How to configure hostapd to get the maximum performance out of my adapter. #420
-
|
Hello, I'm trying to build the fastest WiFi AP that I can, using the internal adapter of my Lenovo ThinkCentre M715q. So far I've tried doing so with garywill's lspci -nnk | grep -A3 00:10
00:10.0 Network controller [0280]: Qualcomm Atheros QCA6174 802.11ac Wireless Network Adapter [168c:003e] (rev 32)
Subsystem: Lenovo QCA6174 802.11ac Wireless Network Adapter [17aa:0827]
Kernel driver in use: ath10k_pci
Kernel modules: ath10k_pciHere's the output of Wiphy phy0
wiphy index: 0
max # scan SSIDs: 16
max scan IEs length: 195 bytes
max # sched scan SSIDs: 16
max # match sets: 16
Retry short limit: 7
Retry long limit: 4
Coverage class: 0 (up to 0m)
Device supports RSN-IBSS.
Device supports AP-side u-APSD.
Supported Ciphers:
* WEP40 (00-0f-ac:1)
* WEP104 (00-0f-ac:5)
* TKIP (00-0f-ac:2)
* CCMP-128 (00-0f-ac:4)
* CMAC (00-0f-ac:6)
* CMAC-256 (00-0f-ac:13)
* GMAC-128 (00-0f-ac:11)
* GMAC-256 (00-0f-ac:12)
Available Antennas: TX 0x3 RX 0x3
Configured Antennas: TX 0x3 RX 0x3
Supported interface modes:
* IBSS
* managed
* AP
* monitor
* mesh point
* P2P-client
* P2P-GO
* P2P-device
Band 1:
Capabilities: 0x19ef
RX LDPC
HT20/HT40
SM Power Save disabled
RX HT20 SGI
RX HT40 SGI
TX STBC
RX STBC 1-stream
Max AMSDU length: 7935 bytes
DSSS/CCK HT40
Maximum RX AMPDU length 65535 bytes (exponent: 0x003)
Minimum RX AMPDU time spacing: 8 usec (0x06)
HT TX/RX MCS rate indexes supported: 0-15
Bitrates (non-HT):
* 1.0 Mbps
* 2.0 Mbps (short preamble supported)
* 5.5 Mbps (short preamble supported)
* 11.0 Mbps (short preamble supported)
* 6.0 Mbps
* 9.0 Mbps
* 12.0 Mbps
* 18.0 Mbps
* 24.0 Mbps
* 36.0 Mbps
* 48.0 Mbps
* 54.0 Mbps
Frequencies:
* 2412 MHz [1] (20.0 dBm)
* 2417 MHz [2] (20.0 dBm)
* 2422 MHz [3] (20.0 dBm)
* 2427 MHz [4] (20.0 dBm)
* 2432 MHz [5] (20.0 dBm)
* 2437 MHz [6] (20.0 dBm)
* 2442 MHz [7] (20.0 dBm)
* 2447 MHz [8] (20.0 dBm)
* 2452 MHz [9] (20.0 dBm)
* 2457 MHz [10] (20.0 dBm)
* 2462 MHz [11] (20.0 dBm)
* 2467 MHz [12] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 2472 MHz [13] (20.0 dBm)
* 2484 MHz [14] (disabled)
Band 2:
Capabilities: 0x19ef
RX LDPC
HT20/HT40
SM Power Save disabled
RX HT20 SGI
RX HT40 SGI
TX STBC
RX STBC 1-stream
Max AMSDU length: 7935 bytes
DSSS/CCK HT40
Maximum RX AMPDU length 65535 bytes (exponent: 0x003)
Minimum RX AMPDU time spacing: 8 usec (0x06)
HT TX/RX MCS rate indexes supported: 0-15
VHT Capabilities (0x339071b2):
Max MPDU length: 11454
Supported Channel Width: neither 160 nor 80+80
RX LDPC
short GI (80 MHz)
TX STBC
SU Beamformee
MU Beamformee
RX antenna pattern consistency
TX antenna pattern consistency
VHT RX MCS set:
1 streams: MCS 0-9
2 streams: MCS 0-9
3 streams: not supported
4 streams: not supported
5 streams: not supported
6 streams: not supported
7 streams: not supported
8 streams: not supported
VHT RX highest supported: 0 Mbps
VHT TX MCS set:
1 streams: MCS 0-9
2 streams: MCS 0-9
3 streams: not supported
4 streams: not supported
5 streams: not supported
6 streams: not supported
7 streams: not supported
8 streams: not supported
VHT TX highest supported: 0 Mbps
Bitrates (non-HT):
* 6.0 Mbps
* 9.0 Mbps
* 12.0 Mbps
* 18.0 Mbps
* 24.0 Mbps
* 36.0 Mbps
* 48.0 Mbps
* 54.0 Mbps
Frequencies:
* 5180 MHz [36] (30.0 dBm)
