I think the CAB2 to base issue may have more to do with the internal antenna in the CAB2 than the BASE3. However, since you're not going to change that, the logical way to attack it is to increase the signal strength and sensitivity of the BASE3.
Here's a 9db antenna with a base and a 1.5m cable. This allows you to put the antenna up higher for better range and a clear view.
I have one similar to this, without the cable. Bought on Ebay years ago, no name brand. No improvement, range still less than 15 feet.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:That seems to answer the question, the two are different transceivers. I would have guessed that, but I haven't cracked the case of the BASE3 yet to see what's inside.
It’s crammed pretty tight but everything fits together very well the shell and boards mechanically were very well thought out there’s more pictures on THIS thread
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I think the CAB2 to base issue may have more to do with the internal antenna in the CAB2 than the BASE3. However, since you're not going to change that, the logical way to attack it is to increase the signal strength and sensitivity of the BASE3.
I’ve recently been thinking that the aging Cab-2’s might be a lot of problems here. We had a modular layout at a train show in OKC one member took a Cab-1L to one end of the building at least 75-100’ and it still worked. But I had trouble in the layout with a Cab-2. Doubt there’s much any of us “lay” people could do inside the Cab-2
We have only 15ft range on both cab2 and cab1L with new base3. Was >50ft with base2.
@Greenline posted:We have only 15ft range on both cab2 and cab1L with new base3. Was >50ft with base2.
First is the case with all 9 remote channels?
If so then sounds like you need to contact Lionel. It very well might just be the antenna wire popped off the CAB Transceiver but I wouldn’t recommend opening anything new up unless you feel fully capable and are willing to live with any consequences if you make it worse.
Did you stick the Legacy base back in and see if the range difference is still there? If so, then I'd suspect something amiss with the BASE3 and not the CAB2.
I re-tested the new club Base3 on my home layout. Cab2 range for reliable operation with Base2 was 40ft ,but only 15 ft with Base3. I did notice that speed control worked out to 30 ft. If speed was changed on the Cab2 the Base3 would make the train speed follow until it reached target speed.. Tried all 9 channels. If antenna is removed cab 2 does not work. I will contact Lionel.
Good grief, that's terrible! At the NJ-HR layout, there are times you're 75-80 feet at least from the command base, and I never had any problem running trains with the CAB2 there with the Legacy base! If the remote range is 15 feet, I'll have problems using it with my relatively small layout! 
Cab1-L & Cab2 and the Cab3 app, around 35ft-through walls for both Base2 & 3 with the stock antennas... and, around 74' with the High Gain 12dbi antenna from an old Asus router. The train room is in the attic... I can close the attic doors, go downstairs, outside to the back of the lot and run the trains
I didn't take a photo with the Cab2... but, here's the Cab3 at the back of the swimming pool.
Train Room, upstairs in the attic, doors closed. Measured at 73' 8" and connected to the Base2 and Base3. I don't know how much further I could have walked before losing connectivity.
Frequency is also 'very' important... you may have to try several to dial it in ... Channel '9' seems to work well for a lot of folks.
The following table lists the standard 2.4GHz channel frequencies. If you know the frequency of a device you think may be in conflict with the Base3’s Wi-Fi, use the table to choose which frequency may best solve the interference issue.
| Channel Number | Lower Frequency MHz | Center Frequency MHz | Upper Frequency MHz |
| 1 | 2401 | 2412 | 2423 |
| 2 | 2406 | 2417 | 2428 |
| 3 | 2411 | 2422 | 2433 |
| 4 | 2416 | 2427 | 2438 |
| 5 | 2421 | 2432 | 2443 |
| 6 | 2426 | 2437 | 2448 |
| 7 | 2431 | 2442 | 2453 |
| 8 | 2436 | 2447 | 2458 |
| 9 | 2441 | 2452 | 2463 |
| 10 | 2446 | 2457 | 2468 |
| 11 | 2451 | 2462 | 2473 |
You can also change the TMCC remote channel to help alleviate interference issues. When the Base3 is in “ACCESS POINT” mode, the Wi-Fi channel will automatically be changed to whichever channel best operates with the TMCC remote channel. When the Base3 is in “JOIN to NETWORK” mode, the Wi-Fi channel must be changed manually.
The following table lists the TMCC remote channel frequencies in the Base3. Use this as a guide to select the best channel if you are experiencing interference issues.
| TMCC Channel Number | Channel Frequency MHz |
| 1 | 2404.0 |
| 2 | 2412.2 |
| 3 | 2420.4 |
| 4 | 2428.6 |
| 5 | 2436.8 |
| 6 | 2447.6 |
| 7 | 2458.4 |
| 8 | 2469.2 |
| 9 | 2480.0 |
Thanks for the info & help
Lionel quickly responded to my email today and said to send our Base3 in for warranty repair. 6-8 weeks turnaround so we will send it in when our club shuts down for the summer. I managed to improve the Cab2 response enough so we can run on the Base3 until then.
Antenna boosters were no help. I got a Sunhans Signal Booster amp from Amazon. No risk 30 day return, very pleased. The Cab2 to Base3 operational range is now >40ft through a brick fireplace wall at my house. Better than I ever got Cab2 to my Base2. The Cab2 out of range light flashes a quite a lot outside 15ft. All commands are still getting through. You have to be well within 15ft when you power up the Cab2 for it to find the Base3.
I always use a wifi analyzer app to assess the situation, try different channels, and stay off my router's channel
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