Problems with T3200M and additional Router vs Access Point

[wireless]

I've been stumbling through converting a router to act as an access point, with no success.

My setup:
I have a T3200M that has a couple of wired devices attached - a desktop, a printer and a NAS. The T3200M LAN IP is 192.168.1.254, Subnet 255.255.255.0 and DNS 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1

The T3200M sends additional signals via a single coaxial cable that is split into two outside the house, with each of the two coaxials coming back into the house in different rooms. Each coaxial is then connected to a Moca and subsequently a 5-port switch. From each switch I Ethernet to an Optik Box and a number of other devices (TV, Desktop, PS4).

Because the T3200M is in one dark corner of the basement, from one of the switches I've connect an Asus AC68 Router to provide strong wireless. The WAN IP of the Router is 192.168.1.253 and the LAN IP is 192.168.2.1. Subnet is 255.255.255.0 and DNS is 1.1.1.1/1.0.0.1

Here's the problem: When the AC68 is in "Router" mode everything works fine. I've always had a problem keeping a consistent connection from my Denon Receiver to the NAS using an ethernet cable to switch, but it works fine when I connect the Receiver to the Asus Router with an ethernet. All my wireless devices (laptops, tablets, phones) connect reliably to the Asus Router, and sporadically to the T3200M.

There have been a few nagging issues that require workarounds - e.g. when a laptop is on the Asus Router SSID, I can't print to the printer connected to the T3200M. I need to jump on to the T3200M SSID and then it prints fine (other than it being a sketchy weak connection). The Denon Receiver sees the NAS (despite being wired to the Asus) and plays music, except every so often, my phone will be connected to the T3200M SSID and won't see the Reciever.

To fix that last few nagging issues I have tried converting my Asus Router over to be an Access Point. It has this mode built into it and turns off the DHCP, NAT and Firewall. I've plugged the ethernet from the switch over to a LAN Port (i.e. not the WAN Port) and the IP remains at 192.168.1.253.

As soon as I convert to this new setup, all wireless devices have either a very hard time connecting to both the T3200M SSID or the Asus SSID. The phones will sporadically connect and the laptops will not connect to either SSID at all. I've checked and rechecked SSIS passwords, security, etc.

At first I though that having so many handoffs, i.e. T3200M to coaxial to splitter to Moca to Switch was the problem, but that would also affect the network when using the Asus as a Router.

Any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong?


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