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Forum Discussion
Relative position of the Orbi satellites
Just wanted to see if it has made any difference in your WiFi signal throughout your home/office when you have adjust the position of the Orbi router or satellites? Not sure if turning the units 90˚ or other angle or moving them away from a wall (or not having them against a wall) have made any difference in the signal.
BTW we are not having any issues with our system and actually love it.
Before I mess around with the units, I just wanted to find out if is basically unnecessary to reposition them in their same space or if they are omnidirectional and can broadcast the WiFi signal all around from where they are located.
Thank you.
7 Replies
Distance is more important.
30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
As Furry38 said, distance between the router and satellites is the most critical parameter. Supposedly the ORBI radiates WiFi signals omnidirectionally ( I cannot verifiy this as I do not own proper test equipment) but that is only in a pristene, open environment. Walls, windows and objects will reflect and absorb those signals based on the materials they're made of. Turning the ORBI 90º (or any angle) should not matter to its signal radiation.
Any metallic object or construction materials will degrade the signal tremendously. Metal window frames and bug screens will practically stop the 5 gHz signal. Even though the 2.4 gHz signal is best through walls and for longer distances, metal objects will cause reflectons and interfere with the signal strength.
The bottom line is: the best placement of your router and satellite(s) is a trial and error event. Any changes to the environment after deciding where to put them, e.g., moving furniture, may cause unwanted consequences to your WiFi signal strength.
Thank you for those replies. I actually had no idea that metal was such a barrier to the signal, particularly metal window frames and bug screens.
Windows screens would only effect signal if they were also metal mesh. Most newer, current or average home windows screens are of a plastic threaded kind of screen mesh. These shouldn't effect signal. Concrete and metalict building materials will. Especially for 5Ghz.
