I can absolutely cause inferior service for low-power devices like laptops using a high-power wifi repeater or AP, both on purpose and just through casual usage.  I've tested it many times.  It's also true that this is mostly in places with poor coverage to start with.  When a device is getting marginal service, having a high-powered neighbor will definitely impact it.

  On 12/10/2019 at 7:43 AM, docj said:

And anyone using a "quality" wifi amplifier/booster will have a system that automatically adjusts its transmission power to adapt to any particular situation so that it reduces the chances that it will cause interference.

I have had the original Wifi Ranger, a Go and a Go2. Since they all had power settings, that did not include automatic, I don't think any of them automatically adjusted the transmission power. I have also used ubiquity products for years and none of them had/have an automatic power setting. I recently purchased a Wifi Ranger Spruce which since it does not have a power setting option, may automatically set the transmission power, but I don't recall reading anything about that in the information I have seen on it. Not everyone buys the latest and greatest every time a manufacturer upgrades their product line. So there is a lot of older equipment out there in use.

  On 12/10/2019 at 7:43 AM, docj said:

Furthemore, higher quality amplifier boosters these days usually use the 5 GHz band in addition to the 2.4 GHz band because that band offers a larger number of channels which reduces the chances for interference.

That only helps if you have devices that will receive 5 GHZ. Only our phones have that capability and since we have unlimited on device data there is rarely a need to connect to Wifi. I do tether the Mifi/cellphone and connect the computers and even the smart TV and Roku by ethernet to reduce the speed loss associated with Wifi hops. How much of that speed loss is a result of interference and packet loss  or just the result of loss by repeating the signal , I have no idea. I do know that it can be 50% or greater.

Edited December 10 by trailertraveler

  On 12/10/2019 at 7:46 AM, Carlos said:

I can absolutely cause inferior service for low-power devices like laptops using a high-power wifi repeater or AP, both on purpose and just through casual usage.  I've tested it many times.  It's also true that this is mostly in places with poor coverage to start with.

Quite often, the connection problem in parks and other similar locations is not having enough signal strength to "talk" to the Access Point (AP).  You may be able to see the AP's signal but you may not have enough power to "talk back to it."  Having a higher power device in your vicinity could possibly make it more difficult for you to connect, but, as you note, it's more likely to occur when the wifi system isn't very good in the first place.

  On 12/10/2019 at 8:13 AM, trailertraveler said:

I have had the original Wifi Ranger, a Go and a Go2. Since they all had power settings, that did not include automatic, I don't think any of them automatically adjusted the transmission power.

I misspoke.  Rangers will automatically select their channel but transmit power still has to be set by the user.  since Spruce uses the same software as other Rangers, I would be surprised if you didn't find power settings on the WiFi tab of the Ranger's control panel.  We encourage users to employ the lowest power that works in a particular situation.  Sorry for the confusion.

Edited December 10 by docj

  On 12/10/2019 at 8:13 AM, trailertraveler said:

That only helps if you have devices that will receive 5 GHZ.

Much of the hardware sold in the past few years conforms to IEEE standard 802.11ac which provides for transmission at 5GHz.  The standard was approved in 2013.  The previous standard 802.11n, which is ~17 years old, allowed for 5GHz operation, but didn't require it.

FWIW using 5GHz can be beneficial even if not all your devices support it.  For example, I connect my Jetpack to my WiFiRanger using the Jetpack's 5GHz transmission primarily because that frequency band is less crowded.  I let the Ranger transmit at both 5GHz and 2.4GHz so that all my devices can connect.  At the speeds I'm currently seeing on my cellular connections I see little reason to use an Ethernet connection.

Edited December 10 by docj