Help with Home Wi-Fi Router Upgrade

Sensei888 on 07/04/2024 - 20:02
Last edited 07/04/2024 - 20:08 by 1 other user

Hi,

Can someone please advise a cost effective way to upgrade my WIFI. I currently am having some dropouts in the living room labeled 'Dead Spot' in the image attached.

I don't think I can convince my wife of me spending $600+ on a triband mesh. I'm looking at perhaps putting a WIFI 6 router in the office as a access point and keeping the Netcom NF18ACV. Not sure if it will reach the living area as it is still on the opposite side of the house.

Thank you.

Notes:

  • FTTP 250/25 - in garage
  • Current router Netcom NF18ACV
  • Synology NAS currently in garage
  • Have one ethernet port in the office connected to the garage (See diagram)
  • Quest 3 - PCVR wirelessly would be nice

Image of Floorplan of house here

Internet Broadband FTTP nbn Wireless Router

Comments

  • GordonD on 07/04/2024 - 20:12
    +3

    What's a "COMP"?

    Run a cable to there, put the router there.

  • jurgen.lulz on 07/04/2024 - 20:32
    +3

    Do you really need a triband mesh?
    Can get something cheaper like Tenda https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CL4NJTKR
    and upgrade later in the future when wifi 7 devices are cheaper.

  • lemonteaorz on 07/04/2024 - 20:35

    When i was in China, I bought two ASUS XD4 to use mesh, it was 400 yuan (80 aus dollar i think?) and them worked perfectly for me.

  • congo on 07/04/2024 - 20:50

    Dual band iMesh from Asus.
    Get a good for the main one ($400-$500), the other nodes you can get a few cheap $130 Asus iMesh routers.

    Or run LAN cable along the floor and hide with cable raceway.
    Or go through the roof.

  • whitepuma on 07/04/2024 - 20:58
    +2

    If you can run an ethernet cable through the walls, under the house, or through the ceiling space connecting your existing router to another or a WAP might be your best bet.

    2 cheap routers/WAPS that can work together and are placed well work better than a single expensive router that's placed poorly.

    Ofcourse good routers placed properly is the ideal situation, but not everyone has the budget for that.

    • Sensei888 on 07/04/2024 - 21:14

      I would like to run cables myself, but I don't know how to do it. I also just looked it up and it says it's illegal to do yourself. I assume you have to knock holes in the wall etc, sounds like I would not succeed.

      • whitepuma on 08/04/2024 - 06:11
        +1

        Can you share where it says it's illegal? This is the first time I have heard running a network cable is illegal.

        Im aware that running and terminating power cable needs to be done by a licensed electrician, but yeah haven't heard about the network cable one

        • Sensei888 on 08/04/2024 - 08:55

          I read it here. Doesn't seem like a very good source https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/interne…

        • bazingaa on 08/04/2024 - 09:41

          network cable is illegal.

          it should be laid by a datacabler, not an electrician. I don't think any other country has this rule.
          I am running a WiFi link (Ethernet -> WiFi -> Ethernet ) from living room (where router is next to TV, thanks to HFC) to office room over 5 GHz AX at 1 Gbps exactly due to this reason.

        • TheOtherLeft on 08/04/2024 - 09:55
          +9

          Australia is a nanny state. They'd make it illegal to scratch your ar$e if they could. You'd have to get a NDIS approved ar$e scratcher to do it legally.

          • CyberMurning on 08/04/2024 - 14:14

            @TheOtherLeft: agree. network cable oh what can go wrong unless you are changing the power plate to have power and ethernet plug in one piece.

            • pencilhead on 08/04/2024 - 15:09
              +2

              @CyberMurning: There a cable separations between power and network. They say someone might put a nail or something in a wall and join power to network, making network live.

              BTW - I'm a licensed cabler and I think it's B.S.

          • pencilhead on 08/04/2024 - 15:07
            +1

            @TheOtherLeft: Yes. We are a nanny state. Most other countries, including New Zealand allow running cables / electrical and plumbing in your own home.
            NZ have less deaths / issues per capita then Australia, even though we are under the same rules.

