2.4 Guest network stronger than regular 2.4 network?

So I'm setting up a new Roku streaming stick which at the other end of my house from my TP-Link C9 Rev 1 wireless router. The Roku stick install window for wireless networks shows signal strength for each alternative. I was surprised that the Guest network had a stronger signal than the regular network. I thought that trhe regular network and the Guest network used the same 2.4 network, and the split was entirely in the router's software. No?

If that router uses one antenna per network, possible your guest network is using an antenna that is best oriented for your Roku stick. Depends on how the router handles things. Might be worth moving some of the antennas around and see if the regular and guest change strengths. Other possibility is interference from outside network transmitters is screwing with the regular channel more then the guest channel.

Dead Parrot said:

If that router uses one antenna per network, possible your guest network is using an antenna that is best oriented for your Roku stick. Depends on how the router handles things. Might be worth moving some of the antennas around and see if the regular and guest change strengths. Other possibility is interference from outside network transmitters is screwing with the regular channel more then the guest channel.

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Thanks. The idea of moving antennas around is a new one for me. Of course, with the spacing between the Roku stick and the router, I'll need cellphones to tell my wife to move things around.

Outside interference? On the 2.4 network. Sure. That's one reason why I keep all the devices, PCs, tablets, phones, etc., on the 5.0 network. Right now, the Roku stick says that the signal on the 5.0 network is too weak to use. Maybe with moving the antennas around, I'll get a usable 5.0 signal.

x509

5ghz will have less interference (possibly), and 2.4 penetrates through walls better.