Apple Extreme base station

[Fritz]

our previous ISP, FiOS, gave us a router with not enough range to hit our HTC phones upstairs, 50 feet away.
Not to say that perhaps the HTC isn't up to the task, but it seems to do well everywhere else I go with it.

Our new (old) providers, OOL, don't provide a wireless router with the level of service we have, no "Boost".
So I put our old Belkin back into service, F5D7230. It lacks the stuff as well.
Again, not to say the HTC isn't at fault as the Apple TV in the same room hasn't had a problem with either wireless device.

blah, blah, blah.. Any reason not to buy a refurb Apple Extreme and expect anything better?

Unfortunately, no way to put the modem/router any closer to the middle of the house.
I don't think I'm up to the task of running CAT5 to the upstairs.
Unless there is a way I can split the coax to the upstairs TV to another wireless.

[cbelt3]

AEBSen don't really have the extended range capability that other more robust antenna designed routers do.

A simple test with your existing setup may be to move your OOL modem (runs off cable TV line, right ? ) upstairs and put the router next to it. The only issue is that your cable TV line may have been tuned and split to control the level to the modem.. sometimes that's an issue. But it's worth a shot.

Wireless signals don't go through a lot of things.. mirrors (metal backing), aluminum siding, metal lath in plaster and lath homes, stone blocks, especially red granites (heavy iron content), tin ductwork, metal fireplaces, and so forth. You *might* have placed your wireless router so something interferes with the signal between your HTC phone upstairs and the router downstairs. Think about line of sight through walls and whatnots.

Sometimes just shuffling the router around fixes the problem.

[Fritz]

not anything in the way here as far as what you've listed, except the red granite in my head.

As I remember, the cable line is just spilt for TV/interweb. I'll try the move check.

Perhaps a modern Linksys or NetGear is a better choice for range? This Belkin is at least 5 years old I think.
"G" only, no "N".

[jardster]

I have found that my Time Capsule has really expanded my network. While it used to be difficult for my Cell to get good wifi on all 3 levels of the house with the router that verizon provided (for FIOS), I've got great reception everywhere with the Time Capsule.

[kj4btkljv]

If you already have a router, and I'm not sure if you are saying it is or isn't a wireless capable router, you could get this hi-power access point. All of your wireless devices could then get on your network through it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...33-168-065

There's also a Powerline product that works through your electric lines in your walls to bring you an internet connection somewhere else in the house.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6833156339

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6833122388

I've got the first kit, bringing a network connection to my bedroom upstairs, from the basement. Works just great. The second kit has a wired and a wireless box, so the wired one goes downstairs by your existing router, then the wireless box goes in another room, offering a wireless access point to your network, through your powerlines.

Jeff

[Fritz]

I spoke with the powerline folks. That won't work here.
The other device looks interesting.
I'll try the modem move first, see if it affects TV at all. If not maybe just get another modem......
Though I just gave away one here last month. Ha ha ha.

Time Capsule is an interesting idea.

[Gareth]

I'm actually impressed with the latest two versions of the Airport Extreme (the latest being even better in regards to signal strength). I replaced a router with a 13 dB external antenna with one Airport Extreme (previous generation) and get full coverage in a two story house. Base station is on the lower level, roughly in the middle, but against a wall that is 1/2+ dirt on the other side.

I also replaced two Buffalo's with 5 dB external antennas at my folks place to connect their front and rear houses. Used one current and one previous generation. Admittedly, it barely made the connection there, but it also has to cut through a bit of tin roofing. Two current gens would likely be better, but I already had the one previous gen sitting around. Now that it's up and running, it's been infinitely more reliable than the previous setup.

Best Buy has had refurbs of I believe the current gen for $100 lately.

[michaelb]

I replaced our old original base statiion with an Extreme last year. It definitely has a much stronger range, but other modern 5.8 routers may work as well or better.

But it seems to me that replacing your router and seeing what happens makes sense. Also, get one that can be easily extended. So your situation may be perfect for sticking an airport express somewhere on the 2nd floor to extend the network. Other 3rd party routers offer similar options. The express would be ideal if you have a stereo somewhere up there too (I think, but am not sure, that the AE can serve both as an extender and as a source for airplay speakers, but check that first).

[OWC Jamie]

I have an AEBS mounted in a basement window extending coverage to the house next door 150 feet away. Inside that house you have to be near a perimeter wall or the signal drops off . It's weird as it is all or nothing signal.
It also covers the garage 100 feet behind the house.



The Comcast router wireless couldn't be picked up in the garage even when the router was put direct line of sight in a window.

My first test was with a old little router with a tiny antenna and that was no better than the Comcast box. My second test was with the AEBS and it worked well enough and I stopped testing.

[Article Accelerator]

cbelt3 wrote:
AEBSen don't really have the extended range capability that other more robust antenna designed routers do.

That is untrue:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/...psule.html