What can stop wireless ?

Moonpie2

Moonpie2

Moonpie2

Soldato
Joined
23 Dec 2002
Posts
2,872
Location
Shiny Shanghai
Hello !!

I have just set up my wireless network but I am having difficulty maintaining a good signal.

If I go in a straight line from my (admitedly cheap) wireless PC card to the router I encounter the following objects in the 10 metre journey.
A bunch of power wires
A set of drawers jam packed with CDs and PC bumf
1 ft space
A metal framed bed
5 metres of space
A wall

Do I just need to cut out the clutter and move it closer or can I point the ariel in a certain direction ?

Advice please :)
 
Random metal objects will cause interference against a relatively low power wireless signal.

Removing them should be your first point of call, or tighten the beam with a higher gain antenna.
 
Hmmmmm.....
I suppose I'm gonna have to try moving it closer (about 4 to 5ft) and that will cut out the wires and drawers of PC stuff.

I can't really move my room and stuff around anymore :(

Actually... my Wii is also constantly on and connected. I guess on the same channel. Will that cause problems ?
 
Also, I apologise in advance for this nooby question, but does "pointing" the ariels at each other actually help any ;)
 
nah not really mate, they're omni directional generally so disperse the signal all around...

What router is it? Another access point, or a better aerial may be your best bet?
 
Well I don't wanna jinx it any, but I've moved it (as outlined above) and now my signal fluctuates between Excellent and Good, instead of Good to Poor :D

Who'd have thought that drawers of CDs and metal could intefere so much !?!?!
 
I've done my share of home wireless installs, you'd be surprised what can cause signal degredation.

Thick walls, electrial appliances (cordless phones were the worst), general position/height of the router/gateway, even had a copper roof once which really killed a signal.

Nothing stranger than wireless. (apart from fungus)
 
what sort of wall?, some walls cut the signal in half, some have little or no effect.

Is it an old building with proper walls?
 
No, its fairly modern.

But as I mentioned, the signal has dramatically increased since I've taken the drawer of signal blocking reflective CDs out of the equasion :)
 
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