# What do I need to setup a dual-band wifi range extender?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-setup-a-dual-band-wifi-range-extender/674057>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 16, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-setup-a-dual-band-wifi-range-extender/674057 "2013-11-16T14:20:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-setup-a-dual-band-wifi-range-extender/674057/1 "2013-11-16T14:20:15Z")

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Before anyone starts about the disadvantages of using a range extender I already know. I tried powerline adapters and they were a complete bust. My only option to get WiFi/network access to my living room is via a range extender. My WiFi signal in that room is pretty weak so need to boost it.

I have an AirPort Extreme Base Station that is a couple years old which broadcasts my WiFi signal.

As I understand it range extenders halve your throughput on the WiFi signal. To avoid this you can use a dual-band extender. Essentially it will talk with the base station on a 5Ghz channel and talk to your devices on a 2.4Ghz channel thus keeping throughput at full throttle.

Question is what devices will do that? I see Airport Express devices support both channels but cannot find a way to configure them to do this. Other devices suggest they do but again finding little in the way of how to configure it.

I would prefer an Airport Express as a range extender if possible but I’ll go with whatever works.

Any help appreciated!

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**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-setup-a-dual-band-wifi-range-extender/674057/2 "2013-11-16T15:31:29Z")

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> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> Any help appreciated!

I know nothing about range extenders, but have you tried moving your Base Station around, to see if you can get better reception with it in a different place? Lot’s of things in walls, like wires, pipes, heating ducts, can partially block WiFi signals. You might not think of a mirror as a problem, but it’s a big impenetrable sheet of metal as far as WiFi is concerned. We have a mirror in the half-bath between our wireless router and family room, which casts a “shadow”, making reception spotty if the router is in the wrong place.