ASUS RT-N66U Firmware Version 3.0.0.4.376.1071

[bluepoint]

I wonder why Asus would do that now when just recently the FCC has raised the transmit power to 1W in the 5G band. It seems to be not the time to do it.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-news/32435-higher-power-now-allowed-for-5-ghz-wi-fi

 

[L&LD]

bluepoint, I think this will be handled under the covers if/when other manufacturer's follow suit.

If it hasn't been accounted for already.

 

[RMerlin]

I wonder why Asus would do that now when just recently the FCC has raised the transmit power to 1W in the 5G band. It seems to be not the time to do it.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-news/32435-higher-power-now-allowed-for-5-ghz-wi-fi

Because in that same FCC decision, they also added the clause about manufacturers being forced to ensure that users do not override those settings. That 1W limit doesn't apply to every bands.

 

[jlake]

Because in that same FCC decision, they also added the clause about manufacturers being forced to ensure that users do not override those settings. That 1W limit doesn't apply to every bands.

This thread is about the RT-N66U. It's been around since 2011 or 2012.

So you're saying that manufacturers have to go back and apply the new FCC rules to all their old routers. I sure don't remember reading that part.

Why in the world would ASUS try and mess up their best selling router by unnecessarily applying new restrictive FCC rules to a three year old router? Whoever is advising them must be completely incompetent.

 

[Adamm]

This thread is about the RT-N66U. It's been around since 2011 or 2012.

So you're saying that manufacturers have to go back and apply the new FCC rules to all their old routers. I sure don't remember reading that part.

Why in the world would ASUS try and mess up their best selling router by unnecessarily applying new restrictive FCC rules to a three year old router? Whoever is advising them must be completely incompetent.

I assume this would be necessary for all software updates past a certain date, in Asus's case they keep models updated for years so they would be required to apply the restriction to any model they currently support with AsusWRT

 

[MarkyPancake]

I take it that this FCC ruling also means users will no longer be able to change the region of their router to gain access to more 5 GHz channels for example. Not something I've done myself, but I've read about it on here, as I was curious as to why my Virgin Media Superhub 2 gives me access to many more 5 GHz channels than the RT-N66U does, both are UK hardware revisions.

 

[RMerlin]

This thread is about the RT-N66U. It's been around since 2011 or 2012.

So you're saying that manufacturers have to go back and apply the new FCC rules to all their old routers. I sure don't remember reading that part.

Why in the world would ASUS try and mess up their best selling router by unnecessarily applying new restrictive FCC rules to a three year old router? Whoever is advising them must be completely incompetent.

AFAIK, as long they still sell the devices, the firmware must ensure its compliance, otherwise inventories might be seized.

I've seen the form the FCC asks them to fill. It's not reassuring.

 

[darkknight74]

Anyone tried this? Does it work well? Some bugs?

 

[wouterv]

Anyone tried this? Does it work well? Some bugs?

Tried what, firmware 3.0.0.4.376.1071?
Yes, it is running as smooth as before for me.
Yes, it has bugs.
At least the Client status overview still does not work properly (despite the new bells and whistles they added) and I read something about QoS and throughput.
Don't worry, every firmware update will have bugs

 

[wouterv]

AFAIK, as long they still sell the devices, the firmware must ensure its compliance, otherwise inventories might be seized.

I've seen the form the FCC asks them to fill. It's not reassuring.

I bet the point of view of Asus is simple: they will release new firmware for devices as long as feasible (I guess depending on how much of the code can be ported to or from newer devices). That is a blessing for the end user, many major router manufacturers stop firmware update support faster than lightning (e.g. Linksys).
To release new firmware Asus will at some points be forced to implement changes due to updated laws.
It is to the end user to enjoy the benfits such as security updates of the new firmware, including maybe the legal drawbacks.
No one will keep the end user from using older firmware if that better suits your needs.

Regarding TX power of a router: increasing the TX power only really helps if you also increase the TX power of the other end: the Client device. With many Client devices there is no way to increase the TX power. The number of bars for signal strenght (depending of the TX power of your router) is absolute no garantee for a better link or higher throughput.
Router/antenna locations, free line of sight and avoidance of obstacles are the major points of attention for a good link.
Radio wise we still talk about micro low TX power (80 mW or 120 mW is really a minor difference, 50% increase of power does not stand for a 50% longer range), with relative poor antennas and RF circuits (due to the pricing and mass production). Increasing power may simply have technical drawbacks (such as temperature issues) and is absolutely no garantee for better signals.

