WRT/Open Source Routers, Anyone have experience with them?

@capwalker666 - Sadly there are no cheap WiFi 6 routers as they are still asking a premium for them. Here's a good write up on WiFi 6 Wi-Fi 6: is it really that much faster?

Frankly, unless you have a gig speed internet connection from your ISP it won't offer any improvement. Most of Spectrums service for residential areas is still 200/400 Mbps You pay a premium for the 940 Mbps connection (business class). Don't forget this is a shared connection so like a slice of pie you can't get more than what your slice is with the other devices/folks sharing the connection are taking.

I would focus on a good 802.11ac router (now called Wi-Fi 5)

@capwalker666 I'm lost. When you say Spectrum "acts up", what does that mean? Remember you are using the Spectrum hardware as a MODEM & ROUTER. So technically speaking you can disable the router portion of the Spectrum hardware & use the Airport Extreme as your router/AP/NAT etc. Apparently the Airport Extreme 6th Gen (2013-A1521) has draft AC so at least that's there.

Honestly, Wifi is not a reliable source of communications, I've seen microwaves that interfere with it. Remember it's always "UP TO" with wifi due to outside noise, other APs in the area, etc etc.

As recommended by me, I do recommend Mikrotik as they are just as nutso as you probably want. Go here http://demo.mt.lv/webfig/ to experience the interface. I look at that screen and my eyes go cross-eyed. LOL

Another thing, we cannot recommend SPECIFIC hardware as we don't know your needs. We can only recommend brands and/or product lines that we assume are within your requirements.

Lastly, I would never purchase a ROUTER/AP in one. Why? Because I upgrade my APs to meet the new standards (Wifi 5, 6, and onwards) but keep my router as a good ole boy that does what I need it to do and not have to upgrade it every other year.

My current setup is

CABLE MODEM <-> pfsense running on a low power fanless (fanless is a REQUIREMENT for me as I want quiet) computer like a GENETEC SV16 (not an ARM board) <-> Tp-link EAC225.

Here is the Miktotik product line (I've not heard bad things about them yet):

https://mikrotik.com/products

Here is some SBC:

https://all3dp.com/2/single-board-comput...

https://www.jetwaycomputer.com/Barebones...

I just got tired of dealing with specific "board" hardware and chose to seperate my components for both ease of repair and upgrade, as well as the abilities to improve on my interface with the router. I didn't care for the technical setup of the AP as I can effect most changes through pfsense. Keep in mind, I am an above-average linux user (not an admin by any standard) and pfsense fit my needs (I used it in my last work and the network admin was always there to assist me in my personal learning/setup). I also am able to run "pi-hole" to remove ADs for the kids iPad (it setups an intermediate DNS server) as well as run my local NAS from the same computer (I run OpenMediaVault).

Also I just realized I upgraded from the GENETEC SV16 to a NUC style board from Jetway. YMMV

First off let me thank the anonymous sysop for changing the body of the question. I'll know what to do next time.

Spectrum: 6 attempts on the 5 to login to a site , the next attempt on the 2.4 went through fine. Now I grew up without WIFI. I'm cool with cabling. But WIFI 6 is a big ad point so apparently it's support is something to plan for, like a young married couple buying a two bedroom just in case: baby, friends, family.

I'll head towards MIKROTIK... but i'd really rather use my Extreme or Time Machine as the router. But when I replace their router with the Extreme no internet comes through. I did it with their tech support on the phone and nothing (no internet).

I have an update on booting with external monitor. I'll post it there.