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Forum Discussion
mossfam
Oct 27, 2019Aspirant
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˚ ...
tucsontico
Oct 27, 2019Virtuoso
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.
mossfam
Oct 27, 2019Aspirant
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.
- FURRYe38Oct 27, 2019Guru - Experienced User
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.
- rt7085Apr 23, 2020Aspirant
I would like to place one in the living room and then one more one floor up right above it. Will the radiation pattern support that or does it have to place "in plane" so to speak?
- FURRYe38Apr 23, 2020Guru - Experienced User
Distance is key here rather then relative position:
30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router
rt7085 wrote:I would like to place one in the living room and then one more one floor up right above it. Will the radiation pattern support that or does it have to place "in plane" so to speak?