BQ16 - Is AFC fully working now?

[Tech9]

avoid G.A.S.

The solution:

 

[chris2025]

Last week I happened to be reviewing various new Asus routers by FCC ID trying to find which one(s) may be getting AFC, and I noticed that the following seemed to have 4 watt outputs (SP) listed in their Grants under the 6ghz band frequencies (unless I misunderstood something):

- GT-BE19000AI (already has AFC)
- STRIX GS-BE18000 (already has AFC)
- GT-BE98 PRO
- ZENWIFI BQ16 PRO
- ZENWIFI BT10

However, I noticed only the top two (edit: now top three) had a 'BX' designation:
BX: This standard power access point is authorized as a composite under 47 CFR 15.407(a)(4) and an indoor access point under 47 CFR 15.407(a)(5), allowing the AFCs that are issued waiver FCC 24-1217 to consider up to 6 dB of building entry loss (BEL).

I currently have AX86U and AC86U in mesh setup and it works well running Merlin, but I have multiple Wifi7 devices now and was looking to upgrade soon... I had been waiting on the BQ16 Pro or BT10 options (need three and best buy sells them in 3-packs for discount). Dong Knows Tech's site seems to think BQ16 Pro and possibly BT10 will get AFC eventually, but I'm losing hope now. Now I am considering the Strix even through the CPU is less and it isn't 10gig. I'd like to stay with Merlin but the spider routers won't pass the decor test. I've even looked into some Ubiquiti options... but overkill for my needs I think.

I just checked again, and I don't know if I missed it earlier or if it changed, but it now shows that the GT-BE98 Pro has the 'BX' designation in the grants section, along with the GT-BE19000AI and the STRIX GS-BE18000... with a grant date of 3/18/2025. Perhaps there's hope for the GT-BE98 Pro to get AFC after all?

The latest BE98 Pro H/W versions in the store are 2.0 from what I've seen, and per other SNB posts, there was some documentation in a FCC C2PC (Class II Permissive Change) stating that there was a barometric pressure sensor in version R2.7, but I don't know if the version naming/numbering convention is apples to apples (I'm not an FCC expert). But the FCC report does mention a firmware update for AFC... As for the BQ16 Pro, I don't see the BX designation in its FCC grant, but I do see there was a change request to add AFC via software update.

So here's what I see now on the FCC site for various models regarding standard power (AFC) on the 6ghz frequencies:

FCC ID MSQ-RTBE6J00: ROG Rapture GT-BE19000(AI) - BX designation, and currently using AFC

FCC ID MSQ-RTBE8H00: ROG Strix GS-BE18000 - BX designation, and currently using AFC

FCC ID MSQ-RTBE6M00: ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro - BX designation in grant, but no AFC working currently

FCC ID MSQ-RTBE6X00: BQ16 Pro / BE30000 - No BX designation in grant, and no AFC working currently (but shows 4w capability in 6ghz band and request for Standard Power AFC)

FCC ID MSQ-RTBE7800: BT10 - No BX designation in grant (but it does show 4w capability in 6ghz band)

 

[jzchen]

Sorry if I'm ignorant but is this correct:

GE-BE18000 Pro? (Could be S or T)?

 

[chris2025]

Sorry if I'm ignorant but is this correct:

GE-BE18000 Pro? (Could be S or T)?

Good catch, typo, I just fixed it - thanks. Should be GT-BE98 Pro. Between the various retailer model names for the same units, regional differences, and the FCC report names, it gets easy to mixup!

 

[erick_e]

Based on FCC C2PC letter, hardware version R1.40 has the barometric pressure sensor. They selected EUT 2 for the AFC DUT harness test back in May 28 2024. However, I'm not even sure if H/W R1.4 has ever reached into the market though.

I wonder if H/W versions 1.3 and 1.4 were just test subjects that were never released. I bought my BQ16 pro last January (2025) and have H/W version A1. There is no mention of that version in any FCC documents that I can find.

 

[chris2025]

I wonder if H/W versions 1.3 and 1.4 were just test subjects that were never released. I bought my BQ16 pro last January (2025) and have H/W version A1. There is no mention of that version in any FCC documents that I can find.

