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BoDEAN's avatar
BoDEAN
Apprentice
Dec 02, 2016
Solved

R7800 and DFS Channels usage

Just installed a Netgear R7800. Seems like the most recent FW supports DFS channels. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of using these channels, say over 48, 149, or 161? I live downtown Chicago, so t...
DFS
HT160
R7800
Troubleshooting
  • TheEther's avatar
    TheEther
    Dec 02, 2016

    DFS is designed to allow Wi-Fi to coexist with radar systems.  Radar systems take priority so I would think to avoid using DFS channels unless there is no other choice or there are no radars around.

     

    HT160 uses a lot of spectrum and will likely not be robust against interference.  Unless you have a HT160 client (I don't think any exist; Apple very unlikely), there's no reason to use it.

     

TheEther's avatar
TheEther
Guru
Dec 02, 2016

DFS is designed to allow Wi-Fi to coexist with radar systems.  Radar systems take priority so I would think to avoid using DFS channels unless there is no other choice or there are no radars around.

 

HT160 uses a lot of spectrum and will likely not be robust against interference.  Unless you have a HT160 client (I don't think any exist; Apple very unlikely), there's no reason to use it.

 

  • BoDEAN's avatar
    BoDEAN
    Apprentice
    Dec 02, 2016

    Why would netgear openup the DFS channels in the US then

    • TheEther's avatar
      TheEther
      Guru
      Dec 02, 2016

      Why wouldn't they?  It's sanctioned by the FCC (reference).  DFS channels may not be preferred but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be used.  The airwaves are congested, so opening up spectrum for Wi-Fi is a good thing.