RBK13 - Struggling To Get Consistency

Question

Hi all,&nbsp;I'm no stranger to Orbi, having used the RBK50 setup a few years back, but opting for a Nighthawk R9000 for overall features.&nbsp;Fast forward to now and&nbsp; our usage has changed and we've had an extension built, etc. Anyway, I grabbed a set of RBK13 (RBR10 and 2 satellites) for our home. We have a standard UK semo-detached house, with a&nbsp; converted garage off to the side and a conservatory on the back so increased sq ft slightly.&nbsp;Due to a number of reasons, the&nbsp; cable coming in is in our home office upstairs, so I have the Orbi router up there (1st floor), and the 2 satellites at the other ends of the ground floor. To give guidance, the home office is directly above the front door, all other rooms lead off to the side from the front, so 1 satellite is in the far corner of the living room, and the other is in the far corner of the conservatory. The distance between the two ground floor satellites is approximately 30 feet.&nbsp;Here's the issue. I've tried using just one satellite in the conservatory with the router upstairs, and whilst fine in general&nbsp; (250Mbps internet, I get 150+ when connected to the satellite) there does seem to be some inconsistency, and video calls drop out.&nbsp;I added the second satellite, and bang, great coverage in the living room, but the satellite in the conservatory now has "poor" connectivity with the Router. I turned off daisychaining to check, and no help.&nbsp;I don't seem to be able to fine the&nbsp; silver bullet here. I might be better off with&nbsp; my Nighthawk again.&nbsp;Any settings required, let me know and I'll provide.

FURRYe38 · Answer

What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router

Ceepeebee · Answer

Hi Furry&nbsp;In a direct line we're talking maybe 20 feet, but down a floor and through a few walls. Interestingly when I moved it further away though it lost more signal (reported as poor connection to the router on the web interface).&nbsp;Even more interestingly, the satellite that was given me "good" connection, started reporting as poor as soon as I added another satellite. I'm basically a floor up, with 2 satellites downstairs at opposite ends of the house.&nbsp;I honestly think my R9000 is a better fit for my needs, it just sucks that I can't make this work.

FURRYe38 · Answer

Possible the wireless signal on the 1 series isn't as strong as the 20 or 50 series systems.

You might go with the R9000 and if you need more signal coverage, add a EX 7700 or 8000 to the mix.

Ceepeebee · Answer

Unfortunately that doesn't really give me what I'm looking for.&nbsp;I wanted one SSID, and not flawless, but incredibly consistent , throughput. I'm not after a lot, but I do need consistency.&nbsp;I was thinking about moving away from Netgear entirely, but I only really have experience with Netgear products over the last 10+ years.&nbsp;So, I either a) persist with the RBK13 kit and try removing a satellite again and moving some things around, b) go back to choosing between bands on my R9000 and perhaps move that about if possible to give more coverage, or c) look for another set that'll do what I'm after&nbsp;Suggestions please?

FURRYe38 · Answer

I thought the R9000 supported Smart Connect? I just read that with v1.0.3.6 FW that Smart Connect as added...If it does, then you would have a single SSID name on that router. Adding a EX for more coverage would be similar to having Orbi MESH. Just wouldn't have a back haul radio is all.&nbsp;

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RBK13 - Struggling To Get Consistency

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