DFS channels for ORBI RBR20

[Retired_Member]

This KB seems to indicate that my RBR20 should support DFS channels in the FCC regulatory domain.

https://kb.netgear.com/000060378/Which-Dynamic-Frequency-Selection-channels-does-my-NETGEAR-device-s...

However, those channels are not available in the HTTP based admin drop-down.  Was support removed?  Is there a way to enable DFS support on this ORBI model?

Running firmware 2.7.3.22 with 1 satellite in router mode.

[plemans]

it uses them for the backhaul

[Retired_Member]

Interesting.  My Wi-Fi Analyzer app isn't showing them beaconing on the DFS channels so it must be using those frequencies with some protocol other than 802.11 a/n/ac...

Thanks for the reply

[plemans]

It could be your in a region that has active dfs broadcasts.

[CrimpOn]

The channels used are described on page 159 of the user manual:

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf 

US: 5.18 - 5.74 GHz (front haul) and 5.745 - 5.875 (backkhaul)

Europe & Japan: 5.18 - 5.24 and 5.5 - 5.7

Translated to channel numbers this is:

US: 36 - 48 and 149 - 175 (backhaul)

Europe & Japan: 36 - 48 and 100 - 140 (backhaul)

There is a note on page 159 about another frequency band becomming available with future firmware (whatever that means).

[Retired_Member]

Ah, it looks like they avoided the DFS channels for the US models.  From that reference:

5.18 GHz–5.24 GHz and 5.745 GHz–5.825 GHz (US) 

Neither of these two bands requre DFS in the US/FCC

I was looking for support in these bands:

(5250 - 5350 @ 80), (23), DFS, AUTO-BW

(5470 - 5730 @ 160), (23), DFS

These are channels 52-144.  The original kb.netgear document I referenced indicated that these DFS channels were supported

Orbi Router / Orbi Satellite (Models: RBR20, RBS20)

52,56,60,64,100,104,108,112,  116,120,124,128,132,136,140

54,62,102,110,118,126,134

58,106,122

42+58,42+106,42+122, 58+106,58+122,106+122

NA

,

Although I note that in user guide you referenced they are not.

[FURRYe38]

DFS channels are not available for user selecting on any Orbi system. Only channels 36 thru 48. ALL higher channels, usually 149 thru 165 are for the wireless backhaul channels used only by the orbi system.