WiFi Extender??

[DaveTN]

Anyone use one?

My Comcast Modem/Router is at one end of the house and my bedroom is at the extreme other end, over 50 feet and 3 walls.
My laptop can maintain a weak signal, but my tablet can’t. I wonder how these WiFi extenders would work.

This is the one Comcast sells.
http://store.comcast.com/universal-wifi-range-extender/detail.php?p=442584&v=comcast_accessories

I like Linksys and this is what they have. (Don’t know if it’s compatible with Comcast stuff.)
http://store.linksys.com/adapters/linksys-RE6500-range-extender_stcVVproductId160263573VVcatId554677VVviewprod.htm

[Dane]

[quote name="DaveTN" post="1179710" timestamp="1408062923"]Anyone use one? My Comcast Modem/Router is at one end of the house and my bedroom is at the extreme other end, over 50 feet and 3 walls. My laptop can maintain a weak signal, but my tablet can’t. I wonder how these WiFi extenders would work. This is the one Comcast sells. [url="http://store.comcast.com/universal-wifi-range-extender/detail.php?p=442584&v=comcast_accessories"]http://store.comcast.com/universal-wifi-range-extender/detail.php?p=442584&v=comcast_accessories[/url] I like Linksys and this is what they have. (Don’t know if it’s compatible with Comcast stuff.) [url="http://store.linksys.com/adapters/linksys-RE6500-range-extender_stcVVproductId160263573VVcatId554677VVviewprod.htm"]http://store.linksys.com/adapters/linksys-RE6500-range-extender_stcVVproductId160263573VVcatId554677VVviewprod.htm[/url][/quote] I've used them before. The biggest problem is you loose a lot of speed. If you have a basement or crawl space it might be easier to just run a wire. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[TripleDigitRide]

I tried a few, but had very limited success. One of them was the Netgear you have listed. I couldn't find one that would work nearly as well as they claim. 

I finally gave up and got one of THESE and one of THESE. The adapter allowed me to place the router and modem in the middle of the house, and get good signal anywhere. I've been extremely happy with the results.

If you don't have a PC, you may not need the adapter. Can you move the modem and router to a more centralized location?

Edited August 15, 2014 by TripleDigitRide

[DaveTN]

I've used them before. The biggest problem is you loose a lot of speed. If you have a basement or crawl space it might be easier to just run a wire. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I already have wire ran, both cable and CAT 5 (just no ends ).

I have what I consider to be a superfast internet connection on two desktops wired directly into the modem. If I moved the modem into the middle of the house and wired them back, would I have much loss? Up and over through the attic so probably 50, 60 feet.

[Dane]

You wouldn't have any noticeable loss with them wired into the modem at that distance. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Sam1]

Anyone use one?

My Comcast Modem/Router is at one end of the house and my bedroom is at the extreme other end, over 50 feet and 3 walls.
My laptop can maintain a weak signal, but my tablet can’t. I wonder how these WiFi extenders would work.

This is the one Comcast sells.
http://store.comcast.com/universal-wifi-range-extender/detail.php?p=442584&v=comcast_accessories

I like Linksys and this is what they have. (Don’t know if it’s compatible with Comcast stuff.)
http://store.linksys.com/adapters/linksys-RE6500-range-extender_stcVVproductId160263573VVcatId554677VVviewprod.htm

 

I would recommend disabling the el crap o Comcast wifi and hooking up to one of those Asus that have been talked about here in good length.  Was never a fan of Asus until trying this one out and now wouldn't switch back for anything.  1 router covers about 2 acres with full service, including three levels on the house & down into our safe room (which is the 4 walls/doors (2 stories) + a solid block wall and solid door in the safe room away from the router).

 

Before this I tried a router + 2 extenders and it didn't have as much coverage.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Sam1

[Oh Shoot]

I already have wire ran, both cable and CAT 5 (just no ends ).

I have what I consider to be a superfast internet connection on two desktops wired directly into the modem. If I moved the modem into the middle of the house and wired them back, would I have much loss? Up and over through the attic so probably 50, 60 feet.

 

Ethernet cable is pretty much lossless up to 100 meters.

 

- OS

[analog_kidd]

The WiFi extender will cut your speed in half. They can't transmit and receive at the same time, so they take an outgoing packet, receive it, then forward it, then wait for an incoming packet, receive it and forward it on. Your router can transmit and receive at the same time.

 

One option for you, since you have the Ethernet cable run, is a wireless access point. Plug one end of the cable into one of the ports on your router, and the other end of the wire at the other end of the house is where you plug in the access point. It's kind of like the range extender, but you get the full speed, and you get WiFi at both ends of the house.

 

Many routers can be configured to act as an access point, you just have to go into the config and set it. I think some manufacturers even sell dedicated access points, so there's no monkeying around with settings to make it work. If you find a router that supports something called DD-WRT, it's almost certain that it can be configured as an access point. DD-WRT is open source code that can be installed on a router that enables all kinds of functionality not included in the manufacturers default configuration.

[willis68]

I had a similar problem, I ended up running a line under my house so at the back of the modem there is a home run to another router, I ended up getting an Apple Airport extreme, what this has done is made my wifi reach all of my home and it now covers my 5.5 acres extremely well and is extremely fast throughout, before I did this I could not stream HD video in my bedroom now there is no latency throughout my property it works extremely well Edited August 15, 2014 by willis68

[DaveTN]

The WiFi extender will cut your speed in half. They can't transmit and receive at the same time, so they take an outgoing packet, receive it, then forward it, then wait for an incoming packet, receive it and forward it on. Your router can transmit and receive at the same time.
 
One option for you, since you have the Ethernet cable run, is a wireless access point. Plug one end of the cable into one of the ports on your router, and the other end of the wire at the other end of the house is where you plug in the access point. It's kind of like the range extender, but you get the full speed, and you get WiFi at both ends of the house.
 
Many routers can be configured to act as an access point, you just have to go into the config and set it. I think some manufacturers even sell dedicated access points, so there's no monkeying around with settings to make it work. If you find a router that supports something called DD-WRT, it's almost certain that it can be configured as an access point. DD-WRT is open source code that can be installed on a router that enables all kinds of functionality not included in the manufacturers default configuration.

I’ll have to check that out. I have a Linksys WRT310N that I’m not using, maybe I can configure it for that. Thanks.

[analog_kidd]

A quick Googling of "WRT310N access point" indicates that others have had success doing exactly what you are after, with that model. Good luck.

[Mike.357]

with the wifi modem Comcast sent me I can use it outside at distances near at a couple of hundred feet.

 

I listen to Pandora a lot when doing stuff outside and everytime I check to see if it is drawing off the wifi it is.

[TNMTBik3r]

I have a dual band extender paired with my dual band router. Forget the exact model but both Netgear.

I have mine setup to connect the extender to WAP in 2.4ghz and the extender to broadcast in 5ghz only. Good speeds, but of course your device has to support the 5ghz band.

[Oh Shoot]

I’ll have to check that out. I have a Linksys WRT310N that I’m not using, maybe I can configure it for that. Thanks.

 

If you have the Xfinity branded Arris modem/router/phone,  not sure you'll be able to use it with a separate router, quite limited config options inside user interface,. couldn't even turn WiFI off for example.

 

I tried to swap mine for another identical one to narrow down some probs I was having, turns out they had a shortage of them, but they gave me a Ubee that is modem/phone only, which was fine with me, as had Linksys router in reserve anyway.

 

- OS

Edited August 15, 2014 by Oh Shoot