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[williemctell]

I just installed a Netgear WN2500RP range extender as a media access point, i. e. only wired connections permitted.  My 5ghz signal strength from the DIR-826L has dropped from the -40 to -50 dBm range to less than 80 dBm at close range--less than 10' unobstructed line of sight from the router.  My firmware is current, v 1.04.  I'm assuming that the Netgear product has something to do with it, but the odd thing is that the signal strength remains the same whether or not the access point is on or off.  I can operate at 2.4 ghz, but there are many fewer 5 ghz devices close to my house than there are 2.4 ghz devices.  I'd prefer to have unshared channels for the things I have that support 5 ghz.  Any ideas would be appreciated.

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!

• What Hardware version is your router? Look at sticker under router.
• Link>What Firmware version is currently loaded? Found on the routers web page under status.
• What region are you located?

Wireless Configurations
Links>Wireless Installation Considerations and Managing Signal Congestion and Good Neighbour Policy

• Ensure the default (dlink) SSID name is changed. Can be anything and not something that's already in use by any neighboring WiFi routers. Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
• What wireless modes are you using?
• 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz routers: Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N on 2.4Ghz and single mode N on 5Ghz?
• Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
• Try setting a manual Channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.

the 826L and this other AP should be on different channels, I recommend using 11 on the 826L and 1 on the AP...

[williemctell]

As stated above the firmware version is 1.04.  The hardware version is A1.  Not sure about the definition of region.  I'm located in the US if that's a help.  There are no open channels in the 2.4 gHz range in my neighborhood.  The houses are too close together.  I'm currently on an open channel at 5 gHz.  Just tried single mode N on the 5 gHz channel with modest effect.  The signal is now in the -70 to -80 dBm range vs. the -80 to -90 range in mixed A and N.  I should reiterate that the signal strength on 5 gHz in most of the house was in the -40 to -50 dBm before adding the new access point.  I had been using a different access point and bought the new one because Airplay confused it to the point that I haven't been able to reconfigure it. 

[FurryNutz]

What is the distances between the router and this AP? Is the AP on different channels? If the extender is running in AP mode, then the channels need to be different on the and and the router. I recommend 36 or 48 on the main host router and 149 or higher on the AP.

 Apple Airplay Setup FAQ - How To Configure

[williemctell]

The access point is configured for wired clients only.  It doesn't broadcast a wireless signal.   I use it to connect a receiver, DVD player, and internet appliance.  The access point, as the crow flies, is about 15 feet from the router. 

[FurryNutz]

So this NG AP is set up in bridge mode or AP mode? If it's not broadcasting a signal then I presume it would be in Bridge mode or you have the NG wired up in AP mode with the radio disabled?

Could you draw us a diagram of how this is all set up?
Example, ISP modem> DIR-826L><Devices connected after router...

[williemctell]

I should reiterate that the signal strength on the 5gHz band is low whether or not the access point is powered on.  I can unplug it and not change anything.  It may not have anything to do with the problem except that the problem started when I installed the access point.  Before installing the access point the signal strength on the 5 gHz band was in the -40 to -50 dBm range in good reception areas in the house.  Now it's in the -75 to -90 dBm range at any distance from the router greater than a foot or less.  

[FurryNutz]

I wonder if there could be some 5Ghz interferences someplace....

Are there any walls or building structures between the router and the destination area? 5Ghz is best in line of sight. Building materials and such will effect 5Ghz since it such a high frequency...usually 1 wall away is ok.

[williemctell]

The mode of the access point is unclear.  It allows you to shut off the radio.  The software doesn't really, unlike most routers, define modes.  At any rate the access point is not broadcasting.  

Connection is:

Modem >DIR-826L>2 PCs (hard wired)
                        >access point (wireless)>receiver
                                                        >DVD player
                                                        >Logitech Revue

The persistent connections are in the group above.  A pc, 2 tablets, and a music player connect wirelessly to the DIR-826L off and on.  

[williemctell]

The 5gHz signal strength was in the -40 t0 -50 dBm range in most parts of the house before I installed the access point.  It's now in the -75 to -90 range at distances as little as 1 foot from the router.

I installed the access point because the receiver requires a wired connection. 

[FurryNutz]

Ok so the NG is connected to the 826L by wired connection or wireless? Are you using the NG like a wired switch?  If Wireless, I presume the NG is bridged then, so it would be broadcasting a single however only between the 826L and the NG....If you power off the NG, does the 5Ghz signal go back to normal levels?

[williemctell]

The 5 gHz signal remains low regardless of whether or not the access point is powered on.  It was, as I've mentioned before, in the -40 to -50 dBm range almost anywhere in the house before I installed the access point.  It's currently in the -75 to -90 dBm range at distances as little as a foot or so from the router in any direction. 

The access point is connected wirelessly to the router.  See the text schematic in my previous message. I'm using it to provide a required hard wired connection for my receiver.  I have the radio broadcast turned off on the access point because the router's wireless signal strength at 2.4 gHz is adequate throughout the house.  I'd prefer to have a usable signal at 5 gHz as well because my tablet supports 5 gHz and there are several conflict free 5 gHz channels available, unlike the 2.4 gHz band where every channel has at least one fairly strong signal. 

[FurryNutz]

You might reset the 826L and set it up from scratch as a test. Save the current config to file first. Turn OFF all other WiFi devices fully including this Bridge.

Test the 5Ghz radio out. I'm wondering if this bridge has somehow done something to the radio on the 826L...

[williemctell]

I tried resetting to factory defaults and reconfiguring the router.  It performs the same as it did before.   

[FurryNutz]

Before as in before you installed the NG or afterwards?