[Elecraft] OT Powerline Wifi extenders

[Randy Farmer]

I've been using the TrendNet TPL-40x series of powerline wireless 
adapters for a number of years to get my radio computers (upstairs) on 
the home network and they work just fine. They're not extremely fast, 
but they're certainly fast enough to handle telnet spots, programmed 
file backups, and manual file transfers over the network. When there is 
activity on the powerline network, I can sometimes see a slight rise in 
the noise floor on some bands on my P3. Considering that the antennas 
are all very close to the house and that the SteppIR is something like 
12 feet directly above the station, this isn't too bad. I keep most of 
the routine activity off the powerline path by using a TPL-430 Access 
Point device at the end of the house farthest from the antennas and 
connecting the computers via a local Wi-Fi net it creates. The master 
internet connection  comes via the AP but intra-station things like the 
GHE control all run over the local Wi-Fi link. Works great for me.

73...
Randy, W8FN

On 10/20/2019 7:02 PM, a45wg wrote:
> Fellow Elecrafters,
> 						I am trying to extend the wifi based internet coverage in my property. Alas it has very thick concrete walls with lots of re-bar in them, which is good for the odd earthquake - but not so much for wifi.
> 						
> 	I am trying to avoid at all costs of drilling holes in the walls and using ethernet/Fibre/coax etc... With the effect that I havebeen looking at wifi range extending.
> 	
> 	I am familiar (and not that impressed with Wifi extenders) but I have been looking at Powerline Extenders - which looks like a clever solution - but one which sound like it should have a QRM-Health warning to all Hams written all over it.
> 	
> 	So does anyone use Powerline Wifi extenders ?
> 	If so - any issues ...
> 	Any models you would recommend (or suggest to avoid)
> 	
> If you would like to read more on this technology the following link should get you started ...
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HomePlug
>
> With this example from TP as to how they can be used
>
> https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/powerline/tl-pa9020-kit/
>
> Many thanks
>
>      Tim