[SOLVED] Wifi antenna connector to RJ45, then back to wifi antenna connector?

[Eriksen89]

Hi all,

I was wondering about the doability of an idea I had; Wifi antenna connector (BNC?) to RJ45, then back to wifi antenna connector. Perhaps something like this has been done before?

I have several RJ connection points in my house and I have considered using AP's for better wifi coverage, but this idea of just "extending" or de-centralising the antennas of the existing router seems like it could be a good alternative.

Here is a sketch in case I'm not doing a good job explaining what I want to achieve:



Is this possible? Is this a bad idea in more ways than just an AP being simpler?

 

[Lutfij]

We will need to know the length of the wire you want to run between antenna to router. Also, the idea might be moot considering that the wire used in the WiFi antenna's are very thin/flimsy/delicate, so latency can and will come into play. Range extenders and yes an AP would be a simpler solution than having to splice wires. On second thoughts, if your router has detachable antenna's, you could look for a higher bBi rating antenna to increase the range then again it will also depend on your router's placement in order for your to get full affect of your purchase(s).

 

[BFG-9000]

At wifi frequencies, every foot of cable to an antenna attenuates the signal considerably, and that's with coax cable designed to run at that frequency. Using instead Cat6a cable designed for only up to 500MHz (250MHz for Cat6 and gasp, only 100MHz for Cat5e) sounds like a recipe for no signal at all.

Nope, an AP in each room is how to get the most performance at 5GHz when you have RJ45 jacks

 

[Ralston18]

Not workable. Antennas use a coaxial cable.

The connection between the outlets is twisted pair wiring.

There are a number of factors involved.

FYI:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_feed

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/coaxial-cable-guide

ln some cases MoCA can be used to extend Ethernet connections via Coax:

https://us.hitrontech.com/learn/how-do-i-convert-coaxial-to-ethernet/

But that is a different requirement with respect to "extending" an antenna. And antennas are used in pairs.

You may have other options:

https://www.solaredge.com/sites/def...eway-wireless-repeater-installation-guide.pdf

Another suggestion:

Powerline adapters.

https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-powerline-extenders

 

[Eriksen89]

Thanks for the super fast replies everyone.

Some very good points being made here, especially about the CAT5/6 supported frequencies.

I have doubts about higher dBi rated antennas after seeing some tests on youtube. I did however come across a 4W amplifier that worked well in tests, although it operates at such a high temperature that I am not comfortable using it.

One of the biggest drawbacks with the AP approach in my case is that the distances are too short to not get interference between the AP and router, but one thing I had not considered is just disabling the 2.4GHz band on the AP to limit its range. The 5GHz signal is almost non-existent in the target area. Most my stuff is on 2.4GHz, and the extra range is really just needed in my bedroom from streaming movies.

Thanks again for the good points and helping me think differently about this. AP and 5GHz only is what I'll do.

 

[kanewolf]

One of the biggest drawbacks with the AP approach in my case is that the distances are too short to not get interference between the AP and router, but one thing I had not considered is just disabling the 2.4GHz band on the AP to limit its range. The 5GHz signal is almost non-existent in the target area. Most my stuff is on 2.4GHz, and the extra range is really just needed in my bedroom from streaming movies.

You won't get interference if the AP and router are on different channels. In 2.4Ghz, run the router on channel 1, 6, or 11 and 20Mhz channel width, and the AP on a different channel from that list and on 20Mhz channel width.
5Ghz is a little better. With 40Mhz channel width you can have multiple APs which won't conflict.

 

[BFG-9000]

While you should indeed use different channels if possible, with only three effective channels on 2.4GHz you are going to have to have duplicates if you use enough APs. Fortunately, APs actually coexist very well on the same channel--it's only idiot neighbors who choose in-between overlapping channels like 4 or 9 that cause interference issues.

5Ghz routers rated AC3100 or AC3200 and up, or mesh devices, are actually two 5GHz radios in the same box and even that doesn't cause interference. The situation with 5GHz is pretty silly though--the more channels bonded together and the more complicated the modulation scheme results in a larger marketing number to put on the box. Unfortunately both of these require ever higher signal strength to actually work and 160MHz wide 1024-QAM only works to about three feet away before it starts to fall-back to more realistic, slower modes. Add to that the higher the frequency, the less far it goes + the fewer walls it can penetrate, and you get the suggestion for a 5GHz AP in every room.

The number of 5GHz channels used up by going to 160MHz has now led us to the new 6GHz Wifi 6E to give us more channels. And go even less far.

 

[Eriksen89]

Thanks guys, I'll set the AP up with a different channel from the router. I take it the auto channel selection is no good?

Speaking of the AC3200; thats the one I have. The AP I have is the RP-AC52.

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks guys, I'll set the AP up with a different channel from the router. I take it the auto channel selection is no good?

Speaking of the AC3200; thats the one I have. The AP I have is the RP-AC52.

IMO, no "auto" is not good. You are smarter than the stupid firmware in home routers.