ex6170 extender

plemans,

Thr verizon router is the Gateway ASK-NCQ1338. 

Mike

If the Verizon home internet router has a WPS button, I would follow the directions on page 6 of the Installation Guide:

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/EX6170/EX6170_QSG_EN.pdf

miketram wrote:

I've followed all of the instructions and still not success

The instructions on pages 5 & 6 of the Quick Start Guide?

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/EX6170/EX6170_QSG_EN.pdf

So that gateway does use "son" for its own mesh setup. If you're not using it, try disabling SON in its settings. Then rerun setup on with the extender. 

I'd recommend using the installation assistant over WPS with that router. 

plemans,

I disabled the SON setting and I was able to connect the router to the extender and the extended signals for 2ghz and 5 ghz do work. However, the speeds for both extended bands are at about 20Mbs which is no different than my main router signal. My Verizon router is downstairs, and the space upstairs is not above where the router is located. Downstairs, I do get a very good signal of over 150Mbs.  I realize that I probably need a mesh system, but I'm not sure where I could locate the devices where a stronger signal will reach.  I've read about using extenders that use your electrical outlets to boost the signal, but reviews are mixed.

Thank you for your help, the SON setting seemed to do the trick.

The WiFi extender is supposed to be located between the primary WiFi system and the user devices. (perhaps approximately half way)

If the extender is too close to the primary WiFi, then the signal strength from the extender will be reduced too much.

If the extender is too close to the user devices, then the strength of the primary WiFi will be reduced too much before it reaches the extender.

Some experimentation on different locations might be a good idea.  Fortunately, WiFi extenders are easy to move around.

also to keep in mind is extenders drop the speeds that THEY receive by 50%. This happens because the signal goes router----->extender   and then extender---->device. And the extender can't send signals to both at once. So if the extender is getting a 40mbps speed from the router, it'll only be putting out 20mbps. 

You can try different locations. Like CrimpOn​ said, it should be be half way between the router and where you need the coverage. But that can be moved around a little and laterally, in case something in the walls is interfering with signals. 

Plemans, CrimpOn,

Thanks for your advice. I've moved it to several places but the results have been the same; a marked decline in speed.

Do either of you have any experience with a powerline adapter. The reviews are generally good, but who knows if it will really work. I guess I could try it and just return it if it doesn't work.

Thank you both for your help. It did help me successfully connect the extender.

Mike

I have used both MoCA and Powerline.  Both can work really well.... but both have "quirks".

Because my old house had coax running to almost every major living space, MoCA adapters were a fantastic and inexpensive way to connect devices around the house to the router.  Having the coax splitter and MoCA adapter next to the modem & router was annoying and I switched to Powerline.  (wish I had not "cleaned up" some of the coax, which makes going back to MoCA impractical.)

Powerline works great when everything is on one electrical circuit.  But, it is not as reliable as I had hoped.  Had four adapters, which required going through circuit breakers and finally "gave up" on the adapter in the garage. Every time the LED would turn red I'd have to crawl under/around furniture in four places to get the links back up.  Just recently, the third adapter went red.  I switched the Tivo over to WiFi.

Electrical circuits typically run through several rooms, so Powerline might be a great solution.  It is easy to test.