EAP 330 very poor coverage - help

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EAP 330 very poor coverage - help

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EAP 330 very poor coverage - help
EAP 330 very poor coverage - help
2017-11-17 15:34:43
Model :

Hardware Version :

Firmware Version :

ISP :

Hello,
I just purchased an EAP330, I was expecting a far better coverage, but it's at least 30% less than a $15 Tenda router with 3 antennas.
I checked the menu but it seems to be at 100% of transmission power.
Any advice on how I should install it? Perhaps ceiling only? Far from walls? I tried horizontal and vertical position (it sits EXACTLY where the old Tenda router was) but maybe it performs better if installed differently.
I read about the installation "upside down" if installed on a vertical wall (why does TP LINK designed it this way? It looks horrible with the TP LINK logo upside down!!) but maybe I should try an installation in the middle of a hallway on the ceiling?
Still, some of the areas previously reached by the $15 Tenda router are blind spots now...
Any advice?
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Re:EAP 330 very poor coverage - help
2017-11-20 15:09:57

cmarino wrote

Hello,I just purchased an EAP330, I was expecting a far better coverage, but it's at least 30% less than a $15 Tenda router with 3 antennas.

How did you test it? Is it on 2.4GHz or 5GHz? What's the model number of Tenda router?

Any advice on how I should install it? Perhaps ceiling only? Far from walls? I tried horizontal and vertical position (it sits EXACTLY where the old Tenda router was) but maybe it performs better if installed differently.

I think the installation position would be one possible cause. The recommended coverage of EAP330 is 12-15 meters. When mounting ceiling APs, choose the central part of the celling with no obstacles. Access Point should face down and be well mounted with the installation base and should not be put inside the ceiling.There should be no obstacles between the Access Point and target coverage area
I read about the installation "upside down" if installed on a vertical wall (why does TP LINK designed it this way? It looks horrible with the TP LINK logo upside down!!) but maybe I should try an installation in the middle of a hallway on the ceiling?

This post may answer your question. http://forum.tp-link.com/showthread.php?97036-EAP-wall-mount-why-is-it-recommended-to-install-with-ethernet-port-downward
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Re:EAP 330 very poor coverage - help
2017-11-21 09:23:12

Carat1 wrote

How did you test it?

Noticed poor coverage, so I used several Android apps to see specific wireless level on every map spot.
Simply, even without software, there was no signal or very poor signal in places where there was a much stronger signal before.


Is it on 2.4GHz or 5GHz?

The Tenda router is a 2.4Ghz 300N router.
All these tests performed on the EAP330 were done on 2.4G, on 5G the EAP330 signal was EVEN WEAKER I couldn't even test. Basically, one room and beyond.
If you are in the same room or nearby... the signal is perfect and the data rate is incredible compared to a 300N router.
If you leave the room....bye :D

What's the model number of Tenda router?

Tenda Router F3
http://www.tendacn.com/en/product/F3.html
and I havent compared to the Tenda router only. After posting the original message, I even tried an old TP-LINK TL-MR3420 I had sitting in a drawer since 2012.
Even this old router with 2 tiny antennas has a WAY stronger signal than the EAP330, almost as strong as the Tenda F3.


I think the installation position would be one possible cause. The recommended coverage of EAP330 is 12-15 meters. When mounting ceiling APs, choose the central part of the celling with no obstacles. Access Point should face down and be well mounted with the installation base and should not be put inside the ceiling.There should be no obstacles between the Access Point and target coverage area

I tried every possible position.
Middle of the ceiling.
Ceiling near a wall
Wall mount upwards
Wall mount downwards
It pretty much sucked in any configuration...!!!
There must be something at firmware level. It's simpy impossible an AP on that price range performs THAT bad.
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Re:EAP 330 very poor coverage - help
2017-11-22 16:13:24
this is a ceiling-mount design model, it is not quite suitable for desktop position, nor passing through walls...
(if you expect it is good at passing through walls, no, it is not, probably not stronger than your Tender router with external antenna due to the physical design.)

As you are in Italy, I think it is EU version and has only 20dbm EIRP as required by CE.

If you still want a try. The last suggestion is contact with their global support and ask for a intermediate firmware which allow you to transfer it into US firmware which has about 26 dBm Tx power.

But be note that the 5GHz channel range available in US is different from in Italy, so after transition you may need to manually set a static 5GHz channel in range of ch36~48 to ensure your smartphone can see the 5GHz SSID.
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