Router optimal for home automation for wheelchair user.

[TremulousTetra]

Okay, I'm paralysed from the neck down, and so an automated bungalow has been very beneficial for me. But, I've been having a problem of not enough coverage, in the bungalow, for all my home automation stuff.

Checking the Wi-Fi out in my bungalow using my mobile phone, I find that the signal from my TalkTalk router varies. Just walking 3 paces inside my bedroom door, which is only 7 paces away (as the bird flies) from the router, the signal drops out. This is because there is a radiator and several walls between me and the router. And so when I put the router on the dining table away from the radiator, and even though there is still several walls the signal seems slightly better, and I can get to 14 paces maybe 20 from the router. JUST.

The front of the bungalow is probably about 40 paces away from the router. I still get signal there because impeding the Wi-Fi from 40 paces away at the front of the bungalow is only ONE wall. So it's not just about how far the signal can travel, but how many things it has to travel through.

During this testing of the Wi-Fi with my mobilephone, I have noticed that when walk round the bungalow and plot the quality of Wi-Fi service, I find there is a Zyxle modem, with the best strength wherever I go. I'm presuming this Zyxle modem is from next door on my left hand side, so that has to be some pretty hot modem.

As I just have this basic TalkTalk router, it would seem that the Zyxle modem would be a better option for me. Can people suggest a modem that might help me please?

PS. I tried a £149 Deco mesh system yesterday, but it wouldn't connect to any of my Sonoff devices. Plus, I cannot say I was impressed with the signal. With the mesh system, I still was only able to place them 12 paces apart from the initial router into my bedroom. (I hadn't experimented with the radiator though.)


Any advice appreciated, Tremulous Tetra.

 

[hash tag]

My initial thought is have you long to go with your Talk Talk contract? Not the best providers under the sun.

 

[TremulousTetra]

My initial thought is have you long to go with your Talk Talk contract? Not the best providers under the sun.

To be honest with you I have been with TalkTalk about 20 years. When you get a problem you have to persevere, but they always get there in the end.

The router TalkTalk provided was working with a Wi-Fi extender. It suddenly started dropping out about 4 month ago, after I had just got the new 'better' modem and a new contract. TalkTalk HAVE renewed the line, because there was a crackle on it, and the speed HAS gone up from about 30 to around 50. It's open reach who deal with that side of things anyway.

TalkTalk have now sent out ANOTHER new router now, BUT my powerline adapter in my room and the Wi-Fi are STILL dropping out every now and again. So not sure what suddenly starting happening, but replacing my line and my router should have sorted it. Can't imagine what they could do more.

Another reason I'm thinking about mesh systems or router, that will cover the whole house, is that my radiator controllers connection to the Wi-Fi wasn't happy because it was on 2 different systems, the router Wi-Fi, and the Wi-Fi extender Wi-Fi. So a whole house Wi-Fi solution seems a better option than extenders.


Any advice appreciated, Tremulous Tetra.