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[Panther57]

I have an AC1750 (DIR-868L) and the AC1200 (DWA-182).
At aprox. 25' I am getting on average 4 bars on 2.4GHZ and only 2 bars on 5GHz. I don't know if it's a setting change that's needed or something else?

I am set.. Enable Wireless 'always',  802.11 Mode: Mixed 802.11ac only, Transmission Rate: Best (Automatic), Channel Width: 20/40/80 MHz (Auto). Security Mode: WPA-Personal

I was expecting the 5GHz band to be stronger than the 2.4GHz band? I am using it for wireless connectivity to an HTPC. The HDTV picture and connection is good, with occasional digital bursts, or weak connection. I see between 85% and as low as 68% connection in 5GHz. Next to it I see a much stronger and stable 2.4GHz connection. Shouldn't the 5GHz be stronger, more distance.. better than the 2.4GHz band?

There is almost no line of transmission interference. One wall, possibly slightly by another and again only 25' away. I would think that there would be full strength bars at this distance? Thanks for advice.

[FurryNutz]

Not sure about 25'.
What happens with Mixed Mode on 5Ghz? What FW is currently loaded on the 868L?

[demarton]

higher frequency = lower range.
Advantage of 5GHz over 2.4GHz is less interference, this could means between unusable (full bar signal) but no data passing through, or 2 bars but full connetivity on 5GHz, it really depends on you environment though, how much interference and neighbouring wifi, bluetooth, microwave around.

[FurryNutz]

Also what HW Rev is the 182? 

[Panther57]

Furrynutz,

My FW is v1.01, HW vA1

I reset as mixed. I'm not sure how mixed will help, since I can only connect to one at a time. It would be nice if there was an 'auto' selection of what is better if another band is weak for some reason. It's not an annoying low signal for my HTPC, but it does as I stated. With the new 801.11ac and a lower range as told to me by demarton.. it doesn't seem to be a good selling point. I have tried both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands for my HTPC. Yes, the 5Ghz is a better quality and stability when the signal is up. The 2.4 does work and the range is longer. If 25' is a lot for 5GHz?? Who uses a wireless connection much closer? Used in a laptop, it would be all over the house and even outside. That's more than 25' at times. I'd like to think that demarton is wrong and that being new, this is a range issue to improve. Other than my post questions, I am here to also report to help if it does. Yes, there are interferences that effect performance. Everyone has them, but I have a straight line with almost nothing but a wall.

I appreciate you advice and I hope a future FW will improve this. My CATV tech was very interested in how the 5GHz will workout. It appears to be a conversation among some of them. I even gave one permission to contact me about my results. So, in the tech world this seems to be product of interest. How can they improve on what we already offer, I was asked? The UBEE router now in Bridge mode has 5GHz. Not dual transmission, but a choice. Distance was a consideration of question by the rep I spoke to. I hope the future will have a better 5GHz range. I am happy and it's doing the job I want and I will be adding cameras in the future, but that's a different situation with questions.  




demarton,
I hope the range is improved. Close does little for real use. But the better quality is great.

[FurryNutz]

One thing that is a nature of the beast is that using 5Ghz, such a high frequency, can be impacted by building materials and other surrounding constructions, wood, metal or anything else. 5Ghz is not like 2.4Ghz where it has better range and penetration through materials. Its the nature of the 5Ghz beast and works well in shorter ranges and best in LINE of Sight. I use my Mac Book Pro on 5Ghz in close range or at most 20' away from the router. Single isn't like that of  at the range however it's good for general Internet surfing and some streaming of audio and video. Never really had a problem on 5Ghz around my house and it's a 2200 sq ft house.

[Panther57]

I have not yet tried it in my laptop, to see the full range of 5GHz. My home is an early 1970's with hard plaster type sheet rock. I also had a similar problem with 'power line' adapters. Interference and the need to be on the same circuit breaker for better results.

I moved my router in a way to give even a better line of site. I only get intermittent signal reduction, but I do get it. Between 2.4 and 5Ghz.. 5Ghz is by far better. My goal was to remove a lan cable off the floor for my HTPC and to avoid wall installation. I believe this is going to do the job. I can live with intermittent, temporary signal reduction. 2.4 just doesn't seem as good for my goals. Just one more bar. I believe that would be the power that would make my signal continuous. It will be a shorter distance and I am considering using a longer lan cable to move my router to the other end of the room.

This is a keeper. Even with my questions, it is the best result I have found. Plus the android app offers beneficial use. Thanks again for your help.   

[FurryNutz]

You may want to install a extender or maybe a repeater...bridge maybe.

[Panther57]

That's an idea. Today I installed the v1.02 FW. I saw 3 bars, then back to 2 on 5GHz, but an improvement. I have not seen a stutter in my HTPC video since. Hope it stays that way. I am running an: SiliconeDust HD Homerun triple digital tuner, that also runs thru the router for my cable hdtv.

I there a model for extender you recommend if I do so down the road?


Thanks

[Panther57]

I made a strange discovery....

I got introduced to the 5GHz 801.11ac thru a friend. Yesterday I installed fw v1.02 and as stated now see 2-3bars, an improvement. But, here's my discovery. If I look at the windows connectivity status it shows 2(3) bars. High 2, hitting 3 bars. But, when I look at the D-Link utility, it shows a steady 4 bars. So, now I'm wondering why the D-Link utility has a better signal report than the windows report?

So, I mention it to my friend, and he had a competitive model, dual band receiver. For trial he lent me his receiver last night. The receiver reports the same 4 bars. On both the utility, and the windows status report. So, now I am thinking that the D-Link utility is correct reporting 4 bars, and the 2-3 bar report is wrong? Is it a driver issue? I ran windows update and no new driver showed up.

I do not see any difference in the quality or steadiness of signal between the two different dual band receiver's. Now, I believe that I am getting 4bars and the windows report is wrong. Why does the D-Link have an unequal report between the 2 areas, and the competitive one reports that same at both locations? I am returning the borrowed one and reinstalling the D-Link, and just believing that it's some kind of error or needed update to correct the windows error report? I do have to admit that I was so focused on the windows report, that I did not take notice if the D-Link utility was reporting 4bars before the FW update? I looked at signal percentages and channels only.

[FurryNutz]

Usually MS Wifi reporting isn't as good as OEM software. I tend to take MS results with a grain of salt. Even with connection speeds.

[Panther57]

FurryNutz...

I am using the 5Ghz for my HTPC with no problems, even though MS reports just 2 bars. My signal is a good quality and steady. The D-Link program does show 4 bars.

I also have and tried a TP-Link (dirty word..lol).. receiver. It showed equal reports with MS and their program. This has me wondering if it's just how the D-Link receiver is.. how should I say... making me think that it's just a correctable software issue to report equally?? That's why I even wrote in.

That said I am using all D-Link and I am one very happy camper. I have even moved my HDTV and the signal quality is as good a hard wired. Yea... what a benefit. Freedom to be where ever I want 'wireless'.

[FurryNutz]

Enjoy.