            Education is everything. Electrical/Plumbing is a closed shop in Australia - Gotta protect the "Boys Club"

          • DoctorCalculon on 08/04/2024 - 19:35
            +1

            @TheOtherLeft:

            You'd have to get a NDIS approved ar$e scratcher to do it legally.

            Or, you can hire JV.

  • vince088 on 07/04/2024 - 21:17
    +2

    tenda nova mw6 - 3 pack for about $150 will fix your issues.

  • John Doh on 07/04/2024 - 21:17
    +2

    Pick up a cheap used RT-AC68U from marketplace and call it a day. Pretty sure solves your problem, if not sell it back on marketplace.

    • CyberMurning on 07/04/2024 - 21:56

      And how to use that? Is it just router? How to connect it to the main router? Also may main is tplink can you suggest one from the same brand? Also your way is better than getting tenda mesh?

      • John Doh on 08/04/2024 - 05:57
        +1

        Just replace the tplink wifi with RT-AC68U, set it at full power and you are good to go as its got a lot more power and range. Since its FTTP, NBN would have already placed a modem at your place and you just connect this directly to that. unless your house is multi-story you dont need a mesh afaik. This router is powerful enough. I paid 80 bux for mine and going strong since 3 years. I have tried using the same router in a large 2 story house and it was plenty enough when strategically placed close to the stair case and performed better than mesh with no need to switch over for the devices between mesh APs. No need for mesh in many cases actually.

        • CyberMurning on 08/04/2024 - 14:15

          wow didnt know RT-AC68U is that good i wish i knew when i bought my tplink archer AX73

          • John Doh on 08/04/2024 - 14:19

            @CyberMurning: Doesnt come cheap if you buy new. So it better be. Looking at AX73, even those antennas should nicely beam out signals. The problem is return path, that is the phone sending out signals should reach the router. So the gain of the router matters too in detecting and amplifying signals. In my house all devices work perfectly. Android phones, tablets, ipad, macbook etc. Only my relatives iPhone had a problem ;)

            • CyberMurning on 08/04/2024 - 14:22

              @John Doh: yep actually im happy with ax73 we are just small 2 level townhouse. only in one bathroom the signal become very week but still can browse. i cant move the location of the router unless dragging cables and create unpretty sight - also im still with FTTN

              • John Doh on 08/04/2024 - 14:29

                @CyberMurning: I have given up on unpretty site as I moved to different houses. In fact I have the router in garage and i prefer it there for nice VR play with car parked outside when needed. PC in study and i pefer ethernet cable and I have a 20m cable crawling to the study ;)

                • CyberMurning on 08/04/2024 - 14:54

                  @John Doh: when i upgrade to fttp i will have my router in garage too with my synology (so sad it will be dusty etc) then i will have to pay someone to go up and run ethernet cable from garage via roof to living room to connect router to TV (tv has wifi but i have not try using it to play PLEX - maybe i will tonight!)

                  • John Doh on 08/04/2024 - 14:57

                    @CyberMurning: You can always spend money on own house without feeling guilty. Good luck with testing.

    • John Doh on 08/04/2024 - 06:02

      Technically moving the existing TP link to the COMP desk with a cable drawn should solve the issues.

      • Sensei888 on 08/04/2024 - 08:59

        How would I get the cable from the NBN in the garage to the COMP though? Is that a particularly challenging process? I assume punch hole in the wall in garage. Go in the roof and run the cable down and fish for it through the hole. Buy some kind of cover and do the same in the other room?

        • John Doh on 08/04/2024 - 09:40

          Just draw the cable at the corner of the floor/wall and then tape it with a transperant tape. Since its a short distance, it should be totally fine and nobody would trip over it if taped. I have a cable drawn from garage to bedroom via corner of the floor lol.

