Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 18:47 Post subject: Asus RT-AC66U TX & RX Antenna Chain to all antennas?
With either the stock or dd-wrt firmware does this have the ability to assign Tx & Rx only modes to all three antennas? As in ; Auto/Tx only/Rx only.
Lastly, are there separate controls for each band?
The wireless function is secondary and I don't want to use the center antenna due to close clearance with the WAN/LAN ports. Also, the Router is mounted on a wall, except for the top antenna, the others can't be truly vertical.
Last edited by videobruce on Sat Jan 13, 2018 18:50; edited 2 times in total
You asked the same question about the archer c7. I don't understand what the problem with the antenna close proximity to the LAN port is?
You can't get your Ethernet cord plugged in because of the middle antenna? I don't quite understand it. _________________ I am far from a guru, I'm barely a novice.
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:34 Post subject:
Two different chipsets, I don't know if that would make a difference as to what options are available which is why I asked it for two completely different models in their respective sub-forums.
It can be connected, but it's overly crowded and IFAIC there isn't a need for that third antenna port, diversity or not which really is immaterial since it is a separate topic. Correct?
I still don’t understand what you mean by overcrowded? You want to physically remove the antenna because it gets in the way of your Ethernet cables? _________________ I am far from a guru, I'm barely a novice.
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 16:23 Post subject:
Not to use the jack assuming it has the ability like the TP-Link 3600 has to assign a Rx only to that jack and terminate it as you would with most unused RF ports that are or can be active.
You might consider using an RP-SMA extension cable to relocate the middle antenna. I've not seen options to toggle individual antennas on the '66.
If you're router shopping, the RT-AC56U has internal antennas and a much beefier CPU. _________________ [Broadcom] Asus rt-ac66u r35531 ('66 should only be factory reset through the DD UI)
Fix RT-AC66U "wl1 [2.4 GHz TurboQAM]". DD-WRT failsafe UI @ http|https://169.254.255.1/
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 14:37 Post subject:
It's not external antennas that is the issue (never was), it's the 3rd middle one. Removeanle, external antennas is one feature that sets this apart from probably 3/4 of the Routers out there. I wouldn't buy a Router that only had internal antennas.
I do have a remote antenna on a 3' cable that is being used.
I'm just surprised that Asus/dd-wrt doesn't have this option to control the mode of each antenna port when older, less sophisticated models do.
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 15:46 Post subject:
Ok, you got me there as the wireless function is secondary and I have not read up of these newer wireless features. As soon as I saw "Phased_array" in that link, nothing more needed to be said.
Do you know if the middle port is both Tx & RX or is it RX only? Also, how much control of these 'latest & greatest' functions does one have?
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 16:11 Post subject:
I have been reading all the posts (here) regarding TP-Link with their locked firmware from late 2015 (that I found out the hard way )
Thanks for all of that, it puts things in a different perspective. They come up with all of these 'improvements', then they use internal antennas just because 'Joe Six Pack' (or should I say 'Jill Six Pack') doesn't want to see external antennas.
And those are the EXACT same ones that whine about lousy coverage and/or slow wireless connections. All you have to do is look thru the one & two start reviews over at Amazon.
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 18:44 Post subject:
Ok for the top antenna when it's mounted on the wall, but surely not for the middle or bottom. Best they would be on a diagonal angle.
Since you brought all of that up, it seems that for many, those 'latest & greatest' features wouldn't be unless you have WAP's (or extenders) on each floor.
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: New York State
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 20:20 Post subject:
Facing up, problems with cables hanging down in front of the unit putting stress on the fittings.
Facing down, antennas are in parallel with cables hanging down with potential for interference. Also, where this is located the indicator lights would not be easily visible.
Of course you can try to come up with some make shift way of supporting the cables at right angles. If it was hidden, then maybe not a problem, but this isn't.
Or buy three, remote mount antennas with cables & the correct fittings. That's assuming the router has removable antennas in the first place which, depending on the quality, come close to the cost of the Router.
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