Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
phillyrx
Newbie

Hi everyone,

So I live in a bit of an older home, and since the walls are pretty thick and everything is compartmentalized, my wifi signal doesn't reach everywhere with the best signal.  Below are the details of my set-up along with additional potentially-relevant information to provide context:

  • I have FiOS internet with basic cable (just downgraded from FiOS premium cable to save $$$)
  • The FiOS console is in basement
  • I have coax cables from the basement console going to: (internet) one router (the MI424WR Verizon FiOS Router) in office, and (cable TV) three TVs - one in the basement, one on 1st floor and one on 2nd floor.
  • My internet is only 2-3 bars in the location of the TV on the 1st floor.  This is probably where we spend the most time using our devices when I'm not working, and would need the greatest signal boost.
  • Since I've downgraded to basic cable, I'd like to be able to stream on-line content in the location of the 1st floor TV without too much lag.
  • It would be very difficult to string an ethernet cable from my current router in the office to another router in the 1st floor TV room.
  • In the past I've tried relatively cheap [$30] wifi extenders with no help.

I've read a bit about installing a second wireless router, but not sure if I can do it by just splitting the coax going to my 1st floor TV into another wireless router without an ethernet cable from the office-router.  (I'm okay with technology, but am somewhat behind in my understanding of wireless networks).

I'd like to spend less than $100 (assuming I'd need to buy another router - any recommendations?) to do it, if possible.

All suggestions (including non-second router recommendations) are greatly appreciated!!!  Also, details on how to hook up the configuration would be especially welcomed.  Thanks again and have a happy holiday!

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
jsk22
Enthusiast - Level 3

Have you tried moving your router to the 2nd floor?

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
phillyrx
Newbie

Hi jsk2,

Thanks for the suggestion.  No, I haven't tried to move the router to the 2nd floor.  Is that supposed to improve the signal house-wide?  The 2nd floor coax is on the opposite end of the house of the 1st floor coax.

Also, might  be a really stupid question, but can the coax cables be used interchangably?  (ie: the coax for my TV can be used for the router, and the coax for my router can be used for a TV)?

Thanks!

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
Sarsfield1
Enthusiast - Level 2

Try a different range extender.  I had a Diamond Multimedia WR300N and it doubled my connection speed.

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
phillyrx
Newbie

Thanks for the suggestion Sarsfield.

I'm not so sure I'm keen on the extender option for two reasons.  The first, albiet cheaply done, the first two I tried didn't work.  Secondly, I'm concerned that I read repeaters only transmit the signal at 50%.  I have pretty fast speeds now, so I'm not too concerned with losing 1/2, but if there is a better option, I'd like to try that.

For others that have used repeaters, any ones you've had good experiences with?  I'll keep the WR300N on my list to look up.

Thanks again in advance for your input!

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
gs0b
Community Leader
Community Leader

@phillyrx wrote:

Also, might  be a really stupid question, but can the coax cables be used interchangably?  (ie: the coax for my TV can be used for the router, and the coax for my router can be used for a TV)?


Yes

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
walt178
Specialist - Level 3

Three levels and thick walls are going to be a problem.  The best solution may be a power line range extender.  Using the existing power lines eliminates the obstruction problem.  They are available on Amazon.   You could also do an internet search for other sources. 

Note:  I've read good and bad about them.  But never used one so I can't offer a first hand opinion.

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader

@phillyrx wrote:

Hi jsk2,

Thanks for the suggestion.  No, I haven't tried to move the router to the 2nd floor.  Is that supposed to improve the signal house-wide?  The 2nd floor coax is on the opposite end of the house of the 1st floor coax.

Also, might  be a really stupid question, but can the coax cables be used interchangably?  (ie: the coax for my TV can be used for the router, and the coax for my router can be used for a TV)?

Thanks!


You don't mention what your tier is but I assume it's under 100mb?

any of the coax connectors can be used for tv AND router by adding a splitter - up to a max of 8 I believe.

Go onto ebay and get a couple of old fios routers and add one on each floor

Of course using ethernet would be a far better coice but I guess that's not an option

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
phillyrx
Newbie

Thanks gs0b!  Good to know that I can use them interchangably.

0 Likes
Re: Any suggestions for better wifi signal?
phillyrx
Newbie

Thanks walt178 - I've never heard of these.  I will definitely look into it!

0 Likes