Extending WiFi

[Robotron2k84]

It's your risk to take. You do you my man.

FCC Rules for Unlicensed Wireless Equipment operating in the ISM bands
The ISM radio bands were originally set aside for electromagnetic radiation produced by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment. In the early 1990's the Federal Communcations Commission (FCC) allowed using three of the ISM bands for unlicensed communication equipment. These three ISM bands are:
902 to 928 MHz
2.400 to 2.4835 GHz
5.725 to 5.875 GHz
In the United States the use of these bands for communication purposes is regulated by part 15 of the FCC rules.

Maximum Transmit Output Power in the ISM bands
Several of the FCC part 15 rules govern the transmit power permited in the ISM bands. Here is a summary of those rules:

Maximum transmitter output power, fed into the antenna, is 30 dBm (1 watt).

Maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is 36 dBm (4 watt).
You can obtain the EIRP by simply adding the transmit output power, in dBm, to the antenna gain in dBi (if there is loss in the cable feeding the antenna you may subtract that loss).

If your equipment is used in a fixed point-to-point link, there are two exceptions to the maximum EIRP rule above:

In the 5.8 GHz band the rule is less restrictive. The maximum EIRP allowed is 53 dBm (30 dBm plus 23 dBi of antenna gain).
In the 2.4 GHz band you can increase the antenna gain to get an EIRP above 36 dBm but for every 3dBi increase of antenna gain you must reduce the transmit power by 1 dBm

http://afar.net/tutorials/fcc-rules/

Right there is the callout for PTP power increase or antenna gain increase (4x).

Might be a good idea to get some facts under your belt before you go lecturing others on potential felonies.

[Fizz]

http://afar.net/tutorials/fcc-rules/

Right there is the callout for PTP power increase or antenna gain increase (4x).

Might be a good idea to get some facts under your belt before you go lecturing others on potential felonies.

What part of your OP mentioned P2P links or various exceptions? Is the OP talking about a P2P wireless backhaul? Why are we talking about P2P links?

Is your setup a P2P link?

[Bushwack44]

As I think I'm finally getting the picture, it's the router and extenders that I need to purchase, to be able to reach all 1,800 sq ft of my condo, correct? The modem is OK (Netgear CG3000Dv2).

In simple terms, the extenders will communicate with the router. The router (connected via Ethernet), communicates to the modem, correct?

[crufflers]

As I think I'm finally getting the picture, it's the router and extenders that I need to purchase, to be able to reach all 1,800 sq ft of my condo, correct? The modem is OK (Netgear CG3000Dv2).

In simple terms, the extenders will communicate with the router. The router (connected via Ethernet), communicates to the modem, correct?

I guess it depends on your walls, etc... that could be blocking signal.

A $60 A7 router, plus a RE450 can cover 5,000 sq feet max. Maybe try just a new router first. Did you ever say what you are running now?

[rttully]

Bushwack44 says he has a Netgear CG3000Dv2.

I looked that up and it seems to be a Modem/WiFi/Router combo. Connects to provider line and provides:

N450 2.4GHz WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
No 5GHz WiFi ?? ( not on the spec sheet I saw )
4 Gigabit Ethernet wired ports

I can't comment on the performance of that device, but if you are leaning toward using Wifi extenders, the TP-Link RE450 might work fine with your existing Netgear CG3000Dv2.

These devices are supposed to be interoperable, but you just never know until you try. Sometimes they work often they don't, at least not optimally.

If I were you, I would try to find a Netgear WiFi extender that is supposed to work well with the router you already have to try that first. Netgear sells a wide range of extenders so you might be able to call Netgear support or e-mail them for a suggestion. I know that might not work, but how else to get an answer on which one is best for you. (possibly a Netgear forum)

Otherwise any Netgear extender that is 802.11 b/g/n with at least N450 speed SHOULD work.

If I found one that was supposed to work, I would buy one in a way that I could return if it didn't work out, then see how it works.

Make sure that the modem/router is in an optimal position, usually kind of high and not blocked by anything to the nearest walls.

If that works, you could then figure out if one more of those would give you all the coverage you need.

If that doesn't work out with a Netgear extender on your current WiFi router, then you would go to the next level and buy a new WiFi router and extenders that are supposed to be compatible with that.

That new router would plug into an Ethernet port on your existing modem/router. You have to be sure that at least one Ethernet port on your current modem/router is enabled. Where I live, Spectrum has such tight control over my modem/router I only get one Ethernet port enabled for free, and I would have to pay for more. I suspect they would not even give me that port if I didn't specify that I was going to use my own router.

