Signal strength of devices on a home hub

[darrow]

New forum member here looking for help. I have a heating controller which acts as a hub for various devices around my home. How can I monitor the signal strength received by each device connected to the hub?

 

[ChrisD.]

Some actual details would be required for anyone to give you a decent answer.

 

[darrow]

Not sure what info you need. The devices operate at 2.4GHz. They are connected to the supplied hub. I was hoping that you could suggest an app that can monitor all devices connected to the hub. Tools I have looked at will tell you all about the devices connected to your router but not a separate hub.

 

[Orcvader]

Mentioning the brand would be a big step.

Usually the app that the manufacturer provides should tell you. Hive does but it's extremely basic.

 

[darrow]

The brand is Drayton, product is “Wiser”. They can check signal levels but the user cannot. I asked them. There must be an app somewhere that can monitor local wifi. The ones I looked at only access your router.

 

[Orcvader]

In that case, there's no way to check. It's not standard WiFi they're using to connect to the hub, meaning Drayton themselves needs to offer a way for customers to check.

If some devices are losing connection to the Heat Hub, Drayton does offer a range extender.

 

[darrow]

That’s disappointing. I have a range extender but connection is being lost. I want to find the optimum position for it.
The hub and extender will be transmitting a 2.4GHz signal. It must be possible to measure it but I assume that special equipment would be required. Am I correct?

 

[Orcvader]

Correct, you'll want something like a spectrum analyser, but they're not cheap.

Just to check, you're using Drayton's own extender right? Something like this: https://wiser.draytoncontrols.co.uk/smart-plug-wiser

Make sure it's not too far from the hub, and if there's for example a thick wall between them, put them much closer to each other. Ideally you don't want them near anything with a large metal surface too as that can reduce the signal strength.

 

[darrow]

Yes I am using the Wiser plug as an extender. It’s only 6 metres away from the hub. I can move it closer to the hub but then it will be further away from the radiator valves. This is the reason why I needed to monitor the signal levels. I’ll try moving it.
Thanks for your help.