WAC104 AC1200 Wireless Access Point Wi-fi range

Dear Tony,

 

Well, almost all decent wireless radios with stock antennas are working near to the regulatory allowed TX power. Things can be different on the wireless client side (mobiles, IoT, ....) - less power, barely optimal antennas. Further on, with more distance, the link rates possible are becoming less and less. If we (keep in mind you talk to Netgear customers here) tell you it will make say 100 meters on 2.4 GHz, and about 35 meters on 5 GHz, in free space, and without any interference or other users (visible or invisible) on the free 2.4 GHz reps. the 5 GHz as a rule of thumb, does this help?

 

If we do, we will hear that some customers can't make these ranges, others will report they see much higher ranges. And then again we will hear that the performance is much lower than what the marketing numbers make you believe - what's of course absolutely normal.

 

Last but not least, the mounting position of the AP is essential - in a country furniture on the lowest bord vs. some 2..5 meters above ground in free air makes the real differences.

 

And no, the different models reach don't differ that much for the reasons mentioned. If vendors are mentioning it, these are either high-power models (not legal in most regulatory areas), or specialized units with directional antennas for point-to-point or small area coverage only.

 

Regards,

-Kurt