On Wed, 16 Sep 2020 22:18:11 -0500, Char Jackson
wrote:

On Wed, 16 Sep 2020 13:22:23 -0400, Pat wrote:

This is sort of off topic, but I know there are some very
knowledgeable people here. I live in a small condo association (20
units) and volunteer to manage our security cameras (15 IP Cameras).
Since my unit is near the center of the property and I was able to run
fiber to a utility building elsewhere on the property, most of the
cameras are hard wired using p.o.e. and work very reliably.

So far, so good.

However,
3 of the cameras must use 2.4 GHz wifi. My personal wifi easily
covers my unit and surrounding area, but barely covers the common area
where those 3 cameras are located. That area is roughly 180 feet from
my router, so the limited coverage is not a surprise. Quite a few
years ago, I purchased a TP-Link WA7210N access point. It is
connected to my router via ethernet and is aimed toward those 3
cameras. Adding that AP, made a huge improvement, but it is still not
as good as I want.

Regarding the 3 cameras that can only do 2.4GHz WiFi, perhaps they don't
need to connect to an AP that's all the way back at your building. Have you
considered allowing them to connect to AP(s) that are physically closer to
the camera? Since the other cameras are hard wired, you have an opportunity
to place AP(s) near any of those cameras and let the WiFi cameras connect
there.

snip

I believe there are three things causing my issues. 1) At 180 feet,
the signals are still fairly weak.

This exact concern is addressed above.

2) Being is a well populated area,
interference from other wifi networks are a likely problem (one of the
cameras can "see" over 50 SSIDs)

Also somewhat addressed above, if you can allow those 3 cameras to connect
to an AP that is physically closer.

and 3) being restricted to 2.4 GHz,
all my neighbors' microwave ovens are probably causing problems.

Shorter distance also helps with interference.

(My
own microwave wipes out those 3 cameras while running, so other
people's microwaves are likely to do the same). I have AC power
available near the cameras, but there is no protection from the
weather available for things like range extenders. I also have no way
to run new cables or fiber to that area without digging under long
runs of concrete driveway. I am hoping one of you might have an idea
I haven't thought of yet.

For your own sanity, please take range extenders off the table. They're
awful. You'll probably regret going down that road.

Hi Char,
You make a very good point regarding placing an AP closer to the
cameras. There are two condo units close enough to be helpful in that
regard. One is used as a "get away from it all' second home and the
owner does not have Internet. The other doesn't want anyone touching
their router because of all the news stories about hacking. Both of
those units are in separate buildings so I have no way to run ethernet
or fiber to them.

Regarding range extenders, I have actually had some good luck with one
at another location (a friend's house). However, I do not have a
convenience place to mount one that would help in my situation here.
If the "ethernet over power lines" experiment I am going to try
doesn't work out, I will reconsider a range extender/AP.