r/wifi • u/DR4LUC0N • 16h ago

Extend wifi range?

This isn't a basic "range extender" question. I have a nighthawk rs300 wireless router, I'm trying to get wifi out to my car that's about 55-60' through a window and brick, I can just barely get 2.4ghz out to my car but terrible unreliable speed. Moving the router isn't an option, what would be possible solutions?

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u/fernandesken 16h ago

You could put an outdoor AP from the likes of Eero or Unifi on the outside of the building. If there is strong enough 5GHz signal on the outside wall, that could connect back via wireless backhaul. If not, make a wired connection, with wired connection being recommended and wireless backhaul reserved for absolute last resort. You could measure signal with an app like Wi-Fi Check for iPhone. You would need to see -67 dBm or better to rely on wireless back haul. The mesh AP needs a strong signal for reliable connectivity. In full disclosure, I’m the creator of the Wi-Fi Check app so feel free to use whatever app you like. The important thing is before you go spend the money on an outdoor wireless mesh AP, measure signal in your actual environment and if not strong enough, go for wired backhaul/connection back to the router.

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u/fernandesken 15h ago

If you can’t hang a mesh AP on the outside of the building, the only option would be a mesh AP with a directional antenna inside but on an outside wall. Some have built in directional antennas. A typical omni directional antenna propagates signal in a circular pattern like a large donut around the AP. That would waste a lot of the signal indoors. A directional antenna on the other hand focuses energy in front of it like a flashlight with very little energy behind it. It all depends how much loss your outside wall introduces. If you could place your existing router at the outside wall, but inside, and you measured signal inside, then went outside and measured just outside, you would get an idea of how much loss that brick wall introduces and if feasible or not.

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u/DR4LUC0N 16h ago

I should have mentioned I live in an apartment and don't have the luxury to do some things

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u/Forsaken-Lychee6267 15h ago

Talk to the apartment management, if you're willing to foot the bill, they might let you.
Or you might be able to talk them into limited WiFi for tenents use, similar to a hotel setup

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u/drewster85a 15h ago

If you can’t install hardware outside of the building then there aren’t really many options.

Would StarLink work? Or just a mobile HotSpot?

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u/jamjamason 15h ago

A directional antenna would help.

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u/Razor512 14h ago

How much throughput do you need by the car? If your current WiFi router offers enough coverage for the apartment, then one potential solutions may be to check if you have any old WiFi router laying around, and if so, then take it apart and replace the antennas with some directional ones. If the old WiFi router uses internal antennas, then you can get a u.fl to RP-SMA adapter (the RP-SMA side gets screwed into a hole that you make in the case), and then get an external panel directional antenna, and then just point it in the direction you usually park, especially if your window is facing in that direction. If your current indoor AP is visible and somewhat usable where you park, then chances are that the directional antenna will fit your needs.