wi-fi range extender, distance and square footage claims ?

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  1. Posts : 1,788
    Win 10
       #1

    wi-fi range extender, distance and square footage claims ?


    I have a small storafge shed about 100 feet from the house. I would like to be able to connect to the wireless network we have.

    I have bought two small, they look like cable modems, wi-fi extenders.

    They don't give a good signal.

    Today, Wednesday, I saw a different one at a store that claimed it picked up your wi-fi router signal and boosted it for a total of 10,000 square feet with an 800 milliwatt signal.

    Cost is $100. Box says it is compatible with all wi-fi routers via their signal.

    Is this possible ? I didn't write the name down, but I think it was a Linksys.

    Thanks !
    Last edited by jimjoe; 25 Mar 2015 at 20:16. Reason: info
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  2. Posts : 5,286
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Have a look at wireless powerline extenders. This is what I use and it is effective.
    Like this one:
    300Mbps Wi-Fi Range Extender, AV500 Powerline Edition TL-WPA4220KIT - Welcome to TP-LINK
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  3. Posts : 1,788
    Win 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks, but I have a ham radio. Anything that puts a signal down an electrical wire like that will cause interference to me hearing anyone, or talking to them.
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  4. Posts : 8,578
    Windows 10 Home x64 Windows 10 Prox64
       #4

    A few questions.
    Can you run a cable from your present router to the shed?
    What router are you presently using?
    Have you thought of using your present router as an access point and buying something like this?
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=R6200v2

    Setting up an access point will work much better than an extender.
    If not you could try this extender, it's one of the highest rated ones.
    Amazon.com: NETGEAR N600 Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender - Desktop Version with 4-Ports: Computers Accessories

    A little light reading for you. LOL.
    The Best Way To Get Whole House Wireless Coverage - SmallNetBuilder
    The Best Wi-Fi Extender (If Youre Out of Options) - Tested
    "No matter what they are called or technology they use, repeaters start out with a minimum 50% throughput loss. The reason is that a repeater must receive, then retransmit each packet using the same radio on the same channel and with the same SSID. If the repeater is very efficient, then your loss will be close to 50%. But if it's not, throughput loss can be higher."
    Thanks to that 50% loss in bandwidth right off the top, just about all wireless extenders suck.
    Thanks to that 50% loss in bandwidth right off the top, just about all wireless extenders suck. But the technology has gotten a little better in the past year. If you have to get a Wi-Fi extender, it should be the $80 Netgear WN2500RP, which has a dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio. The extender can use one frequency to communicate with a router and another frequency to communicate with client devices, which bypasses that 50% hit to bandwidth.
    Even so, a Wi-Fi extender is the last thing you should buy to improve your wireless network. The simple truth is that there are two better alternatives to consider first:

    • Getting a new, faster router with increased range
    • Setting up a hardwired network using Ethernet, MoCA or powerline that will blow any Wi-Fi extender's speed out of the water
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  5. Posts : 1,788
    Win 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I'll have to talk to my relatives about a new router, it is their network. I can buy an extender on my own.

    Yes, I read the 'don't get an extender' on several review sites before I posted... then they suggested an extender to buy. Seemed at cross purposes to me.
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  6. Posts : 8,578
    Windows 10 Home x64 Windows 10 Prox64
       #6

    Even if you bought a second router and used it as an access point I think you would be ahead.
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  7. Posts : 1,788
    Win 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    My relatives and I have decided to take the one they have, Linksys e4200, to the store they got it from, and see what they suggest.
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  8. Posts : 5,286
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #8

    rvbfan said:
    A few questions.
    Can you run a cable from your present router to the shed?








    That is actually what the powerline adapter is supposed to do. Instead of running cables, you can use your existing electical wiring system to extend your internet with access point on the other end.









    The problem with extenders, they can extend the reach of wifi but they also use bandwidth and possibly cut it in half. That's because extenders also act as clients. Extenders connect to the internet and pass the signal to another client.









    The most efficient solution is access point.







    My solution at home is access points on powerline adapters.



    Zero dead spot.







    Below, "APs" are the access points.







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  9. Posts : 5,286
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #9

    jimjoe said:
    I'll have to talk to my relatives about a new router, it is their network. I can buy an extender on my own.

    Yes, I read the 'don't get an extender' on several review sites before I posted... then they suggested an extender to buy. Seemed at cross purposes to me.

    If you can make them understand how extender can "weaken" their wifi, they will agree with a new router. It's just a matter of plugging in another cable on their existing router. The only problem there is how to go about the cabling. :)
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  10. Posts : 5,286
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #10

    jimjoe said:
    the one they have, Linksys e4200, .
    Incidentally, that same router is my access point.



    My main router is ASUS RT-N65U.
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