  • dtc on 07/04/2024 - 22:10
    +1

    Just get the Deco M5 - $200 for 3 units, you might only need 2. Super easy set up through the Deco app. Its fast enough.

    Another potential option (depending on how your circuits are set up) is ethernet over power to the dead spot https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-Powerline-Gigabit-Wi-Fi-2-…

    • CyberMurning on 07/04/2024 - 22:32

      Is it much better than tenda?

      • dtc on 08/04/2024 - 08:57

        you mean a tenda mesh? Tenda is tri band so perhaps better (for some more cost) but better in theory. For 95% of users the difference is no noticeable - if you are online gaming or something it is, but the difference between a mesh that does 1gb and another than does 3gb is pointless when your base internet connection only does 100mbps and you only have 2 or 3 users. I dont know how easy tenda is to set up but Deco is super simple

        dont get analysis paralysis. Just buy a mesh system and set it up and you will be fine.

  • DemocracyManifest on 08/04/2024 - 06:20

    Change ISP and go to superloop and get a eero, or get a Telstra smart modem 3 cheap off marketplace

    • BuyOrNot on 08/04/2024 - 10:07

      ISP has nothing to do with wifi speeds though

      • DemocracyManifest on 08/04/2024 - 13:42

        Yeah but the netcomm modem is why he has dead spots, the Telstra antennas are way more powerful

  • Dorge on 08/04/2024 - 08:43
    +1

    Maybe a TP-Link AV600 Passthrough Powerline Starter Kit will do on the cheap and little effort.

  • bazingaa on 08/04/2024 - 09:42
    +1

    Get a proper AX AP. I use WAX206 for 250/25 HFC

    • Sensei888 on 08/04/2024 - 10:51

      Should I keep the current Netcom router in the garage and plug the access point in the ethernet outlet in my office?

  • Waltervp on 08/04/2024 - 10:23

    I solved my problems with this kit: TP-Link Deco M4 AC1200 (2-Pack)… https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07KJ2TDMR

    Description: TP-Link Deco AC1200 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi (2-Pack), Up to 1167 Mbps, Parental Controls, Seamless AI Roaming, Gaming & Streaming, Smart Home, Compatible with Starlink (Deco M4(2-Pack))

    • Waltervp on 09/04/2024 - 09:39

      Under $120 !!!

  • iminabrons on 08/04/2024 - 12:32
    +1

    If you try every one of the suggestions offered, the total cost is; $3,268 and about 8 hours labour. Good luck.

  • Sensei888 on 08/04/2024 - 14:15

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still not sure what I'm gonna do lol. I'm thinking access point in the office but have no idea if the Netcom router will like it.

    • CyberMurning on 08/04/2024 - 14:19

      mesh mesh mesh… spend $ once and be happy for long time

  • Ramrunner on 08/04/2024 - 16:08

    Wired access point directly above your dead spot. Wire it back to the router like you did with the ethernet to the office.

    Guaranteed to solve the issue.

    Everything else will be ultimately slower.

    If the mesh you're considering is tri-band (doubt it at your price point) -with dedicated backhaul then it will be negligible but there's always that extra hop adding latency.

    Been doing this ever since 802.11b WiFi was a thing and have Ubiquiti credentials. I DO recommend Ubiquiti because I know it works but any decent AP will do.

  • peteru on 09/04/2024 - 04:28
    +1

    Before you spend money on a new router, try to put the router on the window sill in the garage. That's might solve your problem. Running a couple of metres of ethernet cable and even an extension cord in the garage should be pretty trivial. Up on the wall, over the door and you're there.

    • CyberMurning on 09/04/2024 - 09:03

      yep. use some cable organiser or cable hook or clip whatever they call it. probably $10 for 100pcs on aliexpress

  • Sensei888 on 10/04/2024 - 13:07

    I ended up getting a 3 unit Tenda Mw12 mesh from marketplace for $100.

    Happy with it so far, it worked straight away. The Synology NAS is working. Also doubled the wifi speed at the dead spot in the lounge.

    My Amazon fire stick is now working properly as well.

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