoMick]

I just bought a couple of $50 range extenders. Setup is easy as:
1. Plug into a power point next to modem
2. Push button.
3. Wait till little light thingy makes a full circle and turns green.
4. Unplug
5. Plug into power point at desired location.
6. Push button and wait for green circle thingy process.
7. Bingo!

[Tote]

I've got one of these up in the roof cavity TL-WA801ND | 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point | TP-Link Australia (https://www.tp-link.com/au/home-networking/access-point/tl-wa801nd/) fed from my switch with a power injector over cat5. 14 inch thick stone walls are the enemy of wifi signals but having a repeater up in the roof cavity does help (ceilings are VJ boards) I've had the plug in ones but they haven't proved particularly effective.
Regards,
Tote

[4bee]

Thanks Tote, that is what I am finding & yet Mick seems quite positive about those he bought. Can I ask the cost of yours? Gotta weigh that up against the cost of a Cat 6 solution. A week ago I didn't even know what Cat5 & 6 were.

I think & yet to be convinced that it isn't the construction of the two buildings. I'm sure it is. Steel outer & 14" sandstone being a recipe for a crap signal.
As mentioned ^^^ the "receiver" one is in a Corro building also with Baltic T&G ceiling & the Modem is in a room surrounded on 3 sides by Sandstone walls with one normal window & generally tending to face the "receiver". I guess there wouldn't be two 100% identical setups in OZ so not surprising I'm having probs. Just have to work my way through this especially as the literally, "Cut off" (by side cutters) day approaches, considering all the advice I have had so far..

Mick's is obviously different again but like you, in the past, we have not had any joy.. Time to bite the .303 Cartridge I reckon.

[DiscoMick]

I'm sure the building does make a difference. I put one in line of sight through a glass door and then another one in line of sight on the back verandah.

[4bee]

Right! This gets crazier & crazier. Have now got access to an I-Pad & sitting it on top of my laptop I find a 95% good signal. ie. on the 3 bar signal I-Pad indicator I am getting 2bars. WTF!
Hitting a browser, latency seems quick & subjects are quick to show.

Old Modem is switched off, yellow cable to the old modem is out but reconnecting as I am atm, is not too bad but still not on fixed wireless but original ADSL. Message I get is"Server not Found" when I pull out the yellow cable from the back of the old Modem which indicates to me there is no NBN signal getting to my laptop but is to the I-Pad. only that one of my old ISP.

Lappy Wi-Fi switch on the lh side is on & showing the icon.

I realise in my wisdom something is Cactus, but what?
Should I have reset something, deleted sumfink or what else do I need to do to get NBN Fixed Wireless speeds?

Sorry to be a bloody pest but it appears as though my problem could be solved but it isn't if you get my drift. I haven't tried hitting things with a Mash Hammer, yet, but that time may be nigh..

Thanks.

[Tote]

Thanks Tote, that is what I am finding & yet Mick seems quite positive about those he bought. Can I ask the cost of yours? Gotta weigh that up against the cost of a Cat 6 solution. A week ago I didn't even know what Cat5 & 6 were.

I think & yet to be convinced that it isn't the construction of the two buildings. I'm sure it is. Steel outer & 14" sandstone being a recipe for a crap signal.
As mentioned ^^^ the "receiver" one is in a Corro building also with Baltic T&G ceiling & the Modem is in a room surrounded on 3 sides by Sandstone walls with one normal window & generally tending to face the "receiver". I guess there wouldn't be two 100% identical setups in OZ so not surprising I'm having probs. Just have to work my way through this especially as the literally, "Cut off" (by side cutters) day approaches, considering all the advice I have had so far..

Mick's is obviously different again but like you, in the past, we have not had any joy.. Time to bite the .303 Cartridge I reckon.

MSY-The name you can trust-More than 20 yrs In IT industry-Nationalwide branches serve you & offer the best IT price everyday. TP-LINK TL-WA801ND Wireless-N 300M Access Point w/Passive PoE 2T2R Detachable Antenna (https://www.msy.com.au/tp-link-tl-wa801nd-wireless-n-300m-access-point-wpassive-poe-2t2r-detachable-antenna)

$39 at MSY

I have also downloaded a wireless signal analyser app for my mac which lets me see the differetnt signal strengths from multiple repeaters as I wander around. There are similar apps for most devices/OS choices.
Regards,
Tote

[4bee]

Thanks Tote. Just thinking that I should now talk to Internode/iinet "Help Desk/Support" as it is obviously a connection matter.
Just have to bide my time until they aren't busy. Don't want to wait in the queue for 25mins.[bigsad]

[4bee]

[biggrin][biggrin][biggrin]
Thanks everyone who had Input to this thread. All done & dusted after speaking to Internode Support.
Apologies if I appeared to waste your time.[happycry]

Connection settings needed updating on my Laptop now all good.


NBN....
Speed Test today. Ping 36. Down 14.77 UP 3.88
...
Previous. Ping. 28 UP.. .85 Down 6.39




I don't know if these are good, bad or indifferent or even middlin,' but sure is a lot quicker now.

Who is a happy Sandboy then? Or even Happier than a Pig in ****?.[biggrin]

cest moi.



I know I know, it's not the greatest speed ( 36.0 Mbps) but it will do for now considering where we are in a shallow valley with lots of trees in leaf at this time of the year, but hopefully it will improve later on.

[4bee]

Is someone pulling my tit(s) or what? Hovering over the BB icon in the bottom right of the screen says it is Low for Signal Strength but........

36 Megabits per Second Speed.



36 Megabits


A connection of 36 Mbps is very fast. In fact, most home users would encounter difficulty "maxing out" the connection at the full 36 Mbps, even on bandwidth-heavy Internet usage such as downloading full-length movies, Internet hosting and online gaming.

A connection of 36 Mbps is very fast. In fact, most home users would encounter difficulty "maxing out" the connection at the full 36 Mbps, even on bandwidth-heavy Internet usage such as downloading full-length movies, Internet hosting and online gaming.





I notice it can fluctuate up to 48Mbps, so am I kidding myself? Answers on a sheet of dunny paper if you please.[smilebigeye].

[4bee]

Now 54Mbps @ 2028hrs. Blimey![biggrin]

[V8Ian]

Now 54Mbps @ 2028hrs. Blimey![biggrin]
Crikey! That's almost as good as a couple of plum jam tins and string. [bigrolf]

[4bee]

Ah, I see you have rumbled my penchant for Plum Jam, Ian?

Yep, plenty of jam tins around my back door, just need a source for string now.

I wonder where the SSO is at the moment, they have a strong string section?[smilebigeye]

Edit.

Ian,I take it you have heard the Expression about the "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind bollocks" (Can't recall who said that but he must have been off the planet.[smilebigeye])

That applies here as we have suffered abominably bad service over the years & plenty of "Engineers" have said "No worries mate, I'll put a report in for it to be done". It improved once only under some OZ wide scheme Telstra came up with. Countrywide or some such? 36 - - 54 Mbps( ATM) is wonderful however slow by comparison. I bet my boots that Engineer got the sack for being too efficient.

Sort of.."Yer can't be doin' that sort of thing Charlie, think of all your fellow workers who need ongoing employment, anyway NBN will be here in 50 years so let them have the problem"


[B]Telstra Country Wide (TCW) (Definition) A business unit of Telstra established to improve Telstra's business performance and the provision of telecommunications and information technology services to customers in regional, rural and remote Australia.Nov 24, 2017




Just sayin'