If you set up your own new router, you will probably want to disable the WiFi on the provider's modem/router to avoid channel conflicts. I can't make any settings on mine anymore, so for me that is another annoying call to Spectrum.

I am not going to recommend a specific router. I think you have some opinions above, and there are too many possibilities. I will say that you usually get what you pay for in a router.

TP-Link is not one of the brands that I would personally choose, but I haven't used enough of their newer equipment to really make that a valid opinion.

I hope that was helpful.

[crufflers]

I’m running an Archer A7 and one RE450 in a 3400 sq fr space but the only reason I added the RE450was for one dead corner OUTSIDE the house. Those work well for me but if I was buying now I probably try the powerline wifi combo extender I posted.

[Bushwack44]

For better or worse, I just ordered the TP Link Deco 9 and the TP Link AC1200. If one, the other, or both don't work, I'll return them. I went with the Deco 9 as it's a hybrid between WiFi/mesh and a powerline system. Once received, I'll set it up and let ya'll know what happens.

Forty-eight hours ago I had no clue what mesh systems or powerline adapters were. I thought all that was needed was an extender (one size fits all). Once again, a sincere thank you to everyone who offered an opinion (and subsequently gave me direction to do some research).

[Scotty]

For better or worse, I just ordered the TP Link Deco 9 and the TP Link AC1200. If one, the other, or both don't work, I'll return them. I went with the Deco 9 as it's a hybrid between WiFi/mesh and a powerline system. Once received, I'll set it up and let ya'll know what happens

Hope you have a better experience with the Deco 9. Mine went back after two days. Turns out everyone on the support forum were having the same issue of dropping connections and there was no solution to fix it from TP Link. I replaced it with the M5, just as bad.

[Bushwack44]

RESULTS!!

OK Folks, I bought (and installed) the TP Link Deco 9. The TP Link AC1200 will arrive in a couple days.

Here's some info going forward. I have Spectrum providing 200 Mbps for internet (both Speedtest.net and fast.com say I'm receiving 200 - 215Mbps using my desktop computer no matter day or evening). I live in a 30 year old wood framed building. I used my cell phone, a 9 year old laptop, and a new Fire HD 10 tablet to test the Deco/Wifi.

I connected via Ethernet the first Deco 9 unit to my existing Netgear CG3000Dv2 cable modem. Installation/configuration was simple using the Android app. Before connecting the Deco, I tested the Netgear's wifi. From two rooms away - let's call this POINT A (separated by a bathroom at about 30 feet), Netgear's Wifi registered an average of 9 Mbps (while when connected to the Deco, I was getting 180 Mbps).

Going three rooms away in the other direction - POINT B (bypassing a master bath, guest room, kitchen and dining room), I couldn't connect to Netgear's Wifi. Got 75 Mbps at Point B (45 feet away) when connected to the Deco.

Netgear WiFi is terrible. Works OK as a modem, not as a Wifi device.

Connected the second Deco unit at Point B (my living room) and got increased to 120 Mbps. Walked another 15 ft away at the farthest point (front balcony) and received 105 Mbps. I can't see a need for the third unit that came with the set.

Summary: Netgear modem not good for WiFi. Also, separation of a large bathroom and kitchen makes a significant difference getting good WiFi. When the TP Link modem arrives, I'll connect it (replacing the Netgear), disconnect the Deco units, and see how good reception is only with the modem (as I'm curious). Happy with the Deco 9. Have a third unit that I have no use for. Everything was easy to set-up (took as much time unboxing as did set-up).

Thanks again for everyone's advice. Good or indifferent, it gave me an education and direction.

[rttully]

Is the TP-Link ac1200 a modem/router combo, or just a router?

If it is just a router, you will still need the Netgear as your modem.

Don't forget to turn off the Wifi on the Netgear if you can.

You may want to keep that as a backup, but turning the Netgear Wifi off might let anything else you keep work better and/or faster.

Happy to hear you are making progress.

[Bushwack44]

Is the TP-Link ac1200 a modem/router combo, or just a router?

If it is just a router, you will still need the Netgear as your modem.

Don't forget to turn off the Wifi on the Netgear if you can.

You may want to keep that as a backup, but turning the Netgear Wifi off might let anything else you keep work better and/or faster.

Happy to hear you are making progress.

One more follow up.

The TP Link 1200 is a router.

I received the router, connected it to the modem, disconnected the Deco, and got lousy Wifi results. From 30 feet away, about 40MBps (25% of what I am getting with the Deco). From 65 feet away in the opposite direction, I get 5-10 MBps (instead of 100Mbps+ I get with the Deco).

This router goes back to Amazon. I'm happy with the Deco set-up.