* 5200 MHz [40] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5220 MHz [44] (30.0 dBm)
* 5240 MHz [48] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5260 MHz [52] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5280 MHz [56] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5300 MHz [60] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5320 MHz [64] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5500 MHz [100] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5520 MHz [104] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5540 MHz [108] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5560 MHz [112] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5580 MHz [116] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5600 MHz [120] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5620 MHz [124] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5640 MHz [128] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5660 MHz [132] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5680 MHz [136] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5700 MHz [140] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5720 MHz [144] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5745 MHz [149] (30.0 dBm)
* 5765 MHz [153] (30.0 dBm)
* 5785 MHz [157] (30.0 dBm)
* 5805 MHz [161] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5825 MHz [165] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5845 MHz [169] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5865 MHz [173] (disabled)
Supported commands:
* new_interface
* set_interface
* new_key
* start_ap
* new_station
* new_mpath
* set_mesh_config
* set_bss
* authenticate
* associate
* deauthenticate
* disassociate
* join_ibss
* join_mesh
* remain_on_channel
* set_tx_bitrate_mask
* frame
* frame_wait_cancel
* set_wiphy_netns
* set_channel
* probe_client
* set_noack_map
* register_beacons
* start_p2p_device
* set_mcast_rate
* connect
* disconnect
* channel_switch
* set_qos_map
* set_multicast_to_unicast
* set_sar_specs
WoWLAN support:
* wake up on disconnect
* wake up on magic packet
* wake up on pattern match, up to 22 patterns of 1-134 bytes,
maximum packet offset 114 bytes
* wake up on network detection, up to 16 match sets
software interface modes (can always be added):
* monitor
valid interface combinations:
* #{ managed } <= 2, #{ AP, mesh point, P2P-client, P2P-GO } <= 2, #{ P2P-device } <= 1,
total <= 4, #channels <= 1
* #{ managed } <= 2, #{ P2P-client } <= 2, #{ AP, mesh point, P2P-GO } <= 1, #{ P2P-device } <= 1,
total <= 4, #channels <= 2
* #{ managed } <= 1, #{ IBSS } <= 1,
total <= 2, #channels <= 1
HT Capability overrides:
* MCS: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
* maximum A-MSDU length
* supported channel width
* short GI for 40 MHz
* max A-MPDU length exponent
* min MPDU start spacing
Device supports TX status socket option.
Device supports HT-IBSS.
Device supports SAE with AUTHENTICATE command
Device supports scan flush.
Device supports AP scan.
Device supports per-vif TX power setting
Driver supports full state transitions for AP/GO clients
Driver supports a userspace MPM
Driver/device bandwidth changes during BSS lifetime (AP/GO mode)
Device supports static SMPS
Device supports configuring vdev MAC-addr on create.
Device supports randomizing MAC-addr in scans.
