Your settins for best Wireless range from N66U?

[Jettubby]

I'm trying to maximize the router's range without burning the thing up so I was just curious as to what mW settings you guys were successfully using for best range. I'm using Merlin's firmware version x.26.

2.4GHz isn't much of a problem in range and I have it set for 150mW
5GHz is where I'm having issues with range. I currently have it set for 200mW

How high can you take this thing without frying it. It gets pretty hot as it is.

 

[Pericynthion]

I would be wary about running that radio at such high levels - not for temperature, but because of the impact on the SNR. In fact in a lot of my testing, increasing it has a negative effect on most close-range clients.

What may be worth experimenting with different channels (environmental) in the radio rather than letting it auto select.

Also you can expect significantly reduced range on the 5ghz vs 2ghz radios - if you check out the SNB reviews, thats where things like the EA-N66R come in handy to extend the read of a particular band into long distance areas.

 

[Jettubby]

I would be wary about running that radio at such high levels - not for temperature, but because of the impact on the SNR. In fact in a lot of my testing, increasing it has a negative effect on most close-range clients.

What may be worth experimenting with different channels (environmental) in the radio rather than letting it auto select.

Also you can expect significantly reduced range on the 5ghz vs 2ghz radios - if you check out the SNB reviews, thats where things like the EA-N66R come in handy to extend the read of a particular band into long distance areas.

Makes sense. So have you found staying with the default 80mW best?

 

[joegreat]

2.4GHz isn't much of a problem in range and I have it set for 150mW
5GHz is where I'm having issues with range. I currently have it set for 200mW

How high can you take this thing without frying it. It gets pretty hot as it is.

Hi,

Based on experiance:
- The router has a power management and the max. values are seldom reached
- No problem to leave it at highest power settings, as long a the temperature is not going crazy

But remember to pump up the power of your client devices also! Otherwise they will not reach the router...
Or you get more sensitive antennas (something like this one) to overcome the client WLAN weakness.

With kind regards
Joe

 

[Jettubby]

Hi,

Based on experiance:
- The router has a power management and the max. values are seldom reached
- No problem to leave it at highest power settings, as long a the temperature is not going crazy

But remember to pump up the power of your client devices also! Otherwise they will not reach the router...
Or you get more sensitive antennas (something like this one) to overcome the client WLAN weakness.

With kind regards
Joe

Joe,
Thanks for the tips. I just installed the Asus antenna along with 9db antennas on the sides. Definitely and increase in range but not huge. The problem I have is all my home networking stuff is located in a utility closet thus certainly cutting out some of the range. I'm getting good range now throughout the house even on 5.0GHz except for my front porch where we spend a lot of time in the summer. No 5.0GHz signal there and weak on 2.4. The range is only about 50' but going through several rooms and walls.

I have the values on the N66U set at their default transmission values for now. I'm going to play with the values and do some testing. Only last resort is to either move the router (not easy) or use an AP.

 

[DrTeeth]

I would be wary about running that radio at such high levels - not for temperature, but because of the impact on the SNR.

The deleterious effect of increasing the power has nothing to do with the SNR. All has been explained in other threads .


DrT

 

[stevech]

No matter the user interface desire for power, the lower levels of firmware will limit the power versus what is viable for the higher speeds. Typically, that's 30mW for the highest WiFi bit rate/modulation order. Some product increase a bit as modulation rates decrease, due to lower signal strength received from a given client device.

Technical: The peak-to-average power ratio increases as modulation rate increases in OFDM systems like 802.11g/n/ac. The high ratios required a "backoff" of average power to make "headroom" for the peaks at higher rates. If not done, the transmitted signal would be distorted causing lower throughput due to avoidable bit errors. Bit errors are supposed to be due to weak signals and interference- assuming the transmitted signal had essentially low distortion - see "rho" in 802.11/WiFi.

3rd party firmware such as DD-WRT if infamous in presenting the user with power choices that are ignored by the low level firmware that knows what rho the power amps in the product can accommodate vs. the current bitrate. If you have the right gear, you can measure the peak/average Tx power vs. what the GUI says.

 

[DrTeeth]

Exactly, driving the receiver out of linearity and not SNR. The transmitted signal can be clean and still induce distortion in the receiver. Some receivers may also suffer 'break-through' which is another kettle of fish to add to the mix.

 

[Jettubby]

Thanks guys....................so in English does boosting the power in Advanced settings increase the wireless range effectively or not? ;-)

 

[joegreat]

so in English does boosting the power in Advanced settings increase the wireless range effectively or not? ;-)

Hi,

The answer is: Yes and No! Or in plain englisch: Maybe!

Of course the higher power gives a wider range (pure physics), but
- The router Power Management might prevent the usage of higher power
- The legislation in your country might prevent the higher usage
- Your client device also needs higher power to reach the router!

If you want better reach (in both directions) you need
- to change the power settings to MAX power (at router AND client)
- AND set the country which allows HIGHER power
- AND have BETTER antennas at the router
- AND/OR HIGH POWER clients with BETTER antennas.

Does it clarify the topic?
Things are not that simple...

The simple way is: Set highest power on the Router, get better antennas at the router, have fun!
That's the way I did it and I have fun!!!

With kind regards
Joe

 

[Jettubby]

Joe,
I was kind of being facetious in my previous post. I duly appreciate your explanation. I understand the concepts but wasn't quite sure if increasing the power only increased noise as one post put it or actually helped with range. I am in the US. What 2.4ghz and 5ghz would you recommend starting with on the N66U and what is the max it will take by the way?

Thanks.

Hi,

The answer is: Yes and No! Or in plain englisch: Maybe!

Of course the higher power gives a wider range (pure physics), but
- The router Power Management might prevent the usage of higher power
- The legislation in your country might prevent the higher usage
- Your client device also needs higher power to reach the router!

If you want better reach (in both directions) you need
- to change the power settings to MAX power (at router AND client)
- AND set the country which allows HIGHER power
- AND have BETTER antennas at the router
- AND/OR HIGH POWER clients with BETTER antennas.

Does it clarify the topic?
Things are not that simple...

The simple way is: Set highest power on the Router, get better antennas at the router, have fun!
That's the way I did it and I have fun!!!

With kind regards
Joe