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Forum Discussion

alanbc's avatar
alanbc
Star
Feb 20, 2023

RBR50 satellite options

Short Version:

 

1. What satellites can be used with an RBR/RBS 50 system?

 

2. In a multi-satellite system, does every satellite need to "see" the main device?  Or can a satellite connect to another satellite, passing signals along to the "main" device bucket brigade style?

 

Longer version:

 

My WiFi setup at home used to be an Asus WiFi router with a TP-Link Range Extender.  This was always problematic, the TP-Link requiring power cycles every week or two.

 

So I just bought myself a Netgear RBR/RBS50 setup.

 

I have the RBR50 in the basement, connected to my internet modem.  I have an RBS50 upstairs, 2 floors up basically.  Phones, cameras, tablets and smarthome devices connect to both; all seems well.

 

Sadly, there is also my wife's fitness studio (aka, "shed") to deal with, which is about 150 feet away.  It's on the top of a hill, at almost exactly the same elevation as the RBS50.  Indeed, you can see the RBS50 in the upstairs window from the shed.

 

Unfortunately, the Netgear WiFi signal does not get there, which is a problem as her personal trainer (don't get me started) sees her via a Zoom meeting.

 

Temporarily, I have the TP-Link back in service, located about half ways between the house and the studio, and so there is now WiFi at the studio.  But given the previous problems with the TP-Link, I want another solution.

 

So here's the same questions as above, and a few more besides.

 

1. What satellites can be used with an RBR/RBS 50 system?

 

2. Given my situation, is there a "preferred" satellite to use?

 

3. The basement, where the RBR50 is located, is truly underground, and the ground is granite.  Any device to service the studio will itself have to be serviced by a satellite; no way a WiFi signal from the RBR50 is going to "escape" the basement.  So, can a satellite connect to another satellite, passing signals along "bucket brigade" style?  Or must the RBR50 communicate with all satellites?  Put another way, does daisy-chain work, or is a star the only topology?

 

 

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

4 Replies

    • alanbc's avatar
      alanbc
      Star
      Feb 25, 2023

      Thanks for this.  I DID do a search but didn't come up with this document ...

  • KevinLiT's avatar
    KevinLiT
    NETGEAR Moderator
    Feb 20, 2023

    Hello alanbc,

     

    Welcome to the NETGEAR Community!

     

    The satellites can be daisy-chained within the network connecting to the closet satellite instead of the router.  The signal distance for your RBK system is 7500 sq ft.  This means that under poor signal conditions, you have a radius range of about 175 feet. However, if the signal is traveling through metals then it could cause the signal to be depleted making the network unusable. In some cases when the signal is in the network range there is reduced network quality because the material of the other building effectively makes it a faraday cage.  One way to test this is to open the window in the shed and verify the network performance over a period of time. 

     

    Please visit the link below for more information about daisy chaining on your Orbi Mesh System:

    Where should I place my Orbi satellite? | Answer | NETGEAR Support

     

    Best,

    Kevin

    Community Team

    • alanbc's avatar
      alanbc
      Star
      Feb 25, 2023

      Thanks for the reply.

       

      I actually took the time to measure the distance to the shed.  It's just over 300 feet!  I have no idea how I got the distance I originally quoted.

       

      That distance changes the calculations a bit.

       

      I have "temporarily" installed a powerline ethernet with Wifi adaptor I had in a drawer and it seems to be working.  I rather suspect that "temporary" will turn out to be permanent.  Weatherproofing this device was easy; it fits inside the existing weatherproof AC receptacle box.  Weatherproofing a new Wifi repeater and getting it, and power, to the top of a pole ...

       

      Now, the powerline ethernet was in a drawer for a reason; it was a bit flakey in the original location.  But so far so good, as evidenced by the fact I'm still alive to post here.

       

      Fingers crossed this holds up.

       

      Thanks again.