Device supports randomizing MAC-addr in net-detect scans.
max # scan plans: 2
max scan plan interval: 7200
max scan plan iterations: 100
Supported TX frame types:
* IBSS: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
* managed: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
* AP: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
* AP/VLAN: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
* mesh point: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
* P2P-client: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
* P2P-GO: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
* P2P-device: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
Supported RX frame types:
* IBSS: 0x40 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0
* managed: 0x40 0xb0 0xd0
* AP: 0x00 0x20 0x40 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0
* AP/VLAN: 0x00 0x20 0x40 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0
* mesh point: 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0
* P2P-client: 0x40 0xd0
* P2P-GO: 0x00 0x20 0x40 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0
* P2P-device: 0x40 0xd0
Maximum associated stations in AP mode: 32
Supported extended features:
* [ VHT_IBSS ]: VHT-IBSS
* [ RRM ]: RRM
* [ SET_SCAN_DWELL ]: scan dwell setting
* [ FILS_STA ]: STA FILS (Fast Initial Link Setup)
* [ CQM_RSSI_LIST ]: multiple CQM_RSSI_THOLD records
* [ CONTROL_PORT_OVER_NL80211 ]: control port over nl80211
* [ TXQS ]: FQ-CoDel-enabled intermediate TXQs
* [ AIRTIME_FAIRNESS ]: airtime fairness scheduling
* [ AQL ]: Airtime Queue Limits (AQL)
* [ CONTROL_PORT_NO_PREAUTH ]: disable pre-auth over nl80211 control port support
* [ DEL_IBSS_STA ]: deletion of IBSS station support
* [ SCAN_FREQ_KHZ ]: scan on kHz frequency support
* [ CONTROL_PORT_OVER_NL80211_TX_STATUS ]: tx status for nl80211 control port support |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
Replies: 2 comments 6 replies
-
867 Mbps is the maximum The 54 Mbps is only for 80211g connections, which you should not be seeing if setup properly. To give hostapd the right setttings to maximize performance on the 5 GHz band you need to use the following info I grabbed from above: Based on the above, the below is the ht capabilities line that you need to use in hostapd.conf ht_capab=[LDPC][HT40+][HT40-][SHORT-GI-20][SHORT-GI-40][TX-STBC][RX-STBC1][MAX-AMSDU-7935][DSSS_CCK-40] vht_capab=[MAX-MPDU-11454][RXLDPC][SHORT-GI-80][TX-STBC-2BY1][SU-BEAMFORMEE][MU-BEAMFORMEE][RX-ANTENNA-PATTERN][TX-ANTENNA-PATTERN] I can take the time to explain if you want. That is about as far as I can go for now as I do not know how you are setting up your networking or what is the source of connectivity for the laptop. I'd also like to know what distro is being used and any addition wifi cards/adapters that will be used on the system. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
This is weird AF, I'll try to explain... So the computer is not a laptop, it's a small form factor PC, typically used in the business environment. I'm running Proxmox on it, and the WiFi card is passed through to a VM that's running a using a cut-down version of Lubuntu (with no desktop environment, CLI only). The reason for this is that whenever I tried a minimal installation of Debian or Ubuntu server (and even others) hostapd would refuse to work, because this: $ iw list
-------------------
Frequencies:
* 5180 MHz [36] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5200 MHz [40] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5220 MHz [44] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5240 MHz [48] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5260 MHz [52] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5280 MHz [56] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5300 MHz [60] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5320 MHz [64] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5500 MHz [100] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5520 MHz [104] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5540 MHz [108] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5560 MHz [112] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5580 MHz [116] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5600 MHz [120] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5620 MHz [124] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5640 MHz [128] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5660 MHz [132] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5680 MHz [136] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5700 MHz [140] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5720 MHz [144] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5745 MHz [149] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5765 MHz [153] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5785 MHz [157] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5805 MHz [161] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5825 MHz [165] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5845 MHz [169] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5865 MHz [173] (disabled)
---------------------Not a single channel is allowed to be used... something related to the Wireless Regulatory Domain not being set, I guess... tried a bunch of things to fix it, nothing worked, then I decided to just use Lubuntu and remove the entire graphical environment, which is where we are now. I based my hostapd config off of your reply in discussion #31, only changing $ iw list
---------------------------
Frequencies:
* 5180 MHz [36] (30.0 dBm)
* 5200 MHz [40] (30.0 dBm)
* 5220 MHz [44] (30.0 dBm)
