Why such a shocking range from TD-W9980 router

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Why such a shocking range from TD-W9980 router

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Why such a shocking range from TD-W9980 router
Why such a shocking range from TD-W9980 router
2015-10-05 21:36:16
Model :

Hardware Version : Not Clear

Firmware Version :

ISP :

Hi there,

I purchased this router to replace the FTTC router supplied by Talktalk.
I have a number of complaints in with TT due to the reliability of the Huawei HG633 unit they supplied.
Basically while LAN connected surfing was fine, and the speed and range of the 2.4MH and 5Mh channels was fine, but the wifi would disconnect/reconnect through out the day on multiple devices rendering it useless (if you check their forums you will see that loads of people have this issue).
Hence I bought the TD--9980
My new TD-9980 is positioned high up, near (but not right in) , the corner of my lounge. All routers I have owned over the years have worked just fine there.

The range on this unit is shockingly bad. While the Huawei (and prev routers) could reach all corners of my 2 floor, 4 bed house with decent enough signal, the TD-9980 struggles to cope. Signal strength drops rapidly as you move from the unit - on both freq bands.
While I know 5MHz gets attenuated much sooner then the 2.4MHz channels, I was not expecting the lack of range on the 2.4MHz channel;s.
What I was also not expecting, until I dug further, was that the 2.4MHz aerials are internal - its only the 5Mhz bands that use those chunky external aerials.

I have tried locking down the 2.4Mhz channels to the obvious 1, 6 or 11 settings and restricting the channel width to 20Mhz, even moving the unit a little. No real joy. Got to be said, the cheap and nasty Huawei router out significantly preforms the TP_Link unit for wifi range and associated speed.

Before you ask - its not near any external sources of interferences (wifeless phones, microwaves etc etc)

What am I missing here? Do I have a duff unit?

Cheers
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