huge signal strength fluctuations 56U 2.4N mode

[cdbma]

I have my 56U configured for N-only on both frequencies. I'm seeing (inSSIDER) these funky signal drops. The blue is my 2.4N, the green is my G router and the yellow is my neighbor's weak G signal. When the signal drops, it goes from -38dB to about -70dB or more. There are no channel overlaps.

Just for giggles, I changed the mode to "auto," and I'm not seeing the drops. I changed it back to "N only" and I don't see drops for a bit, then they start up again.

I've changed channels but that does not seem to make any difference. I really don't have any competition for any particular channel anyway.

Any ideas?

 

[CaptainSTX]

I have my 56U configured for N-only on both frequencies. I'm seeing (inSSIDER) these funky signal drops. The blue is my 2.4N, the green is my G router and the yellow is my neighbor's weak G signal. When the signal drops, it goes from -38dB to about -70dB or more. There are no channel overlaps.

Just for giggles, I changed the mode to "auto," and I'm not seeing the drops. I changed it back to "N only" and I don't see drops for a bit, then they start up again.

I've changed channels but that does not seem to make any difference. I really don't have any competition for any particular channel anyway.

Any ideas?

You need to manually try the channels 1 - 11 and see if you can find a channel where you don't have the ups and downs.

I was having a problem with one of my access points using Channel 1. When I used inSSIDER I was not seeing any other APs using 1, but I was having the same drops you are seeing. I attached another more sensitive USB WifI adapter with an external antenna to my PC and all of a sudden I could see several other APs using channel 1. When they came up my signal went down.

I am now using channel 9 for G clients and 11 for N clients. All other channels that I tested for my G clients showed the ups and downs similar to what you are seeing.

inSSIDER is useful but only shows you what SSIDs your adapter can find. The common wisdom is that you should always use channel 1, 6 or 11 but you need to test for yourself what chanels work best in your location.

 

[cdbma]

channel drops

You need to manually try the channels 1 - 11 and see if you can find a channel where you don't have the ups and downs.

I was having a problem with one of my access points using Channel 1. When I used inSSIDER I was not seeing any other APs using 1, but I was having the same drops you are seeing. I attached another more sensitive USB WifI adapter with an external antenna to my PC and all of a sudden I could see several other APs using channel 1. When they came up my signal went down.

I am now using channel 9 for G clients and 11 for N clients. All other channels that I tested for my G clients showed the ups and downs similar to what you are seeing.

inSSIDER is useful but only shows you what SSIDs your adapter can find. The common wisdom is that you should always use channel 1, 6 or 11 but you need to test for yourself what chanels work best in your location.

Thanks Captain...

I spent some time moving the router around. What you'll see in the latest capture is that the drops seem to be rather regular. I'm seeing this on other channels as well, so I'm thinking the drops are being caused by something in my house. Alas...

 

[RMerlin]

Note that quite a few other devices run in the 2.4 GHz band and can interfere with routers:

- Cordless phones that aren't DECT 6.0 or 900 MHz
- Microwave ovens
- Bluetooth

The most common source of problem is cordless phones that are also using 2.4 GHz. You can either replace these with DECT 6.0 phones (which operates in a totally different band), or make sure your router channel width is set to 20 MHz rather than 40 MHz.

 

[cdbma]

Note that quite a few other devices run in the 2.4 GHz band and can interfere with routers:

- Cordless phones that aren't DECT 6.0 or 900 MHz
- Microwave ovens
- Bluetooth

The most common source of problem is cordless phones that are also using 2.4 GHz. You can either replace these with DECT 6.0 phones (which operates in a totally different band), or make sure your router channel width is set to 20 MHz rather than 40 MHz.

That's what's driving me crazy - I don't have any 2.4GHz phones, the microwave is always off during testing, and I don't use Bluetooth devices. I don't have baby monitors or car alarms.

I'll keep poking.