* 5240 MHz [48] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5260 MHz [52] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5280 MHz [56] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5300 MHz [60] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5320 MHz [64] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5500 MHz [100] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5520 MHz [104] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5540 MHz [108] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5560 MHz [112] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5580 MHz [116] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5600 MHz [120] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5620 MHz [124] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5640 MHz [128] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5660 MHz [132] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5680 MHz [136] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5700 MHz [140] (30.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5720 MHz [144] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5745 MHz [149] (30.0 dBm)
* 5765 MHz [153] (30.0 dBm)
* 5785 MHz [157] (30.0 dBm)
* 5805 MHz [161] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5825 MHz [165] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5845 MHz [169] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5865 MHz [173] (disabled)
-----------------------now looks like this $ iw list
------------------------
Frequencies:
* 5180 MHz [36] (23.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5200 MHz [40] (23.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5220 MHz [44] (23.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5240 MHz [48] (23.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5260 MHz [52] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5280 MHz [56] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5300 MHz [60] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5320 MHz [64] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5500 MHz [100] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5520 MHz [104] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5540 MHz [108] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5560 MHz [112] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5580 MHz [116] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5600 MHz [120] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5620 MHz [124] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5640 MHz [128] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5660 MHz [132] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5680 MHz [136] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5700 MHz [140] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5720 MHz [144] (24.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
* 5745 MHz [149] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5765 MHz [153] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5785 MHz [157] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5805 MHz [161] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5825 MHz [165] (30.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5845 MHz [169] (27.0 dBm) (no IR)
* 5865 MHz [173] (disabled)
----------------------Rebooting reverts back to "normal" but hostapd refuses to work on channel 36 (even tho the very first time it worked) ubuntu@hostapd:~$ sudo hostapd /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
wls16: interface state UNINITIALIZED->COUNTRY_UPDATE
wls16: interface state COUNTRY_UPDATE->HT_SCAN
Could not set channel for kernel driver
Interface initialization failed
wls16: interface state HT_SCAN->DISABLED
wls16: AP-DISABLED
wls16: interface state DISABLED->DISABLED
wls16: AP-DISABLED
wls16: CTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING
hostapd_free_hapd_data: Interface wls16 wasn't started
nl80211: deinit ifname=wls16 disabled_11b_rates=0If I change the channel to 40 it kinda works but only at 78Mbps Tx 6Mbps Rx and hostapd complains about HT40 channel pair 40, 44 not being allowed... wls16: interface state UNINITIALIZED->COUNTRY_UPDATE
wls16: interface state COUNTRY_UPDATE->HT_SCAN
HT40 channel pair (40, 44) not allowed
Fallback to 20 MHz
wls16: interface state HT_SCAN->ENABLED
wls16: AP-ENABLED
^Cwls16: interface state ENABLED->DISABLED
wls16: AP-DISABLED
wls16: CTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING
nl80211: deinit ifname=wls16 disabled_11b_rates=0on top of that, as soon as I close hostapd all frequencies show as (No IR) in ubuntu@hostapd:~$ sudo hostapd /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
wls16: interface state UNINITIALIZED->COUNTRY_UPDATE
wls16: interface state COUNTRY_UPDATE->HT_SCAN
HT40 channel pair (40, 44) not allowed
Fallback to 20 MHz
wls16: interface state HT_SCAN->ENABLED
wls16: AP-ENABLED
^Cwls16: interface state ENABLED->DISABLED
wls16: AP-DISABLED
wls16: CTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING
nl80211: deinit ifname=wls16 disabled_11b_rates=0
ubuntu@hostapd:~$ sudo hostapd /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
wls16: interface state UNINITIALIZED->COUNTRY_UPDATE
Frequency 5200 (primary) not allowed for AP mode, flags: 0x3073 NO-IR
Primary frequency not allowed
wls16: IEEE 802.11 Configured channel (40) or frequency (5200) (secondary_channel=1) not found from the channel list of the current mode (2) IEEE 802.11a
wls16: IEEE 802.11 Hardware does not support configured channel
Could not select hw_mode and channel. (-3)
wls16: interface state COUNTRY_UPDATE->DISABLED
wls16: AP-DISABLED
wls16: Unable to setup interface.
