How to extend AirPort Extreme Wifi outdoors?

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How to extend AirPort Extreme Wifi outdoors?

Hello,

We use an AirPort Extreme for our in home Wifi. We can get signal about 50 feet away from the exterior of our brick house, but not reliably beyond that.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good way to extend that reach without running any wires through a wall? Yes, I can probably use one of our outdoor outlets to power something for this. And, I could possibly also set up something like an old Airport Express on our second floor inside a window. (FWIW, we currently use three Airport Expresses to channel audio to different in-ceiling and outdoor speakers; not sure how any extenders would play with that setup.)

Thanks,

Todd

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 16, 2023 9:02 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 16, 2023 9:27 AM in response to Frederick Wilson

Are the 3 AirPort Expresses that you have now set up to "Join a wireless network", or are they set up to "Extend a wireless network"?

If they are set up to extend, try locating one of the Express devices as close as possible to a window to send the signal outdoors.

If they are not set up to extend and you do have a spare Express to use, set it up to extend and locate it where it can send a signal outdoors.

The trick here is that the Express that you use to extend needs to also pick up a really strong signal from the AirPort Extreme. So, locate the Express as close to the Extreme as possible while also locating the Express near a window.

The ideal setup would have the extending Express located where it has line-of-sight to the AirPort Extreme while also sitting near the window.

You will be amazed at the strength of the signal outside if you decide to run an Ethernet cable from the AirPort Extreme to the Express located outside near a power outlet.

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How to extend AirPort Extreme Wifi outdoors?

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