SkyQ router in enclosed cabinet - likely any issue?

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Per my thread in the Hifi forum we will be getting some alcove units built soon. Something like these;

aTFHBpj.jpg


It just occurred to me that my SkyQ router is currently on the floor there where the right cabinet will be. Am I likely to see any wifi issues with it going in the unit? I have the SkyQ booster thingy upstairs as well.

We ran ethernet through the house when our renovations started, so essential devices like my PC and work laptops, Sky Q mini can be wired in. Obviously all the gubbins behind the telly will be wired too. Wifi is only really for phones and Google Homes, Hive hub, a couple of smart bulbs...

Thanks,
Rob.
 
One router will be fine. If you're going to load those cabinets up with gear then it might be worth having a vent cut into the top back of each cabinet, finished off with a cover such as

Classic Brass Vent Covers | deVOL Kitchens

www.devolkitchens.co.uk www.devolkitchens.co.uk

Cut a rebate into the top surface so the grille sits flush.
 
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Caged said:
One router will be fine. If you're going to load those cabinets up with gear then it might be worth having a vent cut into the top back of each cabinet, finished off with a cover such as
Click to expand...
Sorry, to be clear I’m asking if the router (Wi-Fi) will work ok. I’m not too fussed about heat as I won’t be putting my AV receiver in there anymore. But we will have some sort of gap/hole for cables to the telly anyway.
 
Is the question if you encase your router into a box of wood, will you see any difference in Wi-Fi signal?

If so then the answer I believe is yes, yes you will see a difference :D

Depends on the size of the house, wall structure etc and many other variables if it'll diminish the signal enough to cause you issues. My guess is yes it probably will at further ends of your home.
 
Sparx said:
My guess is yes it probably will at further ends of your home.
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When we had the loft converted we realised it didn't reach up there anyway (in the same spot but not enclosed). Hence I got the booster from Sky which sits on the first floor in the study (at the back of the house). This gives decent signal both up to the loft bedroom and into the garden too. This booster will be wired in when our work is done, too.
Caged said:
It's wood, it will more than likely be fine, especially if the centre panels in the doors are only a few mm thick.
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Thanks. Yes I believe it will just be fancy MDF :p
 
There are three issues here.

The first is the signal attenuation from passing through the wood/MDF OUT and that is likely to be significant but not catastrophic because the amplification of the signal is logarithmic 23dBm - 3dBm is still 23dBM so you won’t notice that in terms of signal strength.

On the other hand, signals coming from outside will not be the full 23dBm so if it comes back at 3dBm then you will get zero signal on the other side of the cabinet. That could be an issue. You will likely see a drop in coverage because of an inability of weaker clients to send a signal that will sensibly penetrate the MDF.

And you might well notice an issue with interference when all those signals start to bounce around inside a very small box. It’s the same as if you had another WiFi system sitting right next to your router and your router has to figure out which signals are reflections and which signals are responses from clients. You may see an issue with system responsiveness.

It’s just not a great idea. Is there no other way you can do this?
 
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I'm assuming you're going to end up having stuff on top of the cabinets as well? If so that'll kill the signal off a bit more again.
 
WJA96 said:
It’s just not a great idea. Is there no other way you can do this?
Click to expand...
The Sky cable literally comes into the house from the wall on the right side of the right alcove (back right corner as you look at that pic). Previously it was coming through the window frame, so it had to move when we replaced the windows! :confused: I was thinking I could put the router flat up on the top shelf (out of sight) but then I'd need to run the power cable, ethernet cables up to it and that would be quite untidy. (read; not acceptable to my other half)
tom_e said:
I'm assuming you're going to end up having stuff on top of the cabinets as well? If so that'll kill the signal off a bit more again.
Click to expand...
The shelves won't be that full and the only thing going on top of the unit is the TV on an articulated wall-mounted arm.

My other half has suggested it can go on top of the cabinet in a wicker basket or something. It should be hidden by the TV, as a 42" telly will only just squeeze into the space! I guess we can just do that if we have to.
 
The TV will block the signal more than a 4mm sheet of MDF or ply. In a house the size you're describing I really doubt you will have any issues with it.
 
Yes, definitely not behind the TV. It’s literally an EM signal shield.

I do free work for OAPs in East Anglia sorting out their networking issues and the No. 1 easy to solve problem is they’ve put their WIFi access point in a drawer or even under the TV on a shelf. Take it out or expose the antennae and suddenly great WiFi everywhere!

As stated earlier, the problem isn’t the signal from the router - the problem is getting signal back to the router. So you will not have optimal functionality with handheld clients.

I deal with exceptionally difficult clients every day, and if you don’t want wires on display then cut a slot in the wall, insert some trunking and pull the cable so you can’t see it. Then plaster it back up again. Or take the opportunity to install ceiling or wall mounted access point(s). You can paint them so they blend in with the background. Or contrast with it.

Ultimately it’s about aesthetics vs. function. Your home, your rules.
 
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