HG659 wireless question

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › HG659 wireless question

AdamMorrison

6 posts

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#177705 12-Aug-2015 01:47

Hi, just got fibre installed the other day...

I live in an old house which seems to have walls made of lead or something as all previous wireless setups have struggled here. Was wondering about the wireless setup on the HG659.

Currently I have it broadcasting both 2.4 and 5 ghz (G and N i think?), the N one is about twice as fast but only covers half the house, the G one just barely covers the whole house but still occasionally drops connection. And the connection is too slow to stream video reliably to the other end of the house.

I was wondering if disabling the N network would have any effect on the strength of the G network ? or any other things I can do to maximize range / performance ?

Thanks.

PeterReader

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#1363315 12-Aug-2015 01:47

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

DarkShadow

1647 posts

Uber Geek

#1363327 12-Aug-2015 02:04

Your router does 2.4GHz (b,g,n) and 5GHz (n,ac). 2.4 has more penetrating power, but can only support slower speed. Vice versa for 5. They shouldn't interfere with each other so disabling one won't help the other.

Your best option is to stick another access point at the other end of the house and run an ethernet cable between the two.

AdamMorrison

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1363329 12-Aug-2015 02:43

ah ok, thanks very much.

Apsattv

2390 posts

Uber Geek

#1363374 12-Aug-2015 07:32

Not sure where my reply went but get yourself a Dlink N300 WIFI network extender. It will create a new 2.4/5ghz repeater hotspot to extend your coverage. Easy to setup. No need to drill holes and run extra Ethernet cabling back.

As for existing performance have you experimented with any wifi analyser software to make sure you are on a clean channel. Or tried placing your router higher etc?

johnr

19282 posts

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#1363393 12-Aug-2015 08:28

Vodafone has released an update the other day for the HG659 thread on geekzone about it

AdamMorrison

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1364724 12-Aug-2015 16:06

Apsattv: Not sure where my reply went but get yourself a Dlink N300 WIFI network extender. It will create a new 2.4/5ghz repeater hotspot to extend your coverage. Easy to setup. No need to drill holes and run extra Ethernet cabling back.

As for existing performance have you experimented with any wifi analyser software to make sure you are on a clean channel. Or tried placing your router higher etc?

thanks, I will look into wifi network extender, as running an ethernet cable would be a hassle. I have moved the router around/up a bit, has helped a little, I'll check out some wifi analyser software, thanks for the suggestion.

I've also just updated to the latest firmware so will do some tests later to see if that has helped.

But first I have to call vodafone, some voip issues still to sort :P

Jase2985

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#1364729 12-Aug-2015 16:13

an extender will generally half the available bandwidth

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sbiddle

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#1364734 12-Aug-2015 16:19

Extenders aren't a fix for a problem, they typically are the cause of an even bigger problem.

The biggest issue being that people place these where they have no coverage thinking they'll magically fix the issue. You then have something in a dead spot with very poor RX and TX performance dragging down the entire existing router/AP, half the maximum throughput as well (which is how they work by design) and the result is a problem, not a solution.

If wireless is poor buy 2 x Ethernet over power adapters and an additional access point.

Unless you understand WiFi they should be avoided at all costs. If they are going to be used, they need to be placed somewhere where signal strength is good (is under 70dB) to avoid dragging down the performance of devices connected to the original AP/router.

jlittle

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#1365133 12-Aug-2015 23:30

sbiddle:
If wireless is poor buy 2 x Ethernet over power adapters and an additional access point.

I'll second that. Really great flexibility compared to running cable.