Wi-Fi extenders?

[iceman]

I've got a Billion 7800N modem/router, and it's great - however there's some parts of the house where WiFi barely reaches and I'd like to get a stronger signal there.

I've seen/heard of Wi-Fi extenders..

How do they work?
What's the best one to get for my Billion?

Cheers and thanks

[BlackWidow]

Hi Mike. I use one of these to give me better WiFi in the back yard. I had trouble when I was using my laptop on my viewing nights. I purchased a Belkin unit and have been using it now for 2 years. I like Belkin products as they have a lifetime warranty on thier products. I had a power board that failed after 4 years and they replaced it with a new one no questions asked.. I have never had a problem with the extender dropping out and am glad I got it. Hope this a help.



Mardy

[iceman]

Thanks Mardy

How do they work?
Do they just need power?
Or do they need to be hard-wired to the modem/router too?

[Andy Walters]

Hi Mike,
I use a TP- Link N300 extender (forget the model#), inexpensive, does the job. Just plug in and away you go! I think you can use just about any extender and it would work.
Cheers Andy.:)

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Mike,

Yep, you can use pretty much any wifi extender with your Billion.

They simply need a power point as they wirelessly log on to the main router's signal as a client device and then reproduce the signal for that area.

I use a NETGEAR WN2000RPT Universal WiFi Range Extender for my Foxtel IQ box in the Games room which has no CAT 5 cabling, as the unit has a 4 port ethernet switch so I can plug a CAT5 cable into the Foxtel to get downloads.

Works a treat, cost less than $100.

You can even buy one from JB Hifi that simply plugs into a wall socket and has two aerials for even simpler extension of the wifi signal. http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/computers-laptops/computer-accessories/netgear-wn3000rp-universal-wi-fi-range-extender/657346



Cheers

Chris

[iceman]

Thanks guys.

Chris that one looks pretty good (NETGEAR WN2000RPT). I think I'll just get the same!

[mithrandir]

The NETGEAR WN2000RPT appears to be 802.11g but not 802.11n. The WN2500RP is both g and n.

[Allan_L]

Hi Mike,
Just last week I had need to research and purchase such a creature.
Instead of just getting a simple solution, I tried to future proof it and, what I ended up with is a Netcomm NP206.
It is a Wireless Powerline Kit.

So it does wireless rebroadcast AND provides two ethernet connection ports.

One piece plugs into a powerpoint near the router/modem and plugs into a spare ethernet port on the router/modem.

The other can be plugged into any power socket anywhere in the house, (YES even if it is on a separate circuit). It even works across "Multi Phase".

The second unit has two ethernet ports and a separate wireless broadcast (which appears as a new wifi source) and which can be turned on /off easily if you are concerned about wifi security.

I bought it from Office Works for $199.
But have seen it on eBay for less.

To protect the signal it uses some line filtering.

I am delighted with the results so far.
(And extra units can be bought to have wired outlets wherever you need a further ethernet connection (eg BluRay, Foxtel, Smart TV, etc).

You are welcome to come have a look if you are interested.
[I am not affiliated with any of the above businesses]

[allan gould]

I use the Netgear extender that Chris mentions above. Works excellently and extends the range out to my observatory. Our main router is a DLink and so the Netgear will work with anything and just needs power and a few button presses to connect and extend the range.
Cost me about $86 from Hardly Normal.

[iceman]

What's the implications of this?

[allan gould]

Sorry just checked and mine is a WN3000RP
Allan

[Craig_L]

Well I have a Netgear 3000RP - around $100 from Dick Smith. Says b/g/n. Needs power socket and to sort of be in line with the main wireless router so the instructions say. Seems to work okay - just puts an _EXT on the router name when you are scanning for modems. Uses the same password as your main router. But I wouldn't expect too much.

[Steffen]

802.11g only goes to 54Mbps link speeds, 802.11n goes up to 450Mbps, depending on antenna configuration. The extender should be as fast as the base station.

Cheers
Steffen.

[iceman]

My Billion is 802.11n, so sounds like the 802.11g would NOT be a good idea!

[mithrandir]

The other point of note is the Netgear WN2000RPT and WN2500RP ones have multiple ethernet ports and can act as a hub, say in your obs. They only do 10/100Mb and the rest of my LAN is gigabit.

[Tandum]

I've been using Netgear WN3000RP (http://www.netgear.com.au/home/products/wireless-range-extenders/WN3000RP.aspx) Wireless-N Universal Range Extender for pure wireless extenders. They are cheap (http://www.computeralliance.com.au/netgear-wn3000rp-wireless-n-universal-range-extender) and seem to work quite well.

[cventer]

I bought one of these 3 days ago

http://www.dlink.com.au/products/?pid=986

Cost $65 where I bought it and works perfectly with my Billion Wireless Router. Dead easy to setup.

I now have wireless in the toilet at back of the house for those long session with the ipad :-)

Its also VERY compact so you hardly notice it plugged into the wall

[John0z]

You have a couple of other options.

1. Wireless Access Point - this connects via a hardwire connection to give an additonal access point. We use a TP-Link TL-WA601G to add an additional wireless networks when my son's friends come over for an allnight gaming session (like 10 kids).

2. Ethernet over Power - these things plug into a power point near your router, then plug into the same power circuit somewhere else - then you get a ethernet connection. You can use this in conjunction with the access point.

3. Wireless bridge - a lot of routers have the capability of extending the range of existing wireless networks.

We tried quite a few of them when setting up our home wireless network, but in the end, we had to replace our cable modem and ended up with a wireless enabled cable modem but this was in the wrong position since it had to connect to the cable. So we now use a Wireless N Gigabit Router - TP-Link TL-WR1043ND directly connected in a central location, then this other wireless access point when we want additional connections for guests (to avoid giving them access to our more secured wireless).

[ReaPerMan]

I use the TP-Link WA730RE 150Mbps Wireless N Range Extender It's about $30 on ebay Its 150 Mbs and does everything I need. I wasn't getting a good signal in the back yard or in my shed. This fixed everything and has been running perfectly non stop for 2 years now.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TP-Link-WA730RE-150Mbps-Wireless-N-Range-Extender-2-4G-/250771884138?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a632b486a

[Exfso]

I also have the Billion 7800N, not sure if you are aware, but you can tweek the settings to give you more download speed. I have upped mine through tweeking by around 1500kbps. You do it by adjusting the SN ratio. It is all to do with the chipset it has. I went from 6500kbps to 8000kbps by mucking around with it and no dropouts. Apparently the chipset in that router is a hoot at handling unstable lines.

Here is the link to the page that discusses it: http://www.increasebroadbandspeed.co.uk/billion-7800n

[Terry B]

I have a similar problem concerning wireless range. My modem is in my office but doesn't reach the house due to 2 brick walls being in the way. I have an extender outside the door that then reaches one end of the house but it falls over regularly and needs to be restarted. This is a pest as it can be pretty cold here to go outside and reset it.
I have seen the extenders that use the 240v circuit but was somewhat skeptical about them and they are expensive to buy as an experiment.
I have a second phone socket in the house so could put a second modem and transmitter in the house.
Can you put 2 modems on the same line using the same account?

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Terry,

No, you can't put two ADSL modems on the same line.

Chris

[Terry B]

Thanks:D