Finding a way to connect Wi-Fi to your roof deck
Finding a way to connect Wi-Fi to your roof deck
Hello everyone, here’s the main point. I’ve grown tired of using mobile data on my roof deck and need a better solution. I tried extending my Wi-Fi with an extender, but the signal wasn’t strong enough. Inside the building, I get about 230 Mbps, while in the corridor between my flat and the deck it’s still around 100 Mbps. The outer walls seem to block most of the connection—early on I can reach up to 16 Mbps, but it drops suddenly to under 1 Mbps. I didn’t go further out, but I think there’s no signal at all. A repeater won’t fix this. I explored directional setups, but they seem too complex. An access point like the one shown in that video might work better. Now I’m wondering which one would suit my situation. Since the video is over six years old and newer tech exists, I’d appreciate recommendations. I also need to know how strong the signal should be and what hardware fits in my flat—no repeater allowed in the corridor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Commercial routers can work past locked barriers but may affect nearby devices and could need approval. A simple DIY fix would be using a long CAT 6 Ethernet cable and another router or access point nearer to the area. If drilling isn’t possible, flat Ethernet cables might slip under gaps under doors. I’ve used a 10-meter cable from downstairs up to the first floor because the building blocks the signal so badly that connections drop halfway up stairs. Your challenge is the elevator built into concrete walls and floors. If you prefer not to run cables, consider a power inverter with a built-in access point.
I noticed a conversation a while ago about something similar, mentioning an outdoor AP that could transmit over long distances. The issue was that the Wi-Fi clients weren’t strong enough to send back signals. Maybe a more affordable solution is a directional antenna on your router. I didn’t mention the exact model, but I have a Linksys WR-5200ACM and can get reliable Wi-Fi up to about 100 yards. I’m considering pairing a directional and an omnidirectional antenna if you’re interested. All this, though, is uncertain—whether you’ll be able to send signals back to the router remains unclear. If possible, placing a router on the deck with a directional antenna on both devices pointed toward each other could work well as an alternative.
Sorry to hear about the power situation. It seems there aren’t any outlets available in your flat or on the property. Since outdoor options are out of the question and running cables isn’t feasible, you might want to discuss this with your landlord. As for Wi-Fi, commercial-grade routers could be a good alternative—do you know any specific brands you’d consider?
You might verify that the optimal setup is placing an AP on an overhang or similar location, using a cable linked to the router. Powering it via PoE eliminates the need for a wall outlet. Are you sure all 5 GHz channels are available? Have you thought about broadcasting a 2.4G SSID to improve coverage in that space because it penetrates walls better?
It seems the landlord is quite disappointed. In the UK, it's common to have a socket in the hallway for a vacuum cleaner. However, some people suggest using PoE devices that can be plugged into the router and connected via a long Ethernet cable if possible. If running cables isn't feasible and there are no convenient outlets nearby, finding a workaround might not be realistic.