How to improve the range of my router?

[winterwonderland]

Im sharing my wireless network with my neighbor from time to time, but im uncertain on how i should configure my router (tp link archer c2 with newest firmware update) so it reaches the longest and so it works the best. I have placed the router as close as i can so it's closest to his house (the signal at my place is all good, but at his place, the signal switches from 1-3 arrows rather frequently when we test 2.4ghz).

my current setup is this:

2.4ghz > 11bgn mixed, channel 11, channel width auto, wds status disabled.
5ghz > 11a/n/ac mixed, auto channel (should i try manual channel, or?), channel width auto, wds disabled.

anything i should change, or?

 

[jboydgolfer]

What is the situation in regards to your separate homes? Meaning are they in a common structure, like apartments or duplexes? If their separate structures, what is the distance between your place and your neighbors? Is there any obstructions between your neighbors house and yours, meaning fences walls,that type of thing

Aside from the neighbor you're sharing Internet with,r therr many other neighbors ,is this a rural setting or urban?

 

[fullinfusion]

Try cross channel.. Try channel 5

I've got a shit pile of wifi around me on CH 3-6 and 11 and I get nothing but slow speed and crappy range. I cross channel on 5 which I know I shouldn't but hey let them worrie about it as I'm more less screwing with in between channels.

Grab your cell phone and in your browser get into your router and head to your neighbor's place.. Install Wi-Fi analyzer on your phone too and start changing channels and use the app to read the strength and repeat till he gets better coverage and also once done check it hasn't affected your place

 

[jboydgolfer]

If you or your neighbor has a spare router kicking around you could use it as a wireless access point as long as you can get it closer to his place and you still have power. It would be best to connect it with ethernet to the main router though, and he could connect to that router wirelessly which would get him closer, you can also buy an access point or a signal booster for a lot less than a separate Internet service...you shouldnt have a problem using just any old Wireless "G" or better router, it shouldnt need to be the same as the main router, and in my experience, only requires that You hook it to the main router like any other wired LAN device. Then you set up the 2nd routers wireless signal up, set the password, and share it with Your neighbor. thats in a nutshell, what i do for My kids network.

 

[winterwonderland]

The distance is like 10m from my house to his house. it's 2 separate houses/building. just regular standalone houses.

yes, we do have a spare router, actually. so, i should take this router to his place and somewhat connect it to my router? but i guess that is not possible since the ethernet cable would not stretch that far... unfortunately.

it's only my house (1 unit) and his house (1 unit) who are using the internet.

 

[AsRock]

If you or your neighbor has a spare router kicking around you could use it as a wireless access point as long as you can get it closer to his place and you still have power. It would be best to connect it with ethernet to the main router though, and he could connect to that router wirelessly which would get him closer, you can also buy an access point or a signal booster for a lot less than a separate Internet service...you shouldnt have a problem using just any old Wireless "G" or better router, it shouldnt need to be the same as the main router, and in my experience, only requires that You hook it to the main router like any other wired LAN device. Then you set up the 2nd routers wireless signal up, set the password, and share it with Your neighbor. thats in a nutshell, what i do for My kids network.

This^

 

[Tom.699]

It has detachable antennas, you could try replace them with better ones.
You need antenna with RP-SMA connector (two antennas)
Something like this
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ess_router_antenna-_-9SIAASP40M7700-_-Product

 

[OneCool]

No. Leave your router at your house. Position it as close to their location as possible.
Maybe they could get a booster in their house and configure it to boost your WiFi signal in their house.

Or maybe a better router on your end.

 

[Tom.699]

Also check where did you placed router, closest is not always best. Think what between router an a neighbor, few walls, tailed ones, some metal construction inside. Also placing it higher my help a bit - upstairs, on shelf rather than on a floor.

 

[winterwonderland]

It has detachable antennas, you could try replace them with better ones.
You need antenna with RP-SMA connector (two antennas)
Something like this
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ess_router_antenna-_-9SIAASP40M7700-_-Product

Hmmm, i shall take a look on that.

No. Leave your router at your house. Position it as close to their location as possible.
Maybe they could get a booster in their house and configure it to boost your WiFi signal in their house.

Or maybe a better router on your end.

What is this booster you're talking about? Any examples on an oky, cheap booster?

We were talking about getting a new router, but which one? the only one that seems to be decent within our budget is the Archer C7... any experiences with that? PS: love your avatar! Spinal was one of my favs.

 

[winterwonderland]

Also check where did you placed router, closest is not always best. Think what between router an a neighbor, few walls, tailed ones, some metal construction inside. Also placing it higher my help a bit - upstairs, on shelf rather than on a floor.

The router is actually by the window pointing towards my neighbor. It's not on the floor, though. About mid-air.

 

[winterwonderland]

No ideas about the above-mentioned things? Im still trying to solve this...

 

[bencrutz]

Hmmm, i shall take a look on that.



What is this booster you're talking about? Any examples on an oky, cheap booster?

We were talking about getting a new router, but which one? the only one that seems to be decent within our budget is the Archer C7... any experiences with that? PS: love your avatar! Spinal was one of my favs.

try out wifi range extender / repeater