Re: Poor Airport reception
Local area networking via ethernet issues can be solved using Netgear senders working through house wiring to connect to the router without using airport or the router's wireless connection. Each sender as I call it is a NETGEAR Powerline AV+ 200 Adapter that has standard 3 prong electrical outlet and an Ethernet port. I use them in two houses & it works great. I'm typing from my living room using it. A first sender is plugged into an electric outlet in my office bedroom where Charter cable brings in the internet through a modem to a Netgear router into which I have a LaserWriter 16/600 and other devices connected by internet cable to the router. That first sender is simply connected by ethernet cable to the router like the printer and other devices. A second sender is plugged into a living room electrical outlet and is connected through an Ethernet cable to my laptop. A third sender is plugged into a second bedroom office for my wife and is connected to an Ethernet switch into which I have two computers and a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) telephone each connected by an Ethernet cable to the switch. Thus using the house wiring each computer and other device is either connected directly to the router or through two NETGEAR Powerline AV+ 200 Adapter senders to the router. Thus each computer is connected to the internet and can use the LaserWriter 16/600 printer and if desired can connect to each other computer. Additional senders can be plugged into outlets elsewhere and connected by ethernet cable to other computers throughout the building. Then using the house wiring each computer sees the router and other devices connected to the router. The base kit NETGEAR Powerline AV+ 200 Adapter Kit XAVB2501 has two senders, but I buy extras when I buy the base kit through Amazon. It is all simple plug and play. Mike Bauchan On Oct 7, 2011, at 5:38 AM, Kris Tilford wrote: On Oct 6, 2011, at 5:23 PM, faithie999 wrote: i believe the airport extreme built-in antenna is designed in a way that results in excellent signal transmission UPWARDS but not so good DOWNWARDS. can you put the extreme on the first floor? If the antenna is directional it would be easier to flip the Airport unit upside-down than to move it to the first floor. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
On Oct 6, 2011, at 5:23 PM, faithie999 wrote: i believe the airport extreme built-in antenna is designed in a way that results in excellent signal transmission UPWARDS but not so good DOWNWARDS. can you put the extreme on the first floor? If the antenna is directional it would be easier to flip the Airport unit upside-down than to move it to the first floor. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
Thought about that, but the ethernet cable connecting the modem to the router ends on the second floor and is fixed (through walls and stuff) because we used to only have 1 computer connected directly to the modem (imagine that!). I'll try and test it, though, to see if it is the problem. If so, I can try to see if I can mount is downstairs somewhere. @Charles: I've tried your solution but reception improved marginally (certainly not full reception) with either attempt. Thank you though for helping! Greetings, Eelco. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
i believe the airport extreme built-in antenna is designed in a way that results in excellent signal transmission UPWARDS but not so good DOWNWARDS. can you put the extreme on the first floor? ken On Sep 19, 4:48 am, QuoVadis wrote: > Hi all! > > I've recently acquired an Airport card to fit inside my G4 QS (the > 2002 model). It works fine, meaning it connects to the Extreme base > station and gets me on the internet. > > The problem is the reception: I have my Airport Extreme base station > set up on the second of 3 floors. My eMac on the third floor has full > reception (meaning all the bars on the Airport-icon in the taskbar are > lit) while the G4 has only one or two bars lit (mostly two). > Furthermore, network transfers are slow (maximum download speed is > around 300k/s and copying 500MB takes about half an hour). I realize > that the card is in fact an 11mBit card, but it should (theoretically) > reach close to 1.1 MB/s. > > I've checked the antenna so far, which is connected properly. Only > thing I can try is to see if my G4 GE has the same problem when I swap > the Airport card. Maybe the antenna has fractured internally (I hope > not). > > The G4 is placed adjecent to an amplifier, CD player, AM/FM tuner and > turntable. A LCD TV is also closeby (being the monitor for the G4) as > is a 1/4" tape recorder. Just mentioning it, because it's a lot of > steel/aluminium and electriciy to interfere with the signal. > > Does anyone have a suggestion? > > Greetings, > > Eelco. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
