Router / AP with good range to connect 50m without LOS

alfatekpt

Member
Apr 20, 2002
38
2
71
This is my scenario:


I want to connect via wifi the point 1 to point 2 (both are housing buildings). The distance is 50m or 164ft (google maps measured :) ). As you can see there is no direct line of sight and it's not possible to move the routers to have line of sight. Height is about the same in both places.

Both places are inside buildings so there is some signal loss because of walls. Both routers are at windows but still, there can be some interference. The space between the buildings is just open air.


I currently own an ISP provided router on 1) and a WRT54GL on point 2) acting as Wifi client. Wifi connection is reached but signal quality is around 20% which means only 11Mbps is available.

So I'm thinking my next upgrade should be to add a router/AP to point 1) that has a better signal transmission / range than my crappy ISP provided router. I'm also open to buy a new router for point 2) if that's need but first let's try to improve the 1) transmission power.


Anyone can give me some tips on a router or AP or range extender that has:
- Great power / long wifi range
- Detachable antennas (if it doesn't work I can buy more powerful antennas and try again)
- Price around $50 - amazon.com prices - I can go a bit higher if it's worth it in terms of power, but I don't need more speed, just stable connection.
- I don't care about wifi speed: 54Mbps is fine. No need for expensive 'ac' routers.



Currently I'm thinking about some tp-link products:
TL-WR841ND - $30
TL-WR1043ND - $48

I'm really inclined to get the WR841ND: it's very cheap and I can change the antennas.
Do anyone knows if the range is any good?
Any good suggestions from other brands?
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,545
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From the Inside to an Inside I doubt that any of the Entry Level Wireless Routers will work.

From Window to Window (or even better outside to outside).

Put additional Wireless Router configured as an Access Point at the source, and a second device configured as a Cleint Wireless bridge at the destination.




:cool:
 

alfatekpt

Member
Apr 20, 2002
38
2
71
From the Inside to an Inside I doubt that any of the Entry Level Wireless Routers will work.

From Window to Window (or even better outside to outside).

Put additional Wireless Router configured as an Access Point at the source, and a second device configured as a Cleint Wireless bridge at the destination.

Yes, it's window to window and it's a very short distance as you can see. My question is: what router/AP to get?
 

alfatekpt

Member
Apr 20, 2002
38
2
71

SecurityTheatre

Senior member
Aug 14, 2011
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Yes, it's window to window and it's a very short distance as you can see. My question is: what router/AP to get?

50m, through several walls is not a "very short distance".

The nominal indoor range of wifi is stated at 20m.

There are government-imposed power limitations, so it's not necessarily a "poor quality" router that causes signal issues.

I would suggest picking up a pair of directional antennas (yagi is probably best for this), but you will be unlikely to stay under $50 unless you make your own with some threaded bolts and Pringles cans. :)
 

alfatekpt

Member
Apr 20, 2002
38
2
71
Thx SecurityTheatre :) I mean short distance as compared to the 'pros' that link miles and miles :)

Currently I can get connection but at low speeds < 11Mbps that's why I'm thinking just upgrading to a better AP/router can give the difference to achieve stable 11Mbps / 18 / 24 that would be enough for me.
 

JoeMcJoe

Senior member
May 10, 2011
327
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Yeah, that isn't a short distance at all, through walls too.
Put an access point outside.
 

alfatekpt

Member
Apr 20, 2002
38
2
71
OK, I can put the AP outside but... any recommendations for which one to get?

No need to be "outdoor proof" as I can protect it from rain and sun.

Oh, and just to be clear: that's 50meters, window to window. not 50meters inside a building with multiple walls!
Anyway, that's not the point. What I need are good recommendations about brand/model that have good power/range for my price range...
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Thx SecurityTheatre :) I mean short distance as compared to the 'pros' that link miles and miles :)

Currently I can get connection but at low speeds < 11Mbps that's why I'm thinking just upgrading to a better AP/router can give the difference to achieve stable 11Mbps / 18 / 24 that would be enough for me.

anything over 50' is really going to call for "pro" gear.

You will need directional antennas and depending on the construction that may still not work without LOS.
 

alfatekpt

Member
Apr 20, 2002
38
2
71
Reliving this, I'm thinking about getting a nanostation loco m2 - NSM2L. Would that work or should I go to the nanostation m2 (not loco version)?

Also, nanostation has more power than picostation, correct?