Wireless performance

[PinkOrchid]

 

[Different Guy]

What are you talking about?

 

[PinkOrchid]

 

[Noor]

clean the windows where the infra red signals are sent. don't put obstacles in between the two devices. have a direct line between the ports.

 

[PinkOrchid]

 

[Weird Harold]

It's not infrared, and supposedly it should work within 1,000 feet regardless of obstacles (like walls).

It part, it depends on what RF frequencies and technology is involved. a 900Mhz system will have different dead spots than a 2.4 Ghz system and "spread spectrum" systems have different characteristics than single frequency systems.


The only practical suggestion I can make is to make a note of the dead zones and avoid them. You should also keep movement to a minimum while your connected -- i.e. if it's working, don't move.

If you have control over the positioning of the base station antenna, move it as high as possible and away from any "metal" like reinforcing rods in concrete walls and foil covered or metal HVAC ducts that can cause "ghosting" of the signal.

 

[PinkOrchid]

 

[Semler]

I have a wireless connection that would intermittently lose a connection. I found this help at Microsoft. I'm not sure if it is the same problem that you are having.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;821400

 

[PinkOrchid]

 

[Lust Engine]

Thanks Semler, although I don't know how I'm supposed to concentrate after seeing that AV of yours.....

I'll assume you're using the Mac Airport? I've also heard that the height of the base unit could also affect connectivity. Try adjusting those.

And as far as Semler's AV....oooo that does look like far too much fun.

 

[ReadyMike]

You should also do a site search and make sure your computer isn't dropping to try to link to another network (sometimes a problem in apartment complexes, or subdivision houses). Also, cordless phones in the 2.4 Ghz band can interfere, stick with 900Mhz if you can (did someone already say that?).

 

[PinkOrchid]

 

[pureromnce]

I'm at 2.4 Ghz.

How do I do a site search?

Do cell phones interfere at all?

Thanks!

Cell phones don't, but like others have said, most newer cordless home phones are on the same frequency (2.4 ghz), and definately interfere. You will here crackling and clicking in the phone and the internet connection will have to be reset.

I am about to buy either a 900 mhz or a 5.8 ghz phone to eliminate the problem.

Other than that, wireless works well! If you have multiple floors, wireless works better up than down, so put the connection on a lower floor if possible.

If you are experiencing drops, it might just be from someone close to you using a 2.4 ghz phone

Dave

 

[PinkOrchid]

 

[_Kle]

wow, and I thought this was an erotica forum.

 

[Carnus]

I run wireless here at home and install it once in a while for others as well (small business, home, etc) I can tell you some of the things I have found that really help.

Don't put it on a metal file cabinet. That works as a ground plane and sharply reduces your signal.

Put it up high, but not in the attic. They are designed to transmit in a bubble shape, directly below or directly above will get you almost nothing, but on the sides (like a donut shape) will get you the best result.

Your connection can be dropped because of what you do. Don't put you hand over your receiver, don't cover it with a coffee cup (yeah actually had a guy who would sit his coffee cup on it while using his laptop)

To find you dead spots you can use a sniffer program. Not owning a Mac I am not intimately familiar with software on that platform, but this is the link to one I have had some of my Mac friends tell me does the job pretty well. http://www.macstumbler.com/ You can use this to find the signal strength and so have places you might want to avoid and a way if you don't want to avoid them to help you move things to get a better signal.

Change the antennae on you access point. You can get a lot of after market high gain antannas that are not too pricy.

Make sure you don't have something big and ugly in the way (no I don't mean you have to tell you mother in law she can't come over if you are using the computer) Monitors are one of the most common blocks for WiFi. make sure you don't have your unit sitting behind a big monitor or other large things like a TV, fishtank or anthing else you might think of that could cause issues.

Hope some of that helps and if I can do more let me know.

Carnus

 

[PinkOrchid]

 

[Carnus]

Thanks Carnus, that is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to keep the neighbors off their cordless phone.....

All you need is a small pair of wirecutters on a dark night

Actually it is pretty unlikely that they are causing you trouble, but it would depend on how close they are to you. Either that or just have fun with it, many ham radios will pick up nicely in the range of frequencies that are used by cordless phones. Drop a few tidbits of conversation around at the block parties, and I have a feeling they will stop using it before long hehe


glad I could help

Carnus