Change country to unlock channels, increase TX-power. (Use at your own risk)

README.md

Warning

Following instructions are provided without any warranty, and may even get you in trouble legally. The instructions are provided for testing, and should be use with care. We (including commentators) are not responsible for any damage to your device(s).

Introduction

This may enable additional channels and power (in most cases don't) on ASUS Merlin provided routers.

The nvram settings have been tested on a ASUS RT-AX58U, they may work on other models as well (ASUS RT-AC78U).

Please use nvram dump and adjust when needed, as they may differ on your device!

Credits to the commentators below, and members on the SNBForums posting instructions. Please post your findings, and help others when needed. :)

Login into router using SSH

See https://www.htpcguides.com/enable-ssh-asus-routers-without-ssh-keys/ for instructions.

Backup current settings

nvram dump > dump.txt

NOTE: You need to copy the dump.txt (or output by nvram dump to somewhere else, as they will be lost on reboot

JFFS custom scripts and configs

Make sure Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs, is enabled in System settings. See https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/wiki/User-scripts for details.

Create a /jffs/scripts/wl file, and paste the nvram overwrites into this file (see given example file).

Create/adjust /jffs/scripts/init-start:

#!/bin/sh

[ -x /jffs/scripts/wl ] && /jffs/scripts/wl &
# [ -x /jffs/addons/AdGuardHome.d/AdGuardHome.sh ] && /jffs/addons/AdGuardHome.d/AdGuardHome.sh init-start & # place before addons

Create/adjust /jffs/scripts/services-start:

#!/bin/sh

cru a wl "0 */8 * * * /jffs/scripts/wl"

Make sure the scripts are executable:

chmod a+rx /jffs/scripts/*

Applying changes

You need to reboot the router to apply changes

Please note changing settings in the UI, may undo nvram changes.

It is recommended to change settings using CLI instead:

nvram set wl1_chanspec=149/160
# nvram set wl1_chanspec=149/80
# nvram set wl1_chanspec=48
service restart_wireless

To make the changes persistent, make sure to add them to the jffs/scripts/wl script.

wl

#!/bin/sh

# Allow all channels
nvram set location_code=#a
nvram set 0:ccode=#a
nvram set 0:regrev=0
nvram set 1:ccode=#a
nvram set 1:regrev=0
nvram set territory_code=CN/02
nvram set wl_country_code=#a
nvram set wl_reg_mode=h
nvram set wl0_chlist="1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14"
nvram set wl0_country_code=#a
nvram set wl0_country_rev=0
nvram set wl0_reg_mode=h
nvram set wl1_chlist="36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 140 149 153 157 161 165 169 173 177"
nvram set wl1_country_code=#a
nvram set wl1_country_rev=0
nvram set wl1_reg_mode=h
nvram set acs_unii4=1
nvram set wl_acs_excl_chans_dfs=
nvram set wl_acs_excl_chans=
nvram set wl0_acs_dfs=1
nvram set wl0_acs_excl_chans_base=
nvram set wl0_acs_excl_chans=
nvram set wl1_acs_dfs=1
nvram set wl1_acs_excl_chans_base=
nvram set wl1_acs_excl_chans=

# Channel selection
nvram set wl0_chanspec=0 # auto select
nvram set wl1_chanspec=0 # auto select
nvram set wl_chanspec=0 # auto select
# nvram set wl0_sel_channel=7/80 # force 2.4GHz channel
# nvram set wl1_sel_channel=149/80 # force 5GHz channel

# Set TX-Power (risky!)
nvram set 0:maxp2ga0=120
nvram set 0:maxp2ga1=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb0a0=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb0a1=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb0a2=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb0a3=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb1a0=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb1a1=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb1a2=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb1a3=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb2a0=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb2a1=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb2a2=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb2a3=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb3a0=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb3a1=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb3a2=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb3a3=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb4a0=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb4a1=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb4a2=120
nvram set 1:maxp5gb4a3=120
nvram set wl0_txpower=500
nvram set wl1_txpower=500
nvram set wl_txpower=500

# Commit changes
nvram commit

@barkmarkin https://gist.github.com/francoism90/3dede7973354d067c41bff5e54203fe9?permalink_comment_id=4620888#gistcomment-4620888

See note/warning - changing (WiFi) settings using the UI, will overrule the nvram changes.

I have improved the instructions, based on comments given on this gist (many thanks for that!).

If anything is missing, please let me know. :)

Well thank you if it says 28 then I'm getting the most out of my device correct?

@barkmarkin It all depends, even if your router uses a different country, the device still can use different/legit settings. I think 28 in tx power?

I've done some reading, and tried multiple things, but it seems WiFi is able to send a signal, which make sure no one can actually change the country, as like forcing Germany when being in the EU.

As said in the disclaimer, it may work, but results may vary.

Hi guys,

None of the settings from above worked on my ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12.
I am trying to enable the 6GHz channel but nothing seems to work.

nvram set location_code=#a nvram set 0:ccode=#a nvram set 0:regrev=0 nvram set 1:ccode=#a nvram set 1:regrev=0 nvram set 2:ccode=#a nvram set 2:regrev=0 nvram set territory_code=CN/02 nvram set wl_country_code=#a nvram set wl_reg_mode=h nvram set wl2_country_code=#a nvram set wl2_country_rev=0 nvram set wl2_reg_mode=h nvram set acs_unii4=1 nvram set wl_acs_excl_chans_dfs= nvram set wl_acs_excl_chans= nvram set wl2_acs_dfs=1 nvram set wl2_acs_excl_chans_base= nvram set wl2_acs_excl_chans=

Does anyone have any idea what else they may be locking on this router?

Hi, does anyone know which settings change the "PRE-ISM Channel Availability Check (CAC)" for DFS-channels? I don't want to switch DFS off with #a, In-Service-Monitoring is fine and I think necessary. But I'd like to reduce the initial wait time for the WLAN to come up scanning for 60s after every reboot or WLAN channel change. Any tips appreciated - thanks in advance.

@ovidiu4 @Doc-Steve Please use nvram dump, and check the values.

Hopefully you can force this, by changing the nvram setting.