5 GHz Signal Strength Drop

[RMHC]

I bought my RT-AC66R two weeks ago. I immediately began experiencing what many others have reported, that the signal strength on the 5 GHz radio would drop significantly (using inSSIDer to measure) every day or so. It could be restored to full strength by rebooting the router or simply by hitting the "apply" button on the 5 GHz "Professional" tab.

Well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed but the problem seems to have gone away.

Over the past weekend, I played quite a while with the Tx power settings, changing them on both radios from the default 80 mW. Using inSSIDer, I saw no difference in signal strength when I increased it beyond 80, but I did see a drop when I decreased it below that level. So I ended up putting both radios back at 80.

Since then, I haven't seen the signal drop again. So it's as though playing with different settings and then reverting somehow caused the setting to "stick."

Maybe just coincidence and something else is at play here but perhaps worth a try for anyone else experiencing the signal drop issue.

 

[Pericynthion]

I've been compiling the new merlin software from source every few days, as it has the new (beta) Asus wireless drivers in - and I can tell you that the 5Ghz is rock-solid and has great range.

However my 2.4Ghz is horrible with wild fluctuations - so I guess it depends which downside you prefer.

Am waiting to hear on the next ASUS wireless (beta) driver release, to see if we can get some consistency.

 

[njweb]

I've been compiling the new merlin software from source every few days, as it has the new (beta) Asus wireless drivers in - and I can tell you that the 5Ghz is rock-solid and has great range.

However my 2.4Ghz is horrible with wild fluctuations - so I guess it depends which downside you prefer.

Am waiting to hear on the next ASUS wireless (beta) driver release, to see if we can get some consistency.

Interesting about the 2.4 GHz fluctuations you observed!
Since upgrading the the latest beta drivers I have been using my AC66U mostly with 5 GHz since I am using an 802/11ac (USB-AC53) wifi adapter on my primary desktop replacement laptop (18.4").

I'll have to test the 2.4 GHz stability tonight if I remember.

 

[Pericynthion]

I'll have to test the 2.4 GHz stability tonight if I remember.

Would be interested to see what you find - it goes wildly from being comparable to the 5Ghz to dropping to virtual <1Mbps throughput.
Like you all my active gear is 5Ghz, unfortunately the wife's iPhone and the Dropcams are 2.4Ghz

Based on other feedback, I think its very much client-adapter dependent - which would explain why certain things like by Brother printer never complain at all, but other just drop all throughput.

 

[njweb]

Would be interested to see what you find - it goes wildly from being comparable to the 5Ghz to dropping to virtual <1Mbps throughput.
Like you all my active gear is 5Ghz, unfortunately the wife's iPhone and the Dropcams are 2.4Ghz

Based on other feedback, I think its very much client-adapter dependent - which would explain why certain things like by Brother printer never complain at all, but other just drop all throughput.

I do know (just from my main laptop which is in the main room adjacent to the room where the router is located) that 2.4 GHz signal strength was highy stable (at that range) and 5 GHz was jumping wildly at times (albeit the spikes were for the better - even though I think they were inaccurate reports due to the new client software having bugs - e.g. -30 dBm compared to the typical -51 to -49 dBm.
I guess I can use SSIDer to check.

 

[Arrow]

Maybe just coincidence and something else is at play here but perhaps worth a try for anyone else experiencing the signal drop issue.

If you're talking about link rate dropping, then, no, that doesn't help.