Extender/booster for Plusnet 2 Hub

[#1]

I've just started streaming music and I'm having lots of break-up and loss of signal, so I guess I need a booster/extender.

The PN2 Hub is just over 6 meters from my streamer in the same room with no walls in between.

Any suggestions please?

Thanks

PS I do have a TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Dual Band VDSL/ADSL Modem Router, but the PN installer said I shouldn't use that as the PN2 Hub is much better

[#2]

@pete234356 

First up I would try the TP-Link unit to see if it works and what the WiFi is like.

Brian

[#3]

Thanks @bmc I did try the TP-Link some years ago to stream from my PC to a radio in the Kitchen about 2.5m away from the TP-Link router- it was awful.

So I'd hoped the Hub2 would work.

It is a bit better insofar as the stream works for a few minutes before breaking up, but it's still not useable.

[#4]

@pete234356 

Don't suppose an ethernet cable could be used?

My only other suggestion is to disable one of the WiFi bands on the Hub2 to see it that works. Unfortunately you can no longer "split" the bands by using different names for them.

Brian

[#5]

or try changing Wifi channels to avoid interference with adjacent networks.

[#6]

Thanks again @bmc I appreciate your help.

It's the ideal solution, but a cable is not going to happen.

I thought that a half-decent router could manage a signal that would work at a distance of about 6m, but it seems not.

I thought a booster/extender would work - is that not the case?

I'm not bothered by the cost, I just want to be able to stream from a router (I'll buy a new one if that will solve the problem) to my Naim streamer about 6m away.

[#7]

Thanks @MisterW 

Can you point me somewhere that shows how to do that please?

[#8]

@pete234356 

Do you have a Smartphone? I use an app on my Android phone called WiFi Analyzer which gives a graphical display of various signals locally to you and their relative strengths.

You might find that both you and a neighbour are on the same channel, and changing to a different one gives better results.

Note that on the 2.4GHz band, the way that channels overlap mean that it is best to stick to either 1, 6 and 11. A lot of equipment, (not sure about the Hub 2), only allow selection of those channels anyway.

[#9]

Thanks @Mr_Paul 

I installed the app.

Next to the router I get a signal strength of 110%-120%

By my streamer the strength is between about 45-50%

I've no idea how to change channels is there a link you can give me please?

[#10]

@pete234356
Crucially, can you see any other WiFi networks on the same channels as you that could be interfering?
To change channel you need to log in to your hub:
Put 192.168.1.254 in to a web browser on a PC, tablet, phone etc connected to your network. You should find your default login details on a removable card on the back of your hub.

[#11]

Cheers @Mr_Paul 

Is this the settings I need to change?

I can see my neighbours wifi as an option on my mobile phone

[#12]

Yes.
Did you see other, possibly interfering networks on the WiFi Analyzed app already using channels 11 and 36?
In my experience, "Smart" isn't verysmart - far better to select manually!

[#13]

The  problem with Smart is that the router sees adjacent network strengths from its location and adjusts the channel accordingly. . The strengths can be very different at the client location

[#14]

Thanks @Mr_Paul 

The Analyzer seems to show only my router

So I just change the channels to something else then save?

I got this warning come up - 

I just wanted to check that everything still work when I save the new settings? as I'll have no idea what to do if it doesn't

[#15]

@pete234356 

Going back to basics, what speed is the hub reporting, what are you getting next to the hub and what speed at the streamer location?