Yes, the 2.4GHz radio is not going to count for the purposes of the desired throughput.

If the extender only has one 5GHz radio then the speed is inherently worse than 50% due to spending at most half the airtime talking to the upstream router and half to the downstream client.

Taking the extender out, if you want more range on 5GHz you need to reduce the bandwidth of the radio to improve signal density.
Range or throughput (pick one).
Try 40MHz by default or 80MHz.

Far too many consumer devices default to 160MHz channel widths for my liking and 320MHz is just silly given the UK channel lists unless all of 6GHz gets opened up.

Currently OFCOM are consulting on policy for 6GHz for sharing with mobile operators and there have been a few notable submissions representing the case for Wi-Fi (as well as from Jodrell Bank for how not to mess up their radio astronomy).

In reply to a post by Taras:

Ahh i didn't realise that had been shut down. I have noticed a decline in new products.

The website has gone, so you have to read from the archive.org copy:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170107003919/http://ww...

Since nothing has appeared since that event in 2016, my assumption is that Homeplug as a concept was overtaken by WiFi.

There are some APs with three radios: one 5GHz for backhaul/mesh, plus 5GHz and 2.4GHz for clients.

However, you'll be better off anyway with wired connections to your APs, as has already been said.

Since AP coverage will overlap, make sure your APs are on non-overlapping channels (which in the 2.4GHz band means only using channels 1, 6 and 11)

There's a nice overview here, including the "honeycomb" pattern you can use as a starting point when covering large areas:
https://www.metageek.com/training/resources/design-d...

wackypedia(wikipedia) is suggesting that it is defunct as of 2022. Regardless of the date, homeplug is dead.

I see Metageek refers to using 4 channels in some parts of the world which makes it much easier wit an irregularr cell size and pattern. However, I am now seeing more and more UK WAPs with just 1, 6 & 11 as fixed channels

I once hada colleague who was an antenna propogation specialist who continued to do some worrk for his previous division on GSM sites. He would have a map on his desk and used 5p, 10p and 50p pieces to make his primary estimates of locations and power levels.

Edited by MHC (Tue 30-Jul-24 10:05:51)

In reply to a post by candlerb:

There are some APs with three radios: one 5GHz for backhaul/mesh, plus 5GHz and 2.4GHz for clients. However, you'll be better off anyway with wired connections to your APs, as has already been said.

Always better with separate radios, and if you have the ability to run cable then that always wins; but domestically not always an option.

There's a nice overview here, including the "honeycomb" pattern you can use as a starting point when covering large areas: https://www.metageek.com/training/resources/design-d...

Some higher end vendors have some good planning tools too. I saw some of the serious enterprise WiFi tools from Cisco from a customer years ago, but its not affordable for home users (many tens of thousands).

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by candlerb:

There are some APs with three radios: one 5GHz for backhaul/mesh, plus 5GHz and 2.4GHz for clients. However, you'll be better off anyway with wired connections to your APs, as has already been said.

Always better with separate radios, and if you have the ability to run cable then that always wins; but domestically not always an option.

my fibre run is currently delayed due to the heat, as i will be wearing a mask to lay the conduit because i will be kneel moving over loft insulation which is 30+ years old ... the awful powerline bridge can stay in situ for a bit longer.