Paging @vreihen , @Chris , and others:

When we bought our wireless system, I had Chris configure it for me. We have a router running the main admin network (secured) and then we have 2x little WAPS that generate an open network that is cabled into the router. Those were originally to allow the public access to live results. All are running DD-WRT.

After a season of that hell we are going to buy a freedompop unit strictly to upload results to RMlive, and let people use their own data connections to get live results. I'm planning on getting the Netgear 341U USB LTE Modem from freedompop and just plugging it into the laptop, not opening it up as a hotspot.

I would like to delete the open network entirely and repurpose the WAPS as range extenders for the main admin network. Any directions or tips will be appreciated.

How far do you need to go with your admin network? When you have only a few devices on a network, it can actually extend past the typical maximum range in open air.

How many devices do you have? And are they clustered around each other physically? If they are, you may be able to get away with only a directional antenna instead of running the two access point system.

Hi! Thanks for the reply.

We have a tent with the main laptop wired to the router in it. Most of the equipment in within 20' of that, so range isn't an issue. We also have a PoE switch wired to the router and a pair of 75'?... 100'? ethernet cables that connect the WAPs to the PoE switch.

Previously we had been running the ethernet as far as possible toward the grid in one direction and the paddock in the other, so drivers and spectators could use the WAPs to check results. As stated above we're doing away with that, but I still want to extend the admin wireless in both those directions so the tech inspectors and car queuers with tablets can stay in range.

The WAPs are currently configured to provide a separate unsecured network. I want to delete that configuration and reconfigure them as range extenders / relays for the existing closed admin network.

You can clear the old info from your routers using a pen or paperclip and holding down the hard reset button. Then you can go ahead and set it up as a repeater. Most mainstream routers have the functionality built in or you can use DD-WRT like you have in the past.

Follow one of these guides and you should be up in running in no time =)

http://lifehacker.com/how-to-extend-your-wi-fi-network-with-an-old-router-915783308

http://lifehacker.com/5563196/turn-your-old-router-into-a-range-boosting-wi-fi-repeater

Great, thank for the links!

@MarcGSR : Thanks for the links. I'm trying this, and while I haven't really screwed anything up, but I'm not sure I'm getting it right, either. Here's what I have (@Chris set it up):

ASUS wireless router with DD-WRT - this is my main admin wireless for my timing and scoring system. It's broadcasting a secured network and is shown as being in bridge mode.

(2) TRENDnet WAPs. These are connected to the main router via ethernet. They are set up to have an open, unsecured network to allow users to see our live timing. We're going a different route and the open network is no longer desired.

What I want to do:

Delete the open network and repurpose the WAPs as range extenders for the existing secured network.

I'm not all that up on terminology so I'm getting lost. I ran one of the WAPs through the TRENDnet setup wizard and it's working... BUT, it's showing as a separate wifi source. What I want is to have all 3 operate together under 1 network name.

Do I need to set the WAPs up as repeaters? I can do that through the admin page easily enough. It seems that I enable repeater mode and enter the MAC address of the main router. But is that how it should be configured if it's hardwired to the main router? Thanks.

Here's a link to a control panel emulator for the WAPs.

That control panel link is really helpful. Though to set them up as repeaters might be hard, specifically because ASUS and TRENDnet are different brands.

I haven't done this, but have you tried turning WDS on and then entering the MAC address of the root Access Point there? So that would be turning off repeating on the top. Also, try putting in the MAC address of both the Wired and Wireless interfaces, one at a time. When you enter the wireless MAC address, you could try removing the cable, It won't be required in that case, it will just be a little slower for remote clients that way. If there's only one or two remote clients, that should be fine.

@CullenShane : Thanks for the feedback. I just happened across that emulator online. Whether it's functioning or not I can't really tell from my bench, but the configurator let me set the WAPs up as repeaters just using the MAC address from the bottom of the ASUS router. It didn't complain.

It's been suggested to me that since they are hardwired to the main router, it may be as simple as naming all 3 wireless networks the same thing and using the same authentication. Do you know if this is true?

If you have $80, just buy a ubnt Nanostation M2 (2.4GHz). http://smile.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-NanoStation-2-4GHz-802-11n/dp/B004EFH6L8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460434205&sr=8-1&keywords=ubnt+m2
Put it on a pole as high as you can get it at your admin tent area, point it in the direction you need to reach, and it will reach 800ft plus.

@JasonPowell : Yes, I could do that, but A) I need to point 2 different directions (paddock and grid) and B) I already have this equipment that's only a year old. It does seem like I've got this set up correctly, though. Thanks for everybody's help.

Yeah, for us I just use a single ubnt M2 ... it covers easily the area around the admin area then I point it at the far end of our event area :-)

@Duke said:

It's been suggested to me that since they are hardwired to the main router, it may be as simple as naming all 3 wireless networks the same thing and using the same authentication. Do you know if this is true?

@Duke Yes, that should work fine. I would set all three of your devices Channels to be spread out. (ie. one on #1, one on #6 and one on #11).