Best range?

[dlandiss]

In recent a recent technical publication the AX86U Pro was been touted as having the best range of all routers tested by that company. The non-pro AX86 was given a similar honor before the Pro version was offered. In a 123-year-old house with thick walls this is important to me.

Has anyone seen evidence that the AX86 Pro has better range than it predecessor?

Thank you!

 

[bbunge]

In recent a recent technical publication the AX86U Pro was been touted as having the best range of all routers tested by that company. The non-pro AX86 was given a similar honor before the Pro version was offered. In a 123-year-old house with thick walls this is important to me.

Has anyone seen evidence that the AX86 Pro has better range than it predecessor?

Thank you!

No. In my house I've had both and they seem to be about the same. I've run the AX86U as an AiMesh node with the AX86U Pro and it seems that some clients like the AX86U better. However, that is not a good test. Neither of these have the range that the AC66U_B1 had. But that router is now EOL (but I have one on the shelf in the basement for that day everything else gets fried)

Today the AX86U Pro is your better bet and is still one of the most recommended routers on this forum.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

In recent a recent technical publication the AX86U Pro was been touted as having the best range of all routers tested by that company. The non-pro AX86 was given a similar honor before the Pro version was offered. In a 123-year-old house with thick walls this is important to me.

Has anyone seen evidence that the AX86 Pro has better range than it predecessor?

Thank you!

How much lead paint on the walls?

 

[Tech9]

Has anyone seen evidence that the AX86 Pro has better range than it predecessor?

I have tested both. Without precise measurements - the range you can expect is about the same.

 

[Analog-1]

Same here they all had about the same range. They all use similar antennas putting out the same legal power why would there be much difference.

 

[Tech9]

In most cases radio power above 400mW doesn't make much of a difference for range since the client devices with their 20-40mW radios can't get back to the AP through the same distance/obstacles. What helps is more sensitive AP with higher gain antennas, but this makes it more directional. In extreme cases an outdoor high-gain antenna AP may help even indoors and through walls.

 

[chris13]

i noticed AX86U Pro has 2-3 dbm improvement over the non pro version, insignificant i would say

 

[dlandiss]

How much lead paint on the walls?

Unknown. Do lead salts also block RF, or just metallic lead?

Partial answer here.

 

[dlandiss]

Same here they all had about the same range. They all use similar antennas putting out the same legal power why would there be much difference.

But circuit technology continues to improve, so the signal the antennas receive might be better decoded by newer designs.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Unknown. Do lead salts also block RF, or just metallic lead?

Partial answer here.

I've seen white lead and ground lead in Linseed oil, so it would depend on what was used AND how many coats in a 123 year old structure before being banned in 1978.

Found this under EMF Paints (most don't use any Pb today) :

Interesting FYI: https://emfacademy.com/emf-paint/

Benefits of Lead Paint (from another site)

Although lead paint was removed due to health concerns, it has some beneficial properties:

Blocks Radiation: Lead paint can block radiation, which prevents harmful frequencies like 5G from penetrating walls.
EMF Shielding: Lead-based paint acts as an effective shield against electromagnetic fields (EMF).

 

[degrub]

i'll get my foil hat out......

 

[John Fitzgerald]

i'll get my foil hat out......

It does serve a purpose in preserving your brain. Bring back the old fashioned nightcap lined with foil. Pat. Pending.

 

[heysoundude]

Unknown. Do lead salts also block RF, or just metallic lead?

Partial answer here.

that reddit thread has me wondering if my router will be more efficient running leaded fuel rather than unleaded

 

[NXIL]

Although lead paint was removed due to health concerns, it has some beneficial properties:

Blocks Radiation: Lead paint can block radiation, which prevents harmful frequencies like 5G from penetrating walls.

I am just glad there's not a giant thermonuclear reactor in the sky for an average of about 12 hours every day, that puts out all sorts of radiation! Can you imagine?

The average solar radiation reaching the top of Earth's atmosphere is approximately 1361 watts per square meter. This is often referred to as the solar constant. However, the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth's surface varies due to atmospheric effects and the time of day, typically ranging from 1000 W/m² at sea level on a clear day

If there was such a thing, it would probably interfere with my 1.21 gigawatt 5ghz 5G router!

PS: my microwave popcorn keeps popping by itself when I download from Steam. Think it's expired? (The popcorn, not Steam.)

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I am just glad there's not a giant thermonuclear reactor in the sky for an average of about 12 hours every day, that puts out all sorts of radiation! Can you imagine?



If there was such a thing, it would probably interfere with my 1.21 gigawatt 5ghz 5G router!

PS: my microwave popcorn keeps popping by itself when I download from Steam. Think it's expired? (The popcorn, not Steam.)

Well the new fashion is here now:

 

[Tech9]

that reddit thread has me wondering if my router will be more efficient running leaded fuel rather than unleaded

As long as you rotate the antennas every 30-40GB - you're good.

 

[ApexRon]

In terms of of overall tech specs, the Pro is better. How much better would you realize is dependent on your usage. In terms of RF power and antenna I suspect that both models are about the same.

In a 123 year old house or any house for that matter, it’s all about horizontal and vertical reach of RF through walls, ceiling/flooring, furniture, and so on. What I would recommend is that you perform a WiFi survey of your house to determine best placement of WiFi router in your house and if you would be better served with a meshed network.

In doing a survey of my house, I started with a to scale floor plan, an existing WiFi router, and my MacBook with an app that dynamically reports RF signals. Then I walked around the house, measuring/recording signal received. From the initial survey I was able to determine if relocating WiFi router or even antenna adjustments could improve signal at some locations with a less than adequate signal. Once you determine best location for a router you should also be able to determine if a mesh solution would be needed.

For me, the builder put the cable modem where the cable entered the house. I spliced the coax cable to a location more central in the house and moved cable modem there where I installed my Pro router.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Going from RT-AC86U to RT-AX86U Pro resulted in noticeably reduced 2.4 GHz range with my phone. This was especially true when comparing AC to AC performance, but even when running the AX86U Pro in AX mode for the 2.4 GHz band and my phone connecting with 2.4 GHz AX, range was still less than with the phone on 2.4 GHz AC talking to the AC86U router. Considering that these two routers have identical form factor, identical antenna layout, and were identically located and oriented, I think this was a true assessment. Overall, it was a bit of let-down. I had to purchase an outdoor AP to get my outdoor range back.