802.11a distance problems

[thegrouch187]

ok i just got a netgear 802.11a access point the HE102 and it works fine but the only problem is the range which should be at minimum 60 ft and i cant get even like 35-40 i think it could be because of my massive amount of audio equipment in my room suking up the whole signal to the rest of the house but im not sure cus i dont want to have to move it all if there is a better solution does anyone have this problem and i know that 802.11b has a greater range but i got 802.11a cus of my phones. thanks

[Fink]

welcome to the wonderful world of wireless.

30-40 feet sounds about right. It probably passes through a couple of walls, right?

Your audio equipment may be interfering, but unless you have a ton of it and it is very 'noisy' in a radio sense, then it is probably not the culprit. However, if you have a 2.4 GHz telephone in the house, get rid of it, it will cut 802.11 range.

Want more range; (1) relocate the AP to somewhere high in the house, (2) relocate the AP such that there are fewer walls, waterheaters, furnaces, AC units, kitchen appliences between the AP and the client, (3) put on an aftermarket antenna either on the client or the AP, (4) go back to a wired network.

Sorry, there are no simple solutions to 802.11 problems. might find more answers at www.practicallynetworked.com.

[LandShark]

well, 35~40 feets actually isn't bad at all w/ the stock antenna!!! NEVER believe what the manufactor said!!!

also, 802.11a operate at 5Ghz+. so, ur cordless phone, mircowave, stereo won't degrade the singal. it's mainly walls & ceciling, and stuffs like that. 'cos it doesn't go through them as good as 802.11b!

[Vfrjim1]

Please, My 802.11b runs at 100% signal at 150+ ft through 2 building walls, some manufacturers just can't cut it, IMO.

BTW, I use the Orinoco WAP with a Orinoco USB SIlver client product and share my cable modem with my sister Next door with NO extra antennas, just used a longer USB cable so I could position it so the signal can be the best it can. What you can try is to move the Access Point in different locations(usually the higher the better and AWAY from other electronic devices)

Good Luck!

[AMD'er]

Consider getting a better Wireless Card. I have a Linksys wireless AP and a Linksys wireless card for the downstairs PC. No prob on the signal strength. I could change the location of my AP, to see if I could get a better signal but its strong enough.

For my lap top I'm going to purchase the Orinoco Gold wireless card. They are pretty good if not the best.

[Fink]

Originally posted by LandShark
well, 35~40 feets actually isn't bad at all w/ the stock antenna!!! NEVER believe what the manufactor said!!!

also, 802.11a operate at 5Ghz+. so, ur cordless phone, mircowave, stereo won't degrade the singal. it's mainly walls & ceciling, and stuffs like that. 'cos it doesn't go through them as good as 802.11b!

I stand corrected! forgot that 802.11a runs in the 5 Ghz band --ouch!

As to range, it is still probably best to try to relocate the unit to imporve range.

Sorry for the bunk info.

[thegrouch187]

Originally posted by Vfrjim1
Please, My 802.11b runs at 100% signal at 150+ ft through 2 building walls, some manufacturers just can't cut it, IMO.


im talking about 802.11a not b cus we have too much 2.4 ghz appliances to even consider b