Need to extend our wireless by just a few meters

[edutech4schools]

We have decided to start using a hut for meetings etc as we have no room in our small primary school, and although the wireless signal just about reaches I am worried it will drop off just when it's needed.

 

At the edge nearest the school I am getting 2 out of the 5 bars on my laptop but it drops down rapidly as I move to the middle of the hut.

 

Currently we have the basic Unifi WiFi around the school.

 

Would getting a longer range Unifi ap be better than a WiFi extender? Never used an extender, are they any good?

 

I cant seem to find any wifi extenders on the Ubiquiti Unifi website.

 

Open to all and any ideas, but must be cheap cheap.

[smithson83]

Do you have the option for MESH mode (not Depeche Mode), and use a standard Unifi AP?

(Sorry for the vagueness, I use ruckus)

[edutech4schools]

Not noticed anything in the software about Mesh modes so I would say not an option but not at the school until Thursday to double check.

[jamesreedersmith]

Yes - use another unifi and wirelessly uplink it.

[TIOAOA]

@edutech4schools I've a spare Unifi AP Long range sat on my desk, no power supply thou.

 

Reverse situation - we used to have some mobile clasrooms about 50m from our main building, worked great for us.

 

Yours if you want to try it out and pay the postage / collect(where you based)

[edutech4schools]

@TIOAOA WOW thanks. Hailsham, East Sussex

[edutech4schools]

@TIOAOA PM sent

[TIOAOA]

Ok postage it is I'm up North, do you want to figure out the logistics and PM me

[NumberSix]

I had a similar problem with a UniFi AP not reaching a part of the school by a few meters. On the AP in question I played around with the settings and got it to extend its reach by changing the channel and changed the 'Tx Power' from Auto to high. Also used a 'Wifi Analyzer' app to check the strength in certain areas. Edited December 8, 2015 by NumberSix

[synaesthesia]

Also worth a shot, is buying an external unifi AP as they have twin antenna. Leave one intact, and use a cable with antenna on the end (directional if you need) running outside pointing at the hut.

[dapaulio]

I bought a unifi UAP outdoor standard for less than £100 to cover the all weather pitch, outdoor netball court and the running track. It has an epic spread. 100m away clear line of sight and my wireless only dropped one bar.

 

I considered throttling the power on it as neighbours of the school approx. minimum 70m away from the AP complained to the school as they were told by their ISP we were affecting their domestic wireless signal.