On Dec 14, 2010, at 8:42 AM, LuKreme wrote:

> I am trying to setup a Wireless Range Extender (Repeater) (a netgear 834b to 
> talk to my netgear 3700) and I want to test the signal strength in various 
> areas of the house so I can try and find the 'best' place to put the 824b (I 
> am not moving the 3700), but how?
> 
> The numbers in the opt-click wifi menu don't mean anything to me (RSSI: -62, 
> Channel 153, MCS Index: 13). the only one that seems useful is the Transmit 
> rate.

My rule of thumb is that anything -80 or less-negative should result in a 
serviceable connection.  The other rule of thumb is that there should be at 
least ten points difference between the signal and noise readings.

> But what I want is something that shows the wifi signal strength as I walk 
> around the house with the laptop (or better, iPhone) so I can try a bunch of 
> different positions for the 834b.

I third iStumbler.  Now, if you wanted to be a real radio geek, this is a nice 
device for $40:

  http://www.balticnetworks.com/ubiquiti-airview2.html

It will not only show your own signal strength, but will show if anyone is 
interfering on neighboring channels.

Whenever someone is battling with wifi power and distance, I make sure to 
remind them that it's not just the router power needed to close the distance to 
your computer, but also the computer has to put out the power needed to close 
the distance in the other direction.  So you don't just have to read the router 
signal you see at all points in the house, but you also have to read the 
received signal at the router location from the computer as you take it all 
around the house.

-- 
  Macs R We -- Personal Macintosh Service and Support
    in the Wickenburg and far Northwest Valley Areas.
                            http://macsrwe.com

_______________________________________________
MacOSX-talk mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.omnigroup.com/mailman/listinfo/macosx-talk

Reply via email to