Pi 5. Pi OS latest release with all updates. I set up the Pi 5 WiFi as an access point and test with my notebook. 56% reception strength at 15 meters through a wall. problem is I need 20 ~ 30 m through three walls. At that range, the Pi 5 drops out or is very slow.
Then I plugged in a fancy higher powered USB WiFi with 100mm antenna. Only 55% signal strength when compared to the Pi 5.![:o]( "Surprised")
I found adaptors with longer "5 DBi" antenna but I do not know how that compares to a Pi 5. Most do not mention the chip so Linux compatibility might not exist. Review articles focus on speed, not range. They sound like they have their WiFi connection across a desk, not a house.
The end result will be a router replacement for a purely local network with no internet connection. The Pi 5 will run some services that are a bit heavy for a Pi 4. System storage will be PCIe 3 NVMe. I do not want to lose the speed through repeaters.
Then I plugged in a fancy higher powered USB WiFi with 100mm antenna. Only 55% signal strength when compared to the Pi 5.
I found adaptors with longer "5 DBi" antenna but I do not know how that compares to a Pi 5. Most do not mention the chip so Linux compatibility might not exist. Review articles focus on speed, not range. They sound like they have their WiFi connection across a desk, not a house.
The end result will be a router replacement for a purely local network with no internet connection. The Pi 5 will run some services that are a bit heavy for a Pi 4. System storage will be PCIe 3 NVMe. I do not want to lose the speed through repeaters.
Statistics: Posted by peterlite — Sun Nov 23, 2025 11:15 pm