WiFi network

UniFi WiFi for the whole building: one gateway, a PoE switch and 3 ceiling access points.

Next steps

• Answer the picker questions with Evan (cameras, auditorium puck, outdoor WiFi, speakers)

  Micheal · On this page
  To do
• Get the make and model of the mixer and the wireless snake

  Micheal · Decides the auditorium channel plan
  To do
• Confirm the internet provider and where the modem comes into the building

  Micheal · The gateway and switch go next to it
  To do
• Walk the building and mark 3 ceiling spots (auditorium, lobby/office, classroom wing) plus a spare 4th

  Micheal
  To do
• Run Cat6 from the switch to each spot (pull the 4th spare cable at the same time)

  Micheal
  To do
• Order the gear and set up 3 networks: Staff, Guest, AV booth

  Micheal
  To do
• Walk-test signal on a phone; add the 4th access point only if there's a dead spot

  Micheal
  To do

A UniFi system managed from one phone app: a gateway (the router), a PoE switch that powers the access points over their network cable, and ceiling access points ('pucks'). The building is about 9,000 sq ft, built in 1972. Buildings from that era often have block walls, which cut WiFi a lot, so plan where each puck goes before buying.

Answer the questions: the gear list updates

Tap an answer to each question. The list and total change to match. UniFi and Sonos prices were checked on their own stores Oct 17, 2026 (UniFi prices include Ubiquiti's current memory surcharge). Items marked est. are estimates. Not included: tax and labor.

Worship sound on WiFi (iPad mixer + wireless snake)

• Does it change the plan? A little. The gear list stays the same, but the auditorium setup matters more.
• Plug the mixer into the network with a cable (a run from the stage to the switch). Don't rely on the mixer's built-in WiFi. The iPad then connects through the UniFi puck and stays solid.
• Give the iPad its own AV network: 5 GHz only, a fixed channel, not shared with guests. Lock the guest network down so 150 phones on Sunday can't crowd it.
• The wireless snake: many run on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, the same bands as WiFi (most wireless mics use UHF and don't conflict). Once we know the model, we keep the WiFi on different channels, or turn 2.4 GHz down in the auditorium.
• The wireless HDMI test kit also uses 5 GHz. If it stays, it needs its own channel away from the iPad's.
• Strongly consider the U7 Pro for the auditorium: its 6 GHz band takes newer phones off 5 GHz and leaves room for the iPad and the snake.
• The sound keeps working if the internet goes down. The UniFi network runs locally.

Notes

• Mount the pucks on the ceiling in the middle of each area, not in closets or above metal. Walk-test on a phone after setup and add a puck only where it's weak.
• Set up 3 networks: Staff (office and computers), Guest (password on the screens, speed-limited, content filter on), and AV (the booth MacBook, the iPad mixer and streaming, kept off guest traffic).
• Run wired cables to the AV booth and the stage (for the mixer). Streaming, ProPresenter and the iPad mixer are steadier with the main gear on a cable.
• Speakers: wired is best for live service audio (no delay, nothing to drop). Sonos is easiest for background music and phone control, but adds a small delay, so keep it out of the auditorium.

Unlisted working page (not in the site menu). Updated 2026-10-17.