Looking for wireless extender/repeater. What should I be looking for in this device. I really want to extend my wireless connection at least 30 feet.
Thank you for any suggestions.
By Marvin, 8 March, 2016
Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Comments
How big is your house or
How big is your house or place? Does it have multiple floors? And most important, what router do you use?
Airport express
I use an apple airport express. Its really easy to set up, just connect it to your router and your Mac will automatically detect it. Just follow the on screen instructions from there and you can't go wrong. Also, once its set up you can fine tune the settings from the airport utility app on your phone which is completely accessible. HTH
Airport Express
Thank you. I should have sted that I use a PC and the main floor is roughly 2600 sq.ft. and basement is 1500 sq.ft.
Sorry about that. Will it work with a PC?
Thanks again.
Airport express set up
Yes. I'm not sure how to configure it with a pc but once it's set up then it'll work in exactly the same way.
Keep in mind that if you have
Keep in mind that if you have a bad wifi router you will extend a bad wifi signal. That's why I asked about your router. The airport express can be used to extend wifi, but only supports N wifi, not AC wifi. This is not a problem if your devices do not support it. Another option is the Netgear EX-6200, 90 bucks on Amazon.
But first make sure the problem is not your router, I had the same problem and I bought an extender for nothing since I had to change the router.
devolo home plugs
I use a set of mains to Ethernet adapters from devolo, the version I have is the 500 mbps version with the passthrough socket and 3 Ethernet ports plus of course the wifi.
it can be configured from both mac or pc, however the devolo cockpit configuration software is inaccessible, but this doesn't matter because if you put the adapters ip address into your web browser you can access the configuration that way.
the adapter also has a method to be able to download wifi configuration information from your router and configure itself automatically.
the adapter I use is called the
Devolo dLAN 500 AVplus Powerline 500Mbps HomePlug Adapter
its really handy having the 3 Ethernet adapters as well, as it means if I plug a device in that doesn't have wifi or where you have to enter your password in some very inaccessible way if you plug in via Ethernet wireless devices can communicate with your tech.
so for example I have my sky box plugged into one port, I could use it over wifi if I wanted but its visual entering that password, so I have it plugged into an Ethernet port, then my phone can still communicate with the box as there on the same network.
The Devolo
Thanks for the information. I will look on Amazon to get pricing.
Marvin
Airport Express
Hey Mickey, thanks so much for the suggestion. I did look on Amazon and was surprise at the cost. There were several repeaters. I need to much research beffore purchasingg.
Thanks again.
Marvin
NetGrear
Thanks I will look on Amazon.
Other ideas
Hello,
I agree with one of the post above. Before getting an extender, check your router first.
Some routers, you can adjust the Tx and Rx, or transmit and recieve. Sometimes increasing these values increases your wifi range. Also check your channels. Is it set to auto? Try setting it from auto to a specific channel.
Also be aware an extender will increase your wifi range but the speed will degrade.
In my case, I can access my wifi from my neighbor's house, about 100 feet, but from the living room, about 75 feet, the signal was so poor I couldn't watch on my Apple TV or play online games with a PS4. My solutions was to purchase Asoka power line adatpters. I connected the adapter in the living room then connected another router to it. The living room now has it's own router and it supports both ethernet and wifi connections.
These are just some ideas you can look into. Extenders in my opinion, aren't always the best solution.
HTH and good luck.
with the adapters I use, one
with the adapters I use, one plugs into the router, and another plugs in somewhere else, then the adapters relay the internet over the mains wiring so I haven't experienced any loss in speed with the method I use because of the way the signal is transferred. though it is true its worth checking your wireless channel and making sure if you have several wifi devices that the channels are as far spaced out as possible, and I could have more than just the one plug if I wanted, but at minimum my setup needs two.
As for Powerline Adapters it
As for Powerline Adapters it depends on the house electric system. If it's an old house it may not work properly.Usually the routers provided by the ISPs are quite mediocre, or sometimes terrible. I bought an Asus ac-8700 on Black Friday for a good price, and now I have a good quality wifi through the whole apartment, around 1000 square ft.
Wireless extender/repeater
Thanks David I will take and research your wise advice.
Thanks again.