Posted on 07/31/2017 9:23:26 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
...and I need recommendations.
We have a TP-Link and we’re very happy with it.
look on youtube. zillions of DIY antennas
In my experience, they’re great if you understand their limitiations.
They’re not going to be as fast or reliable as a direct connection, or even as fast as your default wifi router. If it is at all possible, you’re going to be better off running cable to where you want Internet access.
IOW, you’re not going to stream Netflix, most likely. Although the one I use is just fine for the occasional Youtube video. Watch long enough, though, and you’ll likely run into stutters, buffering, etc. Not a problem for general surfing, but could be annoying for gaming and cord cutting.
I have mine to extend wifi to the backyard when we’re out around the fire pit. Works great for that.
I have this one and it is mostly reliable. Occasionally, you have to disconnect the power and reset it, but it is not too bad.
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-range-extenders/WN2500RP.aspx
If possible, it is better to have it hardwired or the WiFi Access point hardwired.
Extenders, IMHO is the least desirable choice in terms of security and reliablity.
What I did was get a non-radio router, and then added an AP where I do most of the “mobile” stuff.
Set the main router to host the DHCP server and assign IP’s.
Works perfectly.
Best bet is to move the router if possible.
Extenders halve the speed.
Have you tried moving your router first? Most central location possible in your house, elevated. How old is your router, you may be better off replacing that before putting in a wifi repeater/booster/extender.
Useful resource on wifi extenders:
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/charts/wireless-extender/view
You might also check out some of the wifi mesh products. I know a couple people who bought the Google 3-pack and are pleased.
I put in a Ubiquiti AC Pro WAP a couple years ago and it has been great. One quality WAP covers my whole house, I disabled the wifi in my router in favor of this.
mark
I use a NetGear N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender, been working great for two years now. I watch Netflix or play games on my tablet at the opposite end of the house from my office and modem. Plugs into the wall, easy setup.
"... and now the WiFi/Internet is kind Squirrely."
"...and I need recommendations."
Well, offhand my first recommendation would be to see Sister Mary Moses of the Burning Bush (All Lit Up) and submit to her tender mercies administered in the form of remedial English Composition.
Our home is so well insulated with double paned windows, the router was incapable of providing good wifi except in my office.
We tried a few TPL and they were squirrely and after about a year just wear out.
Two years ago I bought the D-Link Wireless AC 1200 Mbps Home Cloud App-Enabled Dual-Band Broadband Router (DIR-820L).
It is one of the easiest ones to set up. Just set it up near the router with the wps button. Then after it does it uploads and finds your modem/router, you can move it to where you want it.
It has a direct feed as well as the wifi that can be plugged into a smart tv. We cut the cable and it is fast and seldom do we see any drag or slowness with the tv.
We have it in our family room with a direct connection to the TV. It provides a great WIFI signal through out our family room to the master bedroom, to the living room and outside on our deck.
My wife’s Android phone has 5 bars throughout our house. My Acer Chrombook has 5 bars in the family room and my Android phone works on WIFI throughout the house.
When our family visits, the WIFI is powerful enough to provide service to an additional 3-5 I phones, and an I Pad and still have a good picture on the connected tv plus our devices.
You can get one of these for $70 or less at Amazon.
The one drawback, is with even a slight power decrease/flux, the unit will lose the signal and has to recycle by itself.
I will be buying a small back up battery system for it and our Fire Tv box at Costco this week. One of our relatives lives in the midwest with a lot of power variation, and the small back up power system from Costco works well. I will buy two of the back up power systems. One for here in our family room where the extender is, and one in my office where the modem/router is. The extender provides 2g and 5g Wifi.
This is what you want,
I have a Netgear extender also. I like it okay. I have the router at one end of the house. The extender is in the center of the house. It extends wi-fi to the opposite end of the house. You just plug it in.
What you want is a wireless access point.
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