Those who have ever built their own radio transmitter may wonder how it is ever possible that wifi works so flawless.

There are dedicated high power wireless devices on the market, with usually also better antenna techniques and another pricing level.

 

[sm00thpapa]

My daughter upstairs gets my neighbors network better than ours. I was gonna ask him if she can connect to his network. LOL!

 

[wouterv]

My daughter upstairs gets my neighbors network better than ours. I was gonna ask him if she can connect to his network. LOL!

I can tell you it is exactly the same here. I believe the neighbors router is placed on the second floor (where the bed rooms are), adjacent to our daughters room. The walls between the different houses are no concrete and without steel armour.
Our own router is at the first floor, with a concrete floor with steel armour to the first floor.
The thing I really hate is that the neighbors router frequently changes its channel, often hopping onto the same channel as our router causing a very bad signal for us at the first floor. Setting our router 5 channels of clears that problem again.

[EDIT]
Today again: our router and the neighbors found both on channel 6! Our router is set to manual channel selection, obviously theirs has some non-smart automatic channel selecting mechanism.
I changed ours to channel 11 to get a good signal around the house again.

 

[sm00thpapa]

I got my daughter a 5GHz AC adapter. When connected to my RT-N66W with this firmware she gets 1 bar but she gets the full through put of my 60Mbps connection. In fact she gets 71Mbps with this adapter and it's the Linksys WUSB6300. Hopefully in a year I will have all AC devices and can ditch the 2.4GHz band.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jim769]

I got my daughter a 5GHz AC adapter. When connected to my RT-N66W with this firmware she gets 1 bar but she gets the full through put of my 60Mbps connection. In fact she gets 71Mbps with this adapter and it's the Linksys WUSB6300. Hopefully in a year I will have all AC devices and can ditch the 2.4GHz band.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Imagine how good it would work if you had a AC router. I have all but stopped using the 2.4 Ghz band just to crowded around here to even bother with it. My AC68U located right in the center of my 1700 square foot home covers the whole house with no less then 4 bars on any device and even outside in the yard. I dont have any AC devices yet except my Galaxy note 3 phone and it works real well. Very soon all my devices will be AC ready.

Looking forward to the next Merlin build for the 68U with some new features its been a month since the last release so i dont think it will be long.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Cool. I wish I can put my router in the center of my home but I can't due to my man cave being on the lower floor on one end of the house. What's worse I'm closer to the front of my house than my backyard and swimming pool on the side. So I'm working on a power line set up to get better wifi to my yard and pool. My wife has it set up like a mini resort. So I'm trying to get good wifi back their for family and guests. I'll figure it out soon hopefully. I know I'm wrong for this but my router is set up right in front of my 60 inch HDTV in which I know is killing my signal but there's nothing I can do about that. I'm also a gamer and have my consoles hard wired.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jim769]

Cool. I wish I can put my router in the center of my home but I can't due to my man cave being on the lower floor on one end of the house. What's worse I'm closer to the front of my house than my backyard and swimming pool on the side. So I'm working on a power line set up to get better wifi to my yard and pool. My wife has it set up like a mini resort. So I'm trying to get good wifi back their for family and guests. I'll figure it out soon hopefully. I know I'm wrong for this but my router is set up right in front of my 60 inch HDTV in which I know is killing my signal but there's nothing I can do about that. I'm also a gamer and have my consoles hard wired.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes if had the pool setup i would have full wifi there because as long as its summer i would always be right there..

 

[sm00thpapa]

Yes if had the pool setup i would have full wifi there because as long as its summer i would always be right there..

I'm in Florida it's always summer.

I have a 14x28 screen enclosed in ground pool.

Wifi out there is a must.

 

[RMerlin]

Looking forward to the next Merlin build for the 68U with some new features its been a month since the last release so i dont think it will be long.

I'm working 12+ hours a day these days, getting home close to midnight. Don't expect any release in the coming weeks.

 

[4Leaf]

!

I'm working 12+ hours a day these days, getting home close to midnight. Don't expect any release in the coming weeks.

We miss you spoiling us with ur awesome firmware every month!

 

[MarkyPancake]

I know I'm wrong for this but my router is set up right in front of my 60 inch HDTV in which I know is killing my signal but there's nothing I can do about that.

I have a similar router placement issue, except mine is behind the TV in the lounge, due to where the ISP installed their modem.