Is the antenna removable?  I have no idea how to remove them without breaking them

sorry, just reading this post, was busy doing performance baseline before switching to tenda 
BTW, i directly jump to 384.6 from 380.66_6. im not sure what is the effect, hopefully nothing bad happen. Since i'm not using koolshare, i do not have webshell option, i think webshell is only use for configuring the nvram value (Nvram setmodel=RT-AC68U & Nvram set HW_ver=170)

Update: After set asus device list to RT-AC68U, nvram commit and reboot.

The default setting changed to RT-AC68U from TENDA, nvram show | grep asus_device_list shows it stick too.

But Asus router app still not working tho. 

Update 2: After some experiment, apparently need to set the odmpid to RT-AC68U only able to use the ASUS router app.

Things I did to make it work.
1. Change TENDA to RT-AC68U in odmpid, nvram set odmpid=RT-AC68U
2. Change TENDA to RT-AC68U in asus_device_list
3. Wifi SSID can be any name.

[attachmentid=10057333]

Give it a try bro. With ddns can remote managed through the app too.

Your Merlin is using Koolshare or other variant?

Mind to share the source?

Dont have china number, haha. 

Wait and see whether someone has it

Update: After set asus device list to RT-AC68U, nvram commit and reboot.

The default setting changed to RT-AC68U from TENDA, nvram show | grep asus_device_list shows it stick too.

But Asus router app still not working tho. 

Update 2: After some experiment, apparently need to set the odmpid to RT-AC68U only able to use the ASUS router app.

Things I did to make it work.
1. Change TENDA to RT-AC68U in odmpid, nvram set odmpid=RT-AC68U
2. Change TENDA to RT-AC68U in asus_device_list
3. Wifi SSID can be any name.

[attachmentid=10057333]

Everyone is a noob at some point, no worries.

Here is what I do.

1. Make sure the telnet in Administration > System tab > Telnet is enabled.
2. Telnet to your router using putty, login

3. Type in command "nvram show | grep asus_device_list"
You will see something similar to this, below AC68U is my wifi SSID, same goes to MAC and router IP.
Make sure you copy yours, not mine. lol

Sample result:
asus_device_list=<3>TENDA>192.168.1.1>D8:65:63:D4:3D:40>0>AC68U>255.255.255.0>1

4.  Copy the entire string above except "asus_device_list=" and also replace "TENDA" to "RT-AC68U"

Command: nvram set asus_device_list="< paste the string starting from <3> until 255.255.255.0>1 >"

Sample:
nvram set asus_device_list="<3>TENDA>192.168.1.1>D8:65:63:D4:3D:40>0>AC68U>255.255.255.0>1"

5. Type in command "nvram show | grep asus_device_list" again to check whether it has the latest changes you made.

6. Next, type in "nvram show | grep odmpid"
You will see it's showing TENDA

7. Type in nvram set odmpid=RT-AC68U (For this part, after commit & reboot, if you issue "nvram show | grep odmpid" again it will be empty, but it still works. Need other sifu to comment on this part)

8. Type in "nvram show | grep odmpid" to check again.

9. Check your setting with this command, nvram show | grep RT-AC68U
computer_name=RT-AC68U

odmpid=RT-AC68U
asus_device_list=<3>RT-AC68U>192.168.1.1>D8:65:63:D4:3D:40>0>AC68U>255.255.255.0>1

10. Type in nvram commit to to apply.

11. Type in "reboot" and router will reboot.

12. Download ASUS router app to try

13. Turn off wifi > When launch the app, it will asked you to enable wifi. After connect, if everything is correct. Will show screen as below.

[attachmentid=10057657][attachmentid=10057658][attachmentid=10057659][attachmentid=10057660]

14. When you login to your ASUS router, the name on top will change from TENDA to RT-AC68U

[attachmentid=10057661]

15. Router web > Tools > name will show as RT-AC68U

[attachmentid=10057662]
Let me know if you got stuck, hope this helps. 

https://firmware.koolshare.cn/Koolshare_Mer...1-koolshare.trx

just guess and change the link folder file name , it work lol

Thanks for the detailed steps, it works for me!
Thanks for the heads up. Upgraded to this firmware and there's no issue for me. Not sure what are the updates though. System status is still in Chinese but it's no big deal.

Is it the same as this link?

https://source.wifihell.com/9-firmware.koolshare.cn/MERLIN/

Just upgraded to 7.9.1, so far so good.

Monitor a few days see how.

yes bro, when browse the firmware and hit upload, it hang for like 15seconds..make me heart attack   

But later on only can see the loading %.

ASUS router app still works after upgrade

Mine can access with google DNS configure at WAN setting. Software as in plugin?

I just explore configure AB solution last night to block ads at router level, so far works flawlessly.

No more annoying ads on web page, even lowyat forum no more digi or umobile ads on both sides. LOL
Can go this web one by one test how strong this AB solution blocks.

https://pi-hole.net/

[attachmentid=10058105]

I just saw their website got latest version 4.0, changed name to Diversion.

https://www.ab-solution.info/

Upgrading to Diversion now xD

The amount of ads block is insane..can live monitor too  
[attachmentid=10058164]

hi sifu,
mind to share what the different between asus merlin koolshare between asuswrt-merlin?  anyone use asuswrt-merlin for tenda ac18?
thanks

Buy a no brand laptop cooler or desktop fan, normal laptop cooler can reduce >10-15C 

Only notice my RAM is 40% used around 100MB+, temperature still same

mine tenda ac18 ori firmware, after time upgrade to 500mbps, tried speed test always around 200-300mbps. any one here can get full speed from time?