@DozierM,

This sounds like you have the Range Extender configured as an Access Point instead of a Range Extender. This creates a separate network that you have to connect to. If you are using an ethernet cable to connect to your router, the Range Extender will automatically be configured as an Access Point.

If you are having stability issues, I would try to move the extender to a point halfway between where the signal should end up and the router so that the connections on both sides of the wireless communications will be stable.

  @DozierM,

What was the falloff of the Connection Speed for the Range Extender, it is pretty common to see a drop in potential speed of up to 50%, hence why REs are usually a last resort compared to mesh and APs which provide more stable connections to the host router.