Can you split coax for two modems

Status
Not open for further replies.

LudinK

Distinguished
Jul 23, 2014
81
0
18,630
So we currently have our modem downstairs in the basement so our wifi signal in the the second floor is weak. I was considering getting a coax splitter and sending one signal upstairs as well and have a modem in both floors. I was just wondering if this is possible?
 
Solution
You could do it, but your cable company most likely only allows the provisioning of a single modem per household and would want to charge you for two connections if you used two modems.

What it sounds like you really need is a repeater or access point you can locate somewhere between your current modem/router combo and the upstairs floor.
You could do it, but your cable company most likely only allows the provisioning of a single modem per household and would want to charge you for two connections if you used two modems.

What it sounds like you really need is a repeater or access point you can locate somewhere between your current modem/router combo and the upstairs floor.
 
Solution
No. The modem talks to your cable company. If you have two of them on the same cable (split or otherwise), they will stomp over each others' signals. Different houses are able to connect over the same cable because they use different frequencies. But the only way you'll be able to use two modems in the same house is if you pay for two cable Internet subscriptions.

The little omnidirectional whip antennas ubiquitous on routers throw out a signal in the shape of a torus (a donut). Imagine dropping a donut onto the antenna, with the antenna going straight through the hole. If the antenna is pointed straight up, the signal strength is strongest to the sides. There's almost no signal (donut) going up/down. For a basement to 2nd story configuration, try tilting one or both antennas sideways so the meat of the donut is pointed up (and down) and intersects the areas of the 2nd floor where you need signal, not out to the sides. If the receiving device has an external antenna, it should be pointed in the same direction as the router antenna if possible.

http://mpantenna.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/FIGURE-1.png
 
You cannot split coax to two modem, you would need two separate internet line (more $$$)
What I recommend:

Buy a EnGenius repeater (I recommend EnGenius brand. More stable, good range, easy setup if you know a bit about wireless networks, and descent price ) newegg

I use this model in motel and they are the best compare to any other brand (dlink - linksys - ubiquiti)
all these brands needs weekly reset and such.


 
I would recommend you look at powerline devices first to get the signal upstairs. If that is not a option they do make devices that use the coax cable. They are not "modems" but they do the function you want. They are called MoCA. They allow you to carry a ethernet over coax. They are more expensive than powerline but if you want to use the coax it is a option.

In either case you would need a cheap router or AP to put out the wifi signal in the remote room. Both powerline and moca act as a ethernet cable. I think there are models of powerline,moca that have wifi but I have never used them.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.