GL-MT1300 (Beryl) - USB WiFi

Roaming21 · 2021-02-17T00:18:04.303Z

I have been the happy owner of a GL-AR750S (Slate) for quite a while and recently upgraded to the GL-MT1300 (Beryl).

I mostly use the router when traveling and in “repeater” mode. To optimize bandwidth, connect to distant APs, and to have a choice in local AP channel (when a STA connection is in place, the AP on the specific frequency must match the STA channel), I have opted for an external (e.g. USB) Ralink based WiFi dongle. The limited 802.11n speed is more than compensated by the reaching capabilities of an external antenna (+3db). In order to avoid any conflict with GL scripts/portal, I made sure that configuration items would not align with existing nomenclature (e.g. extconn vs wwan and extwifi0 vs wlan0 etc.). This approach works flawlessly on the 750S. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for the 1300. While the configuration is virtually identical and to some degree works, the WiFi connection over USB is extremely poor. When observing the USB interface, the RX speed is somewhat proper while the TX speed is abysmal and not matching the RX connection (1-6.5 Mbps). In an attempt to understand the problem I have compared the 750 and the 1300 in the same location, with the same WiFi dongle/s, against 3 different APs (Ubiquiti, iPhone, Windows). Issue remains the same. I am currently waiting for an Alfa AC600 to make sure the issue is not related to USB3.0 and 2.4GHZ. Apart from that, everything seems to point at the USB3 driver (the MTK is the one that gets loaded). Any help, hint, and/or direction is welcome.

Thank you.

alzhao · 2021-02-17T03:44:19.592Z

MT1300 comes with MTK proprietary wifi driver. For some reason, it does not work well with other open source drivers. This is the same as MT300N-V2.

I am not sure if the above is the reason. But if you can install a clean openwrt firmware with all open source wifi drivers, you may have a try.

Roaming21 · 2021-02-18T12:09:59.061Z

Will give it a try.

THX!

glinoob · 2021-06-12T22:51:29.170Z

Would love to hear the results of the experiment

kajimike · 2021-08-28T16:17:34.185Z

alzhao:

openwrt firmware

I am having the same problem: unable to connect to a Mesh WIFI system that is both 2.4 and 5 ghz. It was written:

But if you can install a clean openwrt firmware with all open source wifi drivers, <<

Are there instructions on how to do this somewhere? I want to try.
Thanks

alzhao · 2021-08-30T02:50:11.420Z

There is firmware for MT1300 in openwrt snapshot

https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=SNAPSHOT&target=ramips%2Fmt7621&id=glinet_gl-mt1300

But I haven’t try this one.

smiths · 2021-08-30T09:18:52.211Z

I had show-stopper probelem with Beryl Openwrt 21 RC3. Its very much work in progress.

Really poor wifi speed and distance.
Lost config on reboot.

I think it needs a few revisions!

YMMV
Simon

Miyagi · 2025-02-10T18:03:14.819Z

Hi, did you manage to get this working with a Beryl AX?

My use case is repeating a really weak WiFi signal, so was looking into external USB WiFi antennas (maybe an Alfa?), recommendations on that also welcome.

admon · 2025-02-10T18:03:46.925Z

This thread is too old, please create a new one explaining your whole setup.
See How to get support quickly

admon · 2025-02-10T18:03:51.232Z