Wireless Stability, Range issues

[crg]

I have been trying to get 2 rt-ac66r routers configured and stable for 3 months. I have tried dozens of permutations with respect to channel, frequency etc. I even changed isp's. I still get very spotty performance. I regularly get dropped connections even when I am 30 feet away. Performance/raw throughput is also not acceptable. Currently I have one of these routers in my office and another operating in repeater mode half way across the house. Perf is horrible everywhere as I said. I have checked channel interference and changed that a few times. Did I maybe just get a bad one? From what I have read these are supposed to be awesome routers. Unfortunately I do not have the option of running Ethernet to another location and hard wiring the other router. Besides I do not think that will help all that much in this case because the distance does not appear to be the issue. I get spotty connectivity when i am only a short distance away. I have looked into other vendors but would prefer not to have to ditch these as i put some good money into them. If that is the best way then what would be a good one(s) to get. Ubiquiti is appealing..Thoughts?

 

[BWR]

Which firmware are you using?

I'm currently using an AC66U at the office with the latest 374.43 fork. Tweaks include 300mW output, region unlocking and a higher channel set on the 5GHz band (100 DFS).

It's been rock solid for a few months now and has excellent throughput with 40+ total wireless clients on both 2.4 and 5GHz bands.

 

[crg]

Firmware

I am using 3.0.0.4.376_1123 but its not merlin its just stock. Should i just flash it for merlin?

 

[BWR]

Definitely. I'd recommend you give the Merlin fork a try first, the wireless drivers in it are great.

 

[stevech]

I have been trying to get 2 rt-ac66r routers configured and stable for 3 months. I have tried dozens of permutations with respect to channel, frequency etc. I even changed isp's. I still get very spotty performance. I regularly get dropped connections even when I am 30 feet away. Performance/raw throughput is also not acceptable. Currently I have one of these routers in my office and another operating in repeater mode half way across the house. Perf is horrible everywhere as I said. I have checked channel interference and changed that a few times. Did I maybe just get a bad one? From what I have read these are supposed to be awesome routers. Unfortunately I do not have the option of running Ethernet to another location and hard wiring the other router. Besides I do not think that will help all that much in this case because the distance does not appear to be the issue. I get spotty connectivity when i am only a short distance away. I have looked into other vendors but would prefer not to have to ditch these as i put some good money into them. If that is the best way then what would be a good one(s) to get. Ubiquiti is appealing..Thoughts?

Just get a good 11n router. Under $100. The heck with ac.