Extending 5GHz instead of 2.4GHz...?

Question

Extending 5GHz instead of 2.4GHz...?

In my temporary living situation, I have a Time Capsul downstairs hooked up with ethernet.

Upstairs the signal does not reach the computer room. So in the upstairs room that is directly above the Time Capsul, I have an old Airport Express. But when I set it up to extend the TC network, it only shows the 2.4 GHz signal.
If I type in the 5GHz name, sometimes it can find it and extend it if I put the AE right next to the TC then move it back upstairs. The internet upstairs in the computer room is far superior when I extend the 5GHz signal.
Why does it not show up on the list of signals to extend on the AE? If I change any settings on either router, I have to move the AE back downstairs and set it up again and bring it back upstairs.

Posted on Jun 29, 2017 6:23 PM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

190,018 points

Jun 29, 2017 7:32 PM in response to マイケルサムラー

Apple removed a number of features from AirPort Utility for Mac about 5 years ago. They have never explained why they did this, but a guess would be that they wanted to make things simpler for more users.

As you know, Apple has not introduced a new wireless router in over 4 years, so it appears that they are no longer interested in this type of product. The most recent version of the AirPort Express was introduced 5 years ago.

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

190,018 points

Jun 29, 2017 7:07 PM in response to マイケルサムラー

5 GHz signals have the capability to handle higher signal speeds, but unfortunately 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals. In order to wirelessly extend 5 GHz, you really need to have line-of-sight between the "main" and "extending" AirPort. In other words, there should be no obstructions in the signal path between the AirPorts.

Unfortunately a ceiling will absorb a great deal of the wireless signal, so not much of the signal is going to make it through.

The AirPort Express is looking for the strongest signal.....not the fastest signal.....so that is why it is changing back to 2.4 GHz. The 2.4 GHz signals are much stronger than the 5 GHz signals.

Your performance would be much better if you could connect the AirPort Express back to the Time Capsule using a wired Ethernet cable connection. There is no signal speed loss through the Ethernet cable up to 300+ feet or about 100 meters, so the AirPort Express will get a full speed signal to extend......not a much slower wireless signal like it now receiving.

If you cannot run the Ethernet cable, then a pair of Ethernet over powerline adapters might be able to send the Ethernet signal over the AC powerlines in your home. The theory with these devices is that you already have the wiring in place....you just need the adapters.

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Answer 3

Jun 29, 2017 7:23 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Timmons,

I just got it to work again. I am showing about -70 dBm with 5GHz. The 2.4Ghz was around -50 or so. Compared to the 2.4GHz signal, ping goes from 15 to 6ms, and the DL goes from 8Mbps to 30Mbps when switching to 5GHz.

Unfortunately the Ethernet extension is not an option. Staying with my wife's parents and they are too old to have cables running across the floor. And it is only one more month.

Here is what still confuses me. When I use my wife's 2011 MacBook air Airport Utility, there are way less options then when I use Windows Airport Utility. I ended up dual booting her laptop into windows and setting it up with both routers next to each other.

The 5GHz still does not show from the options, but when I typed it in I got it to work. Time capsul does not seem to have many options either. Like, I can not switch off the 2.4Ghz signal and only use the 5Ghz. I know it is usually for the best, but in this case it made things tougher.

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Answer 4

Jun 29, 2017 9:22 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks for the incites Timmons. My Airport express is from 2006. If I had waited to buy the Time Capsul, I probably would not of got it either.
But at the time I had an iMac and wanted a new router. Luckily I held onto the old one to extend the wifi when I need to.

After buying a TC I just gave up with mac due to lack of ability to upgrade. Built a windows PC and luckily it still backs up to the TC.
Maybe someone will mod the TC so I can add a VPN someday.
Have a good one.

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