I am beginning to think that also… I don’t know if the versions in FCC letters and tests actually correspond with the actual hardware versions of retail units…
From what I have seen, even in January 2026, the latest retail hardware versions of the BE98 Pro is 2.0 and the BQ16 Pro is A1, since 2024… even though versions 2.7 and 1.4 show up in these documents.

Dong Knows Tech website often states that AFC was planned for both of these units, but I don’t know how reliable his information is, or if plans have changed since he did his original reviews and communicated with Asus. I remember him stating in one review after the STRIX GS-BE18000 came out that Asus was going to use the success of AFC on that unit as a determining factor as to whether to roll it out to other units…

 

[fruitcornbread]

I am beginning to think that also… I don’t know if the versions in FCC letters and tests actually correspond with the actual hardware versions of retail units…
From what I have seen, even in January 2026, the latest retail hardware versions of the BE98 Pro is 2.0 and the BQ16 Pro is A1, since 2024… even though versions 2.7 and 1.4 show up in these documents.

GT-BE98 Pro is even more strange. H/W R2.70 (EUT 2) has the barometric pressure sensor, but the H/W R2.50 (EUT 1) was selected to do the AFC DUT Harness test back in July 2024.

Based on C2PC from Feb 2025, they added Adapter 2 and mentioned adding "WiFi+Barometric Position geolocation method via Firmware by factory for 6GHz Standard Power Access Point" for the EUT 2. I guess you can use that Adapter 2 (see attachment for reference) to know if you have H/W R2.50 (EUT 2). According to FCC documents, you can still get EUT 2 with the Adapter 1 (original with the power brick).

 

[chris2025]

GT-BE98 Pro is even more strange. H/W R2.70 (EUT 2) has the barometric pressure sensor, but the H/W R2.50 (EUT 1) was selected to do the AFC DUT Harness test back in July 2024.

Based on C2PC from Feb 2025, they added Adapter 2 and mentioned adding "WiFi+Barometric Position geolocation method via Firmware by factory for 6GHz Standard Power Access Point" for the EUT 2. I guess you can use that Adapter 2 (see attachment for reference) to know if you have H/W R2.50 (EUT 2). According to FCC documents, you can still get EUT 2 with the Adapter 1 (original with the power brick).

Interesting… I saw that the Strix GS-BE18000 uses a similar style 60w power adapter, and it has AFC… I also heard the earlier BE98 Pro model had a 65w but now has a 60w, but I’m not sure if it looks like that one or is a brick - the boxes seem to indicate both power profiles on them now.

 

[chris2025]

I was just looking through the product page for the STRIX GS-BE18000 on the Asus website, and I noticed this text in the AFC overview section: "AFC service included for the first 4 years; additional charges apply thereafter." Seems odd that they would try to monetize AFC after 4 years .
I live in a fairly urban area with I suspect licensed 6ghz operators nearby - I wonder if I would even be granted AFC permission by the servers here... or if it would be something only reliable in more suburban or rural areas... that's I why I gave up trying to use the DFS channels a long time ago on my AX router - too many drops.

 

[degrub]

That just means you are in a radar active area - near an airport or military area. 6 GHz does not penetrate walls very well at regulated power levels. Increased radio Tx power will go further, but it allowance to use will depend on if there are community users, such as emergency response, on the same bands or adjacent guard bands where the radio would cause higher noise or stomp on their communications.

 

[chris2025]

Yeah, I was thinking because I live across the street from a hospital and police station and high-rise buildings that there may be conflicts. Maybe not. I definitely could use extra range in my residence though for 6ghz due to walls and distance, and I can’t run Ethernet to the other rooms unfortunately, and too close for AiMesh with the 5ghz and 2.4ghz bands.

 

[degrub]

You would probably be better off with SMB APs at least in that case. Much finer control of Tx power. However, if you have to use wifi backhaul, look at some of the qualcomm based systems. Tech9 has provided a list of some that he knows.

