Advise on Improving Wi-Fi Signal Outdoor- Mesh/Range Extenders for Outdoor Security Cameras?

sammyla on 21/07/2021 - 13:19
Last edited 21/07/2021 - 14:40 by 1 other user

Hi Guys

I need some advise on improving WIFI signal outside, I get just enough(2 to 4 Mbps upload for HD viewing from some cameras and sometimes connections fail.

I have 38mbps line speed (10Mbps upload) its FTTN NBN so the speeds are not that bad, my area is getting upgraded to FTTP soon but i guess this doesn't mean anything as long as I don't have good signal outside, also thinking of upgrading to HDR cameras which would need very good upload speeds at least 2 to 4 Mbps per camera.

i have double brick in some areas and to make it worse i have a Colorbond pitched roof which I'm sure is obstructing WIFI signal to a certain degree.

Any advise on how to improve WIFI outside? i don't have experience with things like a Mesh, I use a TP link range extender in garage at front of house through RJ45 running through roof(cables already were there when I bought the house + another LAN network access point in lounge at front of the house ) still not great signal to some areas, well TP link is the basic range extender so cant have high expectations there either. issue is mainly front of house, signal at back of house is not really that bad but still need improvement. my wifi modem is a Netcomm NF18ACV, nothing special midrange I think.
Happy to spend money to upgrade or to get a Mesh??

Computing Wireless Access Point Wireless Router

Comments

  • boomramada on 21/07/2021 - 13:21

    Why not have a external camera with POE?

    • sammyla on 21/07/2021 - 13:23

      it will be a nightmare to run cables, honestly not my favorite thing to go up in roof, pitched roof sort of makes it hard in some areas, not much clearance.

      • boomramada on 21/07/2021 - 13:26

        So how you gonna power them? solar or battery?

  • sammyla on 21/07/2021 - 13:29

    current ones are a combination of battery and solar and 2 connected to power.

  • casho on 21/07/2021 - 13:52

    What is your current WIFI router? Maybe it is a bit crap so just update it

    • sammyla on 21/07/2021 - 14:51

      Netcomm NF18ACV modem router provided by Tangerine

      • casho on 21/07/2021 - 19:47

        Looks like pretty crappy WIFI on it. I'd recommend connecting it to a decent WIFI unit like an Asus RT-AX86U. That and my previous (and slightly less effective) WIFI router would allow me to use a wireless camera in the apartment complex garage through 30cm of concrete.

  • thatonethere on 21/07/2021 - 14:14
    +1

    Yeah I found colourbond is brutal on wifi signal. You should look at a mesh system that can do wifi as well as cable backhaul - then you can replace the range extender which is ugly.

  • Twix on 21/07/2021 - 14:32

    In regards to FTTP you don't get FTTP installed automatically and it can take up to another 2 years before you get it. nbn will only complete the install FTTP if you signup to a 100/20 and above plan.

    Don't use a wireless mesh if you have a colourbond roof and double brick throughout. Make use of your existing Ethernet wiring. Remove the range extender and maybe the AP depending on how old it is. In no particular order.

    1) use the NetComm NF18ACV VDSL2 modem with Ubiquiti Unifi access points. Ubiquiti make indoor and outdoor versions. Disable the NetComm NF18ACV Wi-Fi radio.

    2) use a TP-Link Deco X20-DSL with more Deco's connected up with the Ethernet wiring. Ignore the mesh marketing.

    • sammyla on 21/07/2021 - 14:50

      im in Berwick VIC which is fast tracked, guys came in and did the pipework or something in the pits last week, i think come November we can put an order in, but who knows anyway i can wait, im happy with the 38mbps for now.

      So ubiquiti access points are they power connected or ethernet connected, I only have 2 ethernet points inside house

      How do they connect to the modem if i disable wifi from modem?

      • Twix on 21/07/2021 - 22:31

        Berwick could be a nbn trial location if it goes live in November.

        Access points use Ethernet and get their power from a PoE injector or PoE switch.

        1) VDSL2 modem —- switch with PoE —- access point.

        2) VDSL2 modem —- PoE injector —- access point.

  • Porker on 21/07/2021 - 15:07

    I possibly have a similar issue with my WiFi (Eufy) cameras.

    On some days they work flawlessly, and others they don't.

    It's totally unreliable now.

    I did notice that on the days that they don't work, I have very weak 2.4ghz signal outside. I assume there's something in the area flooding the signal.

    The cameras will them return to working condition and then there is strong signal strength outside.

    It's not the router as there is strong 2.4ghz signal in the house and I can literally walk out my front door and then see the drop

  • cuteseal on 21/07/2021 - 16:19

    The other thing to look at is what camera system do you have?
    I know with Arlo (the old ones anyway), the base station itself broadcasts the network which the camera connects to, so you could have a super-duper router or a mesh network but the cameras still have to connect back to the base station.

    • sammyla on 21/07/2021 - 18:28

      Didn’t invest in really expensive cameras I got reolink Argus 3 Argus 2 and 2 reolink Lumus, they all do the job they dont have a base station as you know, I mean I hardly miss any notifications but my issue is the wifi speeds I’m thinking of upgrading to HDR possible arlo ultra but with current upload of 10mbps reduced to half of it outside I’d struggle to run those cameras, but have no experience with the ones that use a base station. Regardless I have a wifi signal obstruction.

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