A grounded outlet made no difference. I've read about ethernet via powerlines, but I'm not sure on how it works exactly. Do I need a free ethernetport on the router? Or is it like a wireless repeater? Greetings, Eelco. As a test take a 10 ft (or 1 meter) of wire and wrap 2 - 3 inches (7 - 8 cm) of an end around each antenna and temp attach to wall (tacks, push pins). Try with more wraps if needed. I don't think metal to metal needed but might be worth testing also. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
A grounded outlet made no difference. I've read about ethernet via powerlines, but I'm not sure on how it works exactly. Do I need a free ethernetport on the router? Or is it like a wireless repeater? Greetings, Eelco. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
It keeps getting better and better.. I've swapped the antenna, from a spare G4 Yikes I have. Placed the QS in the same spot: still only one bar in the Airport icon. Placed the QS in another spot: still only one bar. Placed it upstairs, right next to the Extreme Base: one bar all the way. It appears that the location of the G4 is of no influence. I do, however, experience noise on the onboard audio output when I turn the amplifier up a decent degree. The noise alters when disk and CPU are accessed. I know this problem exists in it's successor, the MDD. Could the poor reception be related to a poor ground? I'll try to get it to work off a grounded outlet (our house was built in 1970, with ditto electrics, so ungrounded all the way). If someone, in the meantime, has a surge of good ideas: they're still very welcome! Greetings, Eelco. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
Thanks everyone, for all suggestions! I've just replaced the G4 QS with my G4 GE, moving the Airportcard with it. I get full reception on this machine, positioned in the exact same place as the G4 QS would be. I think I'm going to try and swap the antenna of the QS to see if it makes any difference. I will post the results here, of course! -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
9/30/11 3:15 PM EDT Hi Group. This ethernet issue can be solved using Netgear equipment working through house wiring. I've had it set up in two houses & it works great. One sender is plugged into the living room connected through Ethernet to my laptop. The other sender is plugged in near the router and connected by ethernet to the router. Additional senders can be plugged in elsewhere and connected by ethernet to other devices. Then using the house wiring each unit sees the router and other devices connected to the router as well as other devices through the house wiring. The base kit NETGEAR Powerline AV+ 200 Adapter Kit XAVB2501 has two senders, but I buy extras NETGEAR XAV2501 Powerline AV+ 200 Adapter when I buy the base kit through Amazon. It is simple plug and play. Thus I don't use wireless. I'm typing in the living room now and connected to the internet through the ethernet connections and can print anything from here on my LaserWriter 16/600 in the office connected to the router. Try it. You will like it. Mike Bauchan On Sep 30, 2011, at 10:43 AM, Bruce Johnson wrote: On Sep 30, 2011, at 12:21 AM, QuoVadis wrote: @Dan: If only I could get an Ethernet cable to the G4.. I've thought about it, but it means drilling through three walls and the floor. I don't know about houses in the US, but here in the Netherlands drilling through the floor means drilling through almost a foot of concrete.. A foot of concrete, cris-crossed with mesh and rebar makes for a dandy RF shield, if it's grounded. Plumbing piping going through the floor often makes electrical contact with the reinforcing grid, and household grounds are often attached to the plumbing pipes. If electrical conduit is used it'd definitely grounded. Try moving the G4 to different spots in the floor, you may have to live with it in a different place. A professor here had a weird 'dead zone' in her house with her Airport setup….moving her computer 4 foot to one side or the other made for much better reception. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
