NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Orbi 960 Wifi Extender
Just learned we need a Wifi Extender for our new Orbi 960, AXE 11000, wifi 6E system to connect to an outside solar battery. Is there any alternative to a $600 extra satellite? Many thanks to all in advance.
15 Replies
No.
If you can find a RBS50Yv2 outdoor unit that has Extender mode FW loaded on it you could use this to connect out side.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡How far is this device from the nearest RBR or RBS in the home?
Just read this about the outdoor extender:
- Not compatible with Orbi Wifi 6 systems
Worried that it won't work with the 960??
Our home is about 3000 Sq Ft, the Router is on the second floor and the battery is outside right beneath it. There is a second-story overhang, so about 20 ft is my guess from the main Orbi router to the battery. Thank you, the add on satellites are just a little spendy now.
That should be well with in reach and coverage to this device for it to connect to the system.
How many RBS are you using?
Yes, they did, the battery's firmware won't update, they want to drill a hole in the wall and hardwire an extender to it, I was looking for less invasive options, but $600 is spendy.
lisakc wrote:
Just learned we need a Wifi Extender for our new Orbi 960, AXE 11000, wifi 6E system to connect to an outside solar battery. Is there any alternative to a $600 extra satellite? Many thanks to all in advance.
Absolutely. Since the solar battery is not mobile (remains fixed in one place), then any brand of WiFi extender from any company will do what you want. Set it up to create a different WiFi SSID than the primary network so that the solar panel will attempt to connect only to this unit.
I have a preference for the Netgear EX3700, which is available on Amazon for under $40.
The big concern is where/how the extender will be mounted. Extenders require electricity. (The EX3700 is designed to plug into a standard electrical outlet.) It could, for example, be placed indoors in a room close to the solar battery.
Outdoor mounting is more of a challenge. (search for "Outdoor WiFi Extender"). The TODAAIR unit $70 on Amazon is designed to mount outdoor and has a 12v power supply. (Low voltage can be run "through" walls, whereas line current wires cannot.)
The benefit of an actual satellite is that mobile devices can roam seamlessly between the various units.