Recommendations and question on the states of current mesh systems

I've been having a hell of a time getting stable wifi and am looking for some advice on systems. I'll try to summarize this as short as I can but with details. ISP Plan; 2gbps coming in house through coaxial into Xfinity xb8 modem bridged Asus rt-be96u as single unit for old house; worked...

www.snbforums.com

 

[jzchen]

Are you able to see these licensed devices with a WiFi analyzer app? (Should be able to see them I suspect, but for me full AFC function seems available)...

 

[Tech9]

I don't know what will work better in an unknown location. What I know is relying on DFS, AFC, MLO, etc. is looking for trouble, not guaranteed to work, increases the cost. I also know over the counter consumer "mesh" is taking chances and buying equipment on specs alone usually results in disappointments.

 

[jzchen]

Just an FYI since my significant other works at a hospital and I've been frequenting them more lately, there are no signs to turn off cell phones any longer. Haven't been to a police station I'm afraid so can't say.

I suspect air traffic and weather are two industries that share the 6 GHz band as mentioned....

EDIT- I checked the box sticker of my BQ16 Pro (ordered from ASUS eStore the day a single pack was released. It was produced 2024 and version A1. Worked great less than 2 m high with wired backhaul when I received it, connected via surge protector strip to power). I now have it mounted over 2 meters high, against instructions not to, so I don't know how that affects performance....

 

[chris2025]

Thanks for the info everyone.
I actually bought a BE98 Pro a couple of weeks ago with one of the trade-in deals and on sale for a “decent” price (under $500) - I figured it had time to mature a little bit and also was one of the few WiFi 7 routers that would run Merlin… however I didn’t open it yet because I was doing some research and wondering if I really should get a guaranteed AFC capable router, or even go with a Ubiquiti solution. I’m just very familiar with Asus and use a lot of their VPN functions.

Originally, I was thinking of getting a BQ16 Pro 3-pack on sale for a really great price around the holidays, and then use one unit in my residence and hook up the other two units in mesh at my parents bigger house, which has an Ethernet backhaul option… right now both residences are using AX86U (non-pro) - and my parents house has them in AiMesh wired backhaul and it works flawlessly. We all have WiFi 7 devices now though and I will would like 6ghz in my congested wifi residence.

I have until tonight to decide whether to return the BE98 Pro for a refund or not… I’m leaning towards returning it right now and thinking about what I want to do some more.

 

[jzchen]

I'd say it is overkill still, but you should have at least 2 6 GHz devices for the two 6 GHz channels, to make the BE98 Pro worth it. We all probably have more 5 GHz devices, and a dual 5 GHz router probably makes more sense for most people. Sadly ASUS does not sell the non-Pro versions here that do have dual 5 GHz.

If you have not opened it and it's pushing the return date today, that's probably a good sign you aren't convinced to open or keep it...

 

[chris2025]

Yeah I think you may be right… I do have a few wifi 7 devices (all Apple) and it would be a great toy for me, but probably overkill for my immediate needs… I wish there were a better medium/high tier option that had 6Ghz and AFC without having ROG styling or a $500+ price tag. Merlin capability would be nice too.

 

[chris2025]

Thanks again for all the input… After some more deliberation, I returned my unopened BE98 Pro tonight for a refund. I’ll give it some more time and decide what I really need in terms of form factor and bands and range and whether AFC will be a dealbreaker. I’d like to kill two birds with one stone with my parents upgrade as well. I may consider the STRIX or BQ16 Pro as options if I can live without Merlin. Or just wait some more.

 

[jzchen]

Standard Power is impressive, which I know is partly I am lucky where I live. With that, I think you have to try it. That's the only way you'll know it works where you are. TP-Link has a few offerings with AFC if you are so inclined. With them you need to get the HW Version # and check the firmware release notes to verify the feature you want...

If I may suggest, only buy the router if you know it has the feature you are looking for. I was actually surprised that the BE19000Ai got AFC because it was not on the website product pages....

Sorry I deleted my post, I had searched for pricing on the GS-BE18000 based on your post, but did not realize the listing at B&H was cheaper because it was a lower model....

Definitely do ask your questions from those who have experience with the router model you are interested in. I actually have a beef with the default WiFi settings being setup. (I've been tinkering with ASUS WiFi 7/BE98 Pro since the beginning of December 2023)....