On Sep 30, 2011, at 7:43 AM, Bruce Johnson wrote: > On Sep 30, 2011, at 12:21 AM, QuoVadis wrote: > >> @Dan: If only I could get an Ethernet cable to the G4.. I've thought >> about it, but it means drilling through three walls and the floor. I >> don't know about houses in the US, but here in the Netherlands >> drilling through the floor means drilling through almost a foot of >> concrete.. > > A foot of concrete, cris-crossed with mesh and rebar makes for a dandy RF > shield, if it's grounded. Plumbing piping going through the floor often makes > electrical contact with the reinforcing grid, and household grounds are often > attached to the plumbing pipes. If electrical conduit is used it'd definitely > grounded. It doesn't have to be grounded, it will still make for a nice RF shield. > > Try moving the G4 to different spots in the floor, you may have to live with > it in a different place. A professor here had a weird 'dead zone' in her > house with her Airport setup….moving her computer 4 foot to one side or the > other made for much better reception. Good point, if the OP uses an 802.11g dongle they can put it on an extension cable and move it around to see where the best signal strength is (also turn the dongle itself around for best reception. > Clark Martin Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting "I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway" -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
On Sep 30, 2011, at 12:21 AM, QuoVadis wrote: > > I have one of those 802.11g dongles, but the problem is that it > connects via USB 1.1. So any advances in speed I do have are cancelled > out by the slow USB port. Not if poor reception is limiting the 802.11b speed. You should be able to get the full 12 MBps speed, more or less. You should be able to get as much speed as with 802.11b under the best of conditions. Clark Martin Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting "I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway" -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
On Sep 30, 2011, at 10:43 AM, Bruce Johnson wrote: On Sep 30, 2011, at 12:21 AM, QuoVadis wrote: @Dan: If only I could get an Ethernet cable to the G4.. I've thought about it, but it means drilling through three walls and the floor. I don't know about houses in the US, but here in the Netherlands drilling through the floor means drilling through almost a foot of concrete.. A foot of concrete, cris-crossed with mesh and rebar makes for a dandy RF shield, if it's grounded. Plumbing piping going through the floor often makes electrical contact with the reinforcing grid, and household grounds are often attached to the plumbing pipes. If electrical conduit is used it'd definitely grounded. Try moving the G4 to different spots in the floor, you may have to live with it in a different place. A professor here had a weird 'dead zone' in her house with her Airport setup….moving her computer 4 foot to one side or the other made for much better reception. I had TERRIBLE wireless going to my Mac at home. Only 20 feet, but about the only way I could set everything up meant the signal was going through the plumbing/ HVAC stack. I went back to using ethernet over powerline. Full bandwidth that I get from Comcast comes through over the home electrical lines. Great solution with one main drawback. You are supposed to plug them straight into outlets, not into a surge protector. One VERY close lightning strike and I had to replace them due to them being blown out by the surge. No, I do not have a whole house surge protector. Len -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
On Sep 30, 2011, at 12:21 AM, QuoVadis wrote: > @Dan: If only I could get an Ethernet cable to the G4.. I've thought > about it, but it means drilling through three walls and the floor. I > don't know about houses in the US, but here in the Netherlands > drilling through the floor means drilling through almost a foot of > concrete.. A foot of concrete, cris-crossed with mesh and rebar makes for a dandy RF shield, if it's grounded. Plumbing piping going through the floor often makes electrical contact with the reinforcing grid, and household grounds are often attached to the plumbing pipes. If electrical conduit is used it'd definitely grounded. Try moving the G4 to different spots in the floor, you may have to live with it in a different place. A professor here had a weird 'dead zone' in her house with her Airport setup….moving her computer 4 foot to one side or the other made for much better reception. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
On Sep 30, 2011, at 2:21 AM, QuoVadis wrote: I have one of those 802.11g dongles, but the problem is that it connects via USB 1.1. So any advances in speed I do have are cancelled out by the slow USB port. A USB 2 PCI card would be a good investment for an old QS because you'll get the higher speed on everything else, such as external HDs, attached printers, etc. I'd get the card and try the 802.11g USB dongle. There are plenty of cheap cards on eBay, or ask on the LEM-Swap list with a WTB. I bet you could sell the 802.11b Airport card and buy the USB 2 PCI card and make a profit? -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
