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hightech316
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RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?

Fri Mar 21, 2025 5:27 pm

I'm currently using and very satisfied with my hAP ac3 router.

Now I'm trying to help my neighbor improve their connection to my WiFi signal (802.11). They're about 25-30 feet away with minimal obstructions between our properties.

I've been researching repeater options to install at their location to enhance their connection quality. During my search, I came across the mAP 2n (RBmAP2nD). Would this device function well as a repeater for this purpose? Or is using a 'repeater' not the optimal approach for extending my 5GHz network coverage to this distance?

Below I've included my current wireless config

Any insight would be appreciated !

Flags: X - disabled; R - running 

 0  R ;;; 2.4 ghz

      name="wlan1" mtu=1500 l2mtu=1600 mac-address=DC:2C:6E:5A:56:AC arp=enabled interface-type=IPQ4019 mode=ap-bridge ssid="homenet2" frequency=2412 band=2ghz-b/g/n channel-width=20/40mhz-XX 

      secondary-frequency="" scan-list=default wireless-protocol=any vlan-mode=no-tag vlan-id=1 wds-mode=disabled wds-default-bridge=none wds-ignore-ssid=no bridge-mode=enabled 

      default-authentication=yes default-forwarding=yes default-ap-tx-limit=0 default-client-tx-limit=0 hide-ssid=no security-profile=wpa2 compression=no 



 1  R ;;; 5ghz AC

      name="wlan2" mtu=1500 l2mtu=1600 mac-address=DC:2C:6E:5A:56:AD arp=enabled interface-type=IPQ4019 mode=ap-bridge ssid="homenet5" frequency=auto band=5ghz-a/n/ac channel-width=20/40/80mhz-XXXX 

      secondary-frequency="" scan-list=default wireless-protocol=802.11 vlan-mode=no-tag vlan-id=1 wds-mode=disabled wds-default-bridge=none wds-ignore-ssid=no bridge-mode=enabled 

      default-authentication=yes default-forwarding=yes default-ap-tx-limit=0 default-client-tx-limit=0 hide-ssid=no security-profile=wpa2 compression=no 
Last edited by hightech316 on Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 
itimo01
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Re: RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?

Fri Mar 21, 2025 7:17 pm

map doesnt have 5ghz.

If you can get a device with 2 wifi interfaces (2.4 and 5 ghz for example) and use one to connect to the ac3 and the other for clients.
The experience will be much better.

Otherwise, yes you can use the map as a repeater.
There's a button in the wireless package to set it up.
 
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mkx
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Re: RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?

Fri Mar 21, 2025 7:29 pm

They're about 250 feet away with minimal obstructions between our properties.

This is very far (even without any obstructions in between) for usual APs with omnidirectional antennas, intended to cover full circke around APs with radius of around 10m/30ft. You want to build point-to-point (PtP) link and for that it's necessary to use highly directional antennas.

Make an experiment: go to the other end with a smart phone and measure signal strength of your hAP ac3. If it's less than -70dBm, then you really need specialized gear for building P2P links.
 
hightech316
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Re: RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?

Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:25 pm

Thanks for the reply guys.

I didn't notice that the mAP didn't support 5ghz . Thank you

So, Yeah , I goofed up the distance :( . We are only at 32 feet :D

A while ago, I purchased an antenna, https://remo-electronics.com/products/r ... 2301-wifi/ . Works via RP-SMA connector but only 2.4ghz :( . I wonder if this would help any?

Is there a mikrotik product that I should look into , now that we are only 32' feet away :lol: :lol: :lol: Or should my hAP ac3 handle it ? Perhaps , as mentioned , upgraded antenna ?
 
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Re: RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?  [SOLVED]

Fri Mar 21, 2025 10:16 pm

Works via RP-SMA connector but only 2.4ghz
It's probably gonna destroy your 5ghz range. As in: your lucky if you get half of the original antennas :D

If you're looking for a dualband device, there's the following ones:

- wap ax (2.4+5) - Has quite directional antennas.
- hap ax² (2.4+5) - Basically a sphere around the device
- cap ax (2.4+5) - same as ax² but is quite more expensive than ax² where i live.
- Audience (2.4+5+5) - Has 3 Radios but only AC. You can use 1x5GHz for connecting to AC3 and still have 1x5GHz and 1x2.4Ghz free for clients. All with its own frequency.

If you can get a good price second hand:
- maybe ac² (2.4+5) - mostly same as ax² but with only 16MB storage it will probably be a struggle updating it. (I didn't have an issue running mine in repeater config and updating)
- cap ac (2.4+5) - same as ac² - I recently bought 2 used for the low price of 50 bucks delivered.
- wap ac (2.4+5) - same as ac² - I saw some cheap second hand recently

If you dont care about using the wifi-qcom(-ac) drivers then any dualband device should make for an alright repeater.
Keep in mind if you mix wifi-qcom(-ac) with "wireless" then you cant use "station bridge" only "station pseudobridge"
 
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mkx
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Re: RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?

Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:55 am

wAP ac or wAP ax might in your case work a bit better because of mild directivity of built-in antennas. But that won't do miracles. In any case, go to your neighbours and measure signal if your current AP at the spot where you'd place the WiFi repeater. Whatever you'll see, it'll be the base line and by using more appropriate devices (e.g. wAP <something>) you'll be able to achieve some improvement. Using slightly better equipment won't make it fly if now the signal level is low.

Also keep in mind that 5GHz signal gets attenuated more than 2.4GHz signal ... on any obstacle and also in "free air". So make sure you check 5GHz signal level if you plan to use 5GHz for the "wireless bridge"connection (and 5GHz does have a few advantages over 2.4GHz ... apart from signal attenuation).
 
hightech316
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Re: RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?

Sat Mar 22, 2025 4:49 pm

Works via RP-SMA connector but only 2.4ghz
It's probably gonna destroy your 5ghz range. As in: your lucky if you get half of the original antennas :D

If you dont care about using the wifi-qcom(-ac) drivers then any dualband device should make for an alright repeater.
Keep in mind if you mix wifi-qcom(-ac) with "wireless" then you cant use "station bridge" only "station pseudobridge"
That is what I was thinking . At the moment , neighbor is getting -65dBm on 2.4ghz and -72dBm on 5ghz ( i believe ).

Thanks for the list , I'll check those devices out .

I have yet to try the new package , looking forward to switching 8)
Also keep in mind that 5GHz signal gets attenuated more than 2.4GHz signal ... on any obstacle and also in "free air". So make sure you check 5GHz signal level if you plan to use 5GHz for the "wireless bridge"connection (and 5GHz does have a few advantages over 2.4GHz ... apart from signal attenuation).

Thanks . I've noticed majority of his devices are older and only use 2.4ghz :( He's getting around -60dBm to -70dBm .
 
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mkx
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Re: RBmAP2nD as repeater/extender ?

Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:53 pm

I've noticed majority of his devices are older and only use 2.4ghz :( He's getting around -60dBm to -70dBm .

The basic idea of a "well performing WiFi repeater" is to use separate radios for serving local clients and for linking to upstream AP. It's easiest to run those radios in different bands, one in 2.4GHz and one in 5GHz. Since the neighbour uses many 2.4GHz-only devices, this fixes the "client serving" radio to 2.4GHz, leaving 5GHz radio for linking to AP. Hence recomendation to measure 5GHz signal strength at the place where repeater will be positioned, because that determines whether repeater will be able to pass clients' traffic towards internet (and vice versa).