wls16: interface state DISABLED->DISABLED
wls16: AP-DISABLED
wls16: CTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING
hostapd_free_hapd_data: Interface wls16 wasn't started
nl80211: deinit ifname=wls16 disabled_11b_rates=0EDIT: If I use lnxrouter with the basic arguments eg: |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Well I have no idea if you have the same hardware as I have, but seeing your I ended up figuring out it was likely this, where basically intel determines the country code independently, with (potentially) no way to disable it. So if it fails (and that seems to occur), it locks you out of the 5Ghz range for AP mode. Btw thank you @morrownr , although not your primary intention, your answer above is very helpful for me who was just looking to see what flags to put ^^" |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Thanks for your reply. I ended up buying a dedicated AP and an M.2 2.5Gb NIC, much cleaner setup, with VLAN capabilities and more. I'm marking your reply as answer and I also want to thank @morrownr for the explanations. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Hi @Snowflake8
It is not clear to me why Intel went the direction that they did on this issue. The various wireless component makers have their own way of doing things. Of course, computers users, and especially Linux users, has their own way of doing things. There are 4 primary wireless modes that are in heavy use by Linux users: Managed (client) Intel does a poor job with AP and monitor modes plus they do not supply USB chipsets. That makes Intel a poor choice for many Linux users. Then we have Broadcom and Marvel and some of the other players that have a history of limited to non existent Linux support and basically what we have left is Mediatek, Qualcomm and Realtek. Qualcomm no longer makers USB chipsets so they are a non player in that market. They do, however, do a decent job with their Linux support for chips and SoCs for cards and wireless devices such as Wireless routers and APs. Then there is Realtek who has finally started doing a much better job of support for their drivers for internal chipsets. They are very active on linux-wireless. On the other hand, Realtek's USB support is still poor. So, basically if we are looking at buying a wireless router, I would look at 1) Mediatek and 2) Qualcomm. If looking at PCIe or M.2 wireless cards, I would look at 1) Mediatek and 2) Qualcomm and maybe Realtek. If looking for USB adapters, I would look at 1) Mediatek and that is about it for now. Hopefully this changes and we see proper support for USB from additional suppliers.
Glad it helped. Stop by anytime. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Yeah. I found some workarounds in this discussion with special mention to this repo who has a patch for hostapd that (kindof) works. Actually still fighting though it. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
I need you to slow down for me. You are working too many issues in a complicated setup. Let's solve one issue at a time. What country are you in? |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
I'm sorry, I get anxious when I don't know the source of my problems 😞 . I'm in the US. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
Well I have no idea if you have the same hardware as I have, but seeing your
iw listthat looks suspiciously like mine I'll venture a guess (also so other people have more chance of identifying this issue if it happens to them).I ended up figuring out it was likely this, where basically intel determines the country code independently, with (potentially) no way to disable it. So if it fails (and that seems to occur), it locks you out of the 5Ghz range for AP mode.
Btw thank you @morrownr , although not your primary intention, your answer above is very helpful for me who was just looking to see what flags to put ^^"