Anyone had any luck with 9 dbi antennas?

[rajl]

I'm trying to improve the range and signal strength of my AC-66u router. Due to the location of cable outlets in my house, I don't have the option of placing my router in the middle of my house, which would solve all my problems. So I'm trying to find other solutions that will allow my router located on one side of my house to reach all of the rooms on the far side of my house.

I'm thinking of buying these to improve my wi-fi range and reception:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HMRJ8WK/?tag=snbforums-20

Anyone had any experience with these or a similar product before? If so, what kind of improvement, if any, can I expect to get out of these realistically speaking (as compared to the factory supplied antennas).

My other option is to buy a second router and some powerline adapters in order to place a second router in the middle of my house. While that may be the best solution, it's also going to be the most expensive solution. If I can get a good enough improvement for $20, I would rather go with that (if possible).

Thanks for any advice you can give me on the antennas in advance.

 

[bbb0777]

Edit: Ah, ignore me - I had misread your router model.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=19153

 

[RMerlin]

Instead of antennas, I'd suggest first installing SDK 5 Merlin Firmware:

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/bkfq2a6aebq68//Asuswrt-Merlin#ruz3vawxw25dl

There is no SDK5-based firmware for the RT-AC66U. This is a native SDK6 product, SDK5 doesn't support 802.11ac.

 

[rajl]

Instead of antennas, I'd suggest first installing SDK 5 Merlin Firmware:

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/bkfq2a6aebq68//Asuswrt-Merlin#ruz3vawxw25dl

Navigate to RT-N_66_All_Models > SDK 5 Driver > The last dated version

It's very likely that'd increase your range enough. On the newest firmwares the N66 is "good", but on SDK 5 it's back to "best I've ever used", which is why that router is so "famous" to begin with.

Though, I've never tried new antennas - but the above options is 1.) Free, and 2.) It seems as if most others haven't had much luck with larger antennas; I think because the antennas must be ridiculously larger to make any appreciable differences.

I'm already using the latest version of Merlin's firmware for my AC-66u, and it doesn't increase my signal strength or range measurably or noticeably (although I do enjoy the extra features it provides). Hence why I am looking at other alternatives.

 

[rajl]

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=19153

Thanks for the link. I didn't see it when I was google searching the topic.

 

[bbb0777]

There is no SDK5-based firmware for the RT-AC66U. This is a native SDK6 product, SDK5 doesn't support 802.11ac.

Whoops, I misread his model as N-66U. Thanks.