topic Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice in Electronics

Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

bonnielu — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 02:51:59 GMT

Costco is selling a range extender for wireless signal. Linksys... 2 pk. Says it can be plugged in or set on desktop. Anyone know anything about this kind of device. I need a bit more signal in the far reaches of my house.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

gardenman — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 04:10:50 GMT

I'm using an Internet radio as a wireless access point (essentially an extender) and it works great! My old router barely reaches half the house (and it's a small house) but the radio extends that range dramatically even out into my yard. It's kind of funny that I'm sitting about three feet from my router and I get a stronger signal from the extender (about twenty feet away and through a wall) than the router.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

TootyJane — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 04:53:09 GMT

I always had trouble using my iPad in our kitchen which is on the other side of the house of where our router is. My husband's iPad worked fine but I could never access the Internet!!! We recently purchased a Linksys extender and it is fabulous!! I can now access the Internet anywhere in the house and it is even boosted our internet connection overall. I only wish we had purchased it sooner. HTH

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

Nuttmeg — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 08:32:10 GMT

I am not a fan of wireless extenders because, http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-extender/

The wireless router and extender have to be the same brand. A better solution would be more bandwidth from your cable company, and a new wireless router.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

glb613 — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:51:07 GMT

My sister had one and it actually throttled her signal. In all fairness, it could have been the brand and not all range extenders.

A router should send a signal 300 feet. I can see all of my neighbors wireless networks but the signal is weak. Inside a house, walls and where the router is located will have an effect on the signal strength. Try putting the router in the center of the house on the main floor. If that's not possible, get a range extender and plug it in the center of the house.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

jackthebear — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:51:26 GMT

I was going to post the same question about these.

I was thinking of a new router but I think the design of my house is also a factor, there is weak signal in the bedroom, . I can see the signal drop off as I turn the corner.

going to read the article.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

jackthebear — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:58:51 GMT

On 11/21/2014 glb613 said:
My sister had one and it actually throttled her signal. In all fairness, it could have been the brand and not all range extenders.

A router should send a signal 300 feet. I can see all of my neighbors wireless networks but the signal is weak. Inside a house, walls and where the router is located will have an effect on the signal strength. Try putting the router in the center of the house on the main floor. If that's not possible, get a range extender and plug it in the center of the house.

Thanks, I cant put the router in the center of my house (easily). I think the best approach might be to buy a new router.

I live in a ranch house and the router and bedroom are at opposite ends of the house. I guess the fifties didn't think about that .

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

glb613 — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:08:51 GMT

On 11/21/2014 jackthebear said:On 11/21/2014 glb613 said

Thanks, I cant put the router in the center of my house (easily). I think the best approach might be to buy a new router.

I live in a ranch house and the router and bedroom are at opposite ends of the house. I guess the fifties didn't think about that .

You might be better off with a range extender. Plug it into an outlet near the center of the house.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

Cats3000 — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 19:50:03 GMT

Apple makes an ""Airport Express"" that can be used as a base station or an extender. Go to the apple.com website and check the comments on the product.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

1MrsT — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 22:04:53 GMT

We had always used the router from our cable company, but we could not access WIFI upstairs or on the lower level. We tried an extender, and it didn't really increase the range. We ended up buying a more powerful router (Netgear), and holy cow...that thing gives us a strong WIFI signal not just everywhere throughout the house, but as far as 3 houses away!

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

1MrsT — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 22:07:37 GMT

One last thing to consider, that every wall and every floor the signal has to pass through, weakens it. It's why in our case, an extender did not help and why we needed to go with a stronger router.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

Lynnj — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 23:40:48 GMT

On 11/21/2014 nutmeg3 said:
I am not a fan of wireless extenders because, http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-extender/

The wireless router and extender have to be the same brand. A better solution would be more bandwidth from your cable company, and a new wireless router.

I am not sure that is true. I have an extender set up. I can switch between 2 ghz and 5ghz on both. Plus I can go into configuration and set each to different channels, within each of the bands. Mine are all Apple, amd I use an Apple app on my Mac to configure. Not sure how it would work if using non apple routers together, or those router configuration site features?

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

Lynnj — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 23:45:09 GMT

I have an extender set up at my house and it's womderful. The area where I habe my home office set up has a brick chimney between that location and where my main router is located. When I am in my home office area. My cell phone always switched to the cell network, and I was being charged data rates every time I did something on my cell. I refused to pay data rates when I am at go,means can acces free wifi, lol. Set up the extender, all devices now stay on my wireless signal, and I get great reception everywhere. My work laptop is also faster because it gets a better signal from the extender set up. I don't know specifically about the Costco unit your looking at, I habe all Apple, but Costco has a great return policy so you have absolutly nothing to lose by trying it.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

Nuttmeg — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 00:16:07 GMT

On 11/21/2014 Lynnj said:
On 11/21/2014 nutmeg3 said:
I am not a fan of wireless extenders because, http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-extender/

The wireless router and extender have to be the same brand. A better solution would be more bandwidth from your cable company, and a new wireless router.

I am not sure that is true. I have an extender set up. I can switch between 2 ghz and 5ghz on both. Plus I can go into configuration and set each to different channels, within each of the bands. Mine are all Apple, amd I use an Apple app on my Mac to configure. Not sure how it would work if using non apple routers together, or those router configuration site features?

I had two Linksys extenders with Linksys router and they worked alright. I brought a Netgear wireless router and the Linksys extender boxes were very difficult to connect to my network. I never noticed they really worked. I could see they were installed on my network with Inssider software. I have since increased my bandwidth and do not need an extender. The boxes were single band 2.4GHZ boxes that ran to 144. My Netgear dual band router runs just great with Comcast Blast .The router came with a Genie app for tablets, smartphone, and computer. You can see how your network is running. It is strange the Android app gives me more feedback, than the Apple one.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

Lynnj — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 01:36:42 GMT

I think the android app gives more info because it is specific for those routers. I see a lot of info about my routers in my Mac app, but they are Mac routers. I don't think the Mac app provides the same level of info about non Mac routers. I manage all of my routers through my Mac app,,which I can also access on the phone and pad. I can even turn them off (both or individually) right from the app for times when I feel I need to reset the router. The only time I physially touch a router is when I need to do something to the comcast router. While I can see it in my Mac app, I can't control it.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

glb613 — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:50:58 GMT

Do you have a link or name of the app?

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

bonnielu — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 07:50:35 GMT

the sale starts the 24th which is tomorrow. It is at Costco and it is in their little booklet that they send out. I am willing to give it a try. And their return policy is excellent. I will just warn them I am going to try it out and perhaps they will give me advice in the store. When I look around there has always been someone who approaches me and discusses what is in front of me in the electronics section. But telling me about it and actually having it work for me are two different things.

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

Nuttmeg — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 10:01:38 GMT

Where not to place a wireless router http://corporate.comcast.com/comcast-voices/10-ways-you-might-be-killing-your-home-wi-fi-signal

Re: Range Extender for Wireless Signal..... Need advice

151949 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:40:15 GMT

Maybe you need a new router. If I open the setting for wi fi and search for signals I can pick up 14 from my neighborhood. We have all got internet from Verizon here as part of our HOA and verizon provides our routers. I can definitely sit out on my lanai and use our wifi, or even go over a neighbor's house with my computer and be on my wifi from home.