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Forum Discussion
crvance003
Nov 23, 2024Aspirant
Can RBS50y satellites mesh with each other?
I have a couple of RBS50yv2 outdoor satellites and am trying to use them to provide network coverage from my house down to the bottom of my driveway (around 400 feet). I've configured each to connect...
- Nov 23, 2024
The RBS50y outdoor satellites cannot mesh directly with each other; they only connect back to the router (RBR50) or indoor satellites (RBS50) in your Orbi system. This limits their effectiveness if placed at intervals along the driveway, as they rely on connecting to the closest device in the network rather than forming a chain. To extend coverage to the bottom of your driveway, try placing one RBS50y where it can receive a strong signal from the router or an indoor satellite, and position the second within the first's range to maintain connectivity. If possible, use Ethernet backhaul to connect the satellites directly to the router or other satellites for better range and stability. Alternatively, consider using directional antennas, third-party extenders, or a dedicated outdoor Wi-Fi system like a point-to-point bridge (e.g., Ubiquiti NanoStations) to cover the 400-foot distance more effectively.
crvance003
Nov 24, 2024Aspirant
Thanks for the reply. I want to put a security camera at the bottom of the driveway, and I was hoping to be able to tie its feed into my home network.Orbi makes it all so easy within the house; I was hoping it could be similarly easy outside. And yes, I considered a run of ethernet cable, but you're right about the work and cost of installing it in a way that reasonably protects it. Plus, given the way my driveway is situation by the house, I'd have to get someone to tunnel under it to feed the line into the house. Talk about expensive!
crvance003
Nov 24, 2024Aspirant
Thank you for the reply, even though you come bearing bad news. I'm still committed to seeing if I can get a good internet signal at the bottom of the driveway, and I've got the infrastructure in place that was planned for the RBS50y satellites (i.e., an electrical line that I can plug into). Perhaps I can use one or more regular RBS50 units in weatherproof boxes?
- CrimpOnNov 24, 2024Guru - Experienced User
It may be really difficult to get a regular satellite to sync over a distance of 400 ft. Since they are so portable, it will take less than an hour to haul one down there and find out. Please report what you find out.
- crvance003Nov 24, 2024AspirantSpoilerNo problem -- will do. I'll tell you what did not work, and that's setting up three RBS50y units: one at the top of the driveway, one in the middle, and one at the bottom. (And yes, for the money I spent buying those off eBay, I could have purchased all the ethernet cable and conduit needed for the task, but - dammit! - it was the principle of the matter!) The unit at the top of the driveway always had a signal, the one in the middle usually did, and the one at the bottom occasionally did. As I mentioned in the original question, from the router's control page (192.168.1.1) I could see them connected to indoor satellites, rather than to each other. I hoped against hope that they were indeed meshing with each other but just in a "silent" manner. Now, well, older, wiser, and moving on to Plan B.