What are TBNers with fancy new Wireless N routers getting for range?

[newbury]

I stumbled (and did not bookmark ) across an article claiming that some of the newer wireless N routers with antennas like a porcupine were capable of "clear air" range of 500 feet due to some form of MIMO.

Are any TBN'ers getting this? And if so what brands/models?
/edit - by "getting this" I mean a fairly reliable two way connection 400 plus feet with minimal vegetation/obstruction

 

[RNeumann]

Since this is two way communication the antenna and radio on the other end will play a role. The wireless range didn’t/doesn’t change much between the different iterations. The quality of the send and receive antennas and radios plays a much larger role.

 

[JK22]

I am on my second upgrade of a dual band MIMO router. I have found that 2.4ghz still penetrates walls better than 5ghz N. We are in a 2 story + basement stick frame house, composite siding. Router is in an open loft area on top of a 7ft shelf. I can only get 2.4ghz in my basement. Barn is probably 100ft away, same construction materials, and I can barely get on the 2.4ghz out there (Can’t get on the 5ghz at all). Thinking about either mounting an external repeater on the side of the house or running an Ethernet cable out there in conduit. 500’ claims must be based on line of sight with no obstructions.

 

[JK22]

I am on my second upgrade of a dual band MIMO router. I have found that 2.4ghz still penetrates walls better than 5ghz N. We are in a 2 story + basement stick frame house, composite siding. Router is in an open loft area on top of a 7ft shelf. I can only get 2.4ghz in my basement. Barn is probably 100ft away, same construction materials, and I can barely get on the 2.4ghz out there (Can’t get on the 5ghz at all). Thinking about either mounting an external repeater on the side of the house or running an Ethernet cable out there in conduit. 500’ claims must be based on line of sight with no obstructions.

Edit to add: MIMO is all about sending data to more than one device simultaneously. It has nothing to do with range.

 

[snymat68]

FYI, "N" isn't "fancy new". It's been out for years. There's "AC" now. In general, lower frequencies (2.4GHz) will travel further, but higher frequencies (5 GHz) can transmit data at higher speeds. Here's some info of the different protocols (A, B, G, N, AC...)
WiFi Standards 82.11a/b/g/n vs. 82.11ac: Which is Best?

But to answer your question, even though I have an AC capable router, my cell phone (Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge) uses wireless N. I can pick up my router with a usable signal up to about 100' or so using 2.4 GHz, and may 50-75' using 5 GHz. My router is 5ft above the floor in my office in my single story brick house, so these number are with a few walls and some bricks in between.

 

[Mendonsy]

If you want to get distances reliably you need a "wireless bridge". These work well and are very reliable. ENH5 Point to Point Outdoor WiFi Bridge | EnGenius

 

[Grumpycat]

Some years ago I got tired of Linksys WiFi "routers" and bit the bullet to purchase a refurbished Apple Airport Extreme AirPort Extreme 82.11ac - Technical Specifications

Darn thing has been reliable as a rock. Then recently found 3 more at Goodwill. Hopefully now have a lifetime supply. Being Apple products the "new" 3 magically discovered the existing Extreme and appropriately copied config and joined the network as wireless unwired network extensions. Greatly improved my Ring cameras' RSSI numbers.

For some years there has been an "active" antenna technology using an array of antennas electronically steered for maximum gain. Some have this, including my 6th generation (discontinued) Apple Airport Extremes. When talking to your device the Access Point steers its antennas at you. Being electronic it can instantly steer at something else and flip back and forth.

Doesn't matter if your device has a lame antenna, with RF the net gain is the sum of transmitter gain plus receiver gain. Improve either end and the entire path benefits. There are vendors selling long distance WiFi links with physical high gain directional antennas. These ought to have special access points with modified WiFi protocol, and work best when like is talking to like to form a bridge. Some will bridge miles. If interested I suggest a search for Ubiquiti Networks: Ubiquiti Networks - Democratizing Professional Network Technology

 

[California]

If you want to get distances reliably you need a "wireless bridge". These work well and are very reliable. ENH5 Point to Point Outdoor WiFi Bridge | EnGenius

That looks excellent. Do you need one at each end?

What I'm using is EOP (Ethernet over Powerline) units, one at the incoming router to inject signal into the house wiring and another located at a back window facing the barns, where it receives the signal off the wall outlet. The EOP receiver feeds a wifi router just inside the window to broadcast to the yard.

I started out using a 'Tp-Link wpa4220 av500 - 300 mbps' EOP kit (now obsolete). Its receiver has two Ethernet cable outputs and also a wifi transmitter. But it failed as described in its reviews, it became unreliable after some months. I think the newer, faster versions (assuming the reviews are favorable) would be a good choice to provide a transmitter inside that back window.

 

[bunyip]

I used the EOP units but if the house has multiple circuits they may not work, my computer in the bedroom wouldn't and an outside unit didn't.
Not sure what I have now (not at home) but wifi is OK and have a range of about 50-200' depending upon direction from base unit, there is metal shielding in some areas and not others, we are 2.4 and 5ghz.

EOP, yes, you need one each end and you have to link them which is a simple process of just pressing the link button on one, running like fury to get to the other within 30 seconds and doing it also, we ran three receivers although they are all the same units that talk to each other, there was no specific module at the modem end, just four units, plus side they were not expensive, Think I paid ABOUT au$60 FOR THE 4.

 

[Mendonsy]

That looks excellent. Do you need one at each end?

Yes, it requires a pair to make a wireless connection between buildings. I installed a pair about 5 years ago to connect two buildings about 1/4 mile apart. I have never had any problems with them. As I recall, you can download the manuals from the Engenius website to get more information.