Hello everyone. Thank you for the suggestions so far! I notice now that I forgot to mention that the QS itself is on the first floor. So the setup is: Third floor: eMac @ full reception Second floor: Airport base First floor: G4 QS. I've checked the antenna again, but it is connected and only goes in one way. I'll try to disconnect it to see if it makes any difference (thereby discarding the antenna as a possible problem). I'll also fit the card to my G4 Yikes, to see if that gives me the same results. Any results I will post here. I have one of those 802.11g dongles, but the problem is that it connects via USB 1.1. So any advances in speed I do have are cancelled out by the slow USB port. @Dan: If only I could get an Ethernet cable to the G4.. I've thought about it, but it means drilling through three walls and the floor. I don't know about houses in the US, but here in the Netherlands drilling through the floor means drilling through almost a foot of concrete.. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
On Sep 29, 2011, at 7:09 PM, Dan wrote: > At 1:48 AM -0700 9/19/2011, QuoVadis wrote: >> Airport card to fit inside my G4 QS (2002 model). >> >> The problem is the reception: [WAP far away on another floor and electronics >> gear nearby] > > It's worth trying the airport card elsewhere, as you describe... > > But, fwiw, 802.11 is pretty much a "one wall" wi-fi solution. That you're > getting 300 Kbps on the QS, given you description of floors + all the gear > interfering, is pretty good. > > Try shutting down the gear and turn off any flourescent lights. See if that > makes a diff. > > Perhaps a repeater might help... Set up another WAP positioned half way, to > bridge the connection. > > Or you could replace the Airport base with a higher powered / office-grade > WAP. A cheaper and simpler solution would be to get a USB 802.11g or better still, an 802.11n dongle. The software is a pain in the rear but once you get it up and running on a desktop machine it shouldn't matter. g and n each improved the distance the signal carries. > > Or go wired. > > ...We have about the same situation here. Tried bridging, but the housemates > gave up on wi-fi anyway. Even with a clear shot to the WAP, nothing beats a > hardwire to a gigaswitch. Clark Martin Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting "I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway" -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Poor Airport reception
At 1:48 AM -0700 9/19/2011, QuoVadis wrote: Airport card to fit inside my G4 QS (2002 model). The problem is the reception: [WAP far away on another floor and electronics gear nearby] It's worth trying the airport card elsewhere, as you describe... But, fwiw, 802.11 is pretty much a "one wall" wi-fi solution. That you're getting 300 Kbps on the QS, given you description of floors + all the gear interfering, is pretty good. Try shutting down the gear and turn off any flourescent lights. See if that makes a diff. Perhaps a repeater might help... Set up another WAP positioned half way, to bridge the connection. Or you could replace the Airport base with a higher powered / office-grade WAP. Or go wired. ...We have about the same situation here. Tried bridging, but the housemates gave up on wi-fi anyway. Even with a clear shot to the WAP, nothing beats a hardwire to a gigaswitch. - Dan. -- - Psychoceramic Emeritus; South Jersey, USA, Earth. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Poor Airport reception
Hi all! I've recently acquired an Airport card to fit inside my G4 QS (the 2002 model). It works fine, meaning it connects to the Extreme base station and gets me on the internet. The problem is the reception: I have my Airport Extreme base station set up on the second of 3 floors. My eMac on the third floor has full reception (meaning all the bars on the Airport-icon in the taskbar are lit) while the G4 has only one or two bars lit (mostly two). Furthermore, network transfers are slow (maximum download speed is around 300k/s and copying 500MB takes about half an hour). I realize that the card is in fact an 11mBit card, but it should (theoretically) reach close to 1.1 MB/s. I've checked the antenna so far, which is connected properly. Only thing I can try is to see if my G4 GE has the same problem when I swap the Airport card. Maybe the antenna has fractured internally (I hope not). The G4 is placed adjecent to an amplifier, CD player, AM/FM tuner and turntable. A LCD TV is also closeby (being the monitor for the G4) as is a 1/4" tape recorder. Just mentioning it, because it's a lot of steel/aluminium and electriciy to interfere with the signal. Does anyone have a suggestion? Greetings, Eelco. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
