Ask Me Help Desk - HiSpeed DSL Wireless / Best Location for Modem?

Have been going through a spat of Weak Signal in the House , if one hovers over the Modem fine.. We have a Wireless Modem for the Phone Line as well.. Our home is Matchbox Style, the main Internet Modem HiSpeed DSL is located in the Basement and the Modem for the House Phone is at the top of the Stairs on the main level by the Backyard Patio Doors.. The Printer is located beside the ISP Modem.. Would we be better to Relocate the Modem Upstairs?

The location closest to the center of the area you would use it the most. You want the signal passing though as few walls and floors as possible.

There are good signal strength apps for Android for free if you have a Android tablet or phone you can use to place the router in the best location.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothy

The location closest to the center of the area you would use it the most. You want the signal passing though as few walls and floors as possible.

There are good signal strength apps for Android for free if you have a Android tablet or phone you can use to place the router in the best location.

@ smoothy, Thanks for the Comeback... Not on top of each other but a separate wall plug and half wall between them.. Would there be Interference being say 4ft. Apart between the WiFi Home Phone modem and the ISP WiFi Modem? ��

Also, log into your wi-fi router and make sure that your signal output is at max. Sometimes it is adjustable and sometimes it isn't at max.

Are there signal strength problems if one or the other of the devices is turned off?

Using multiple WiFi devices that use the same frequency range may require configuring the devices to use different channels to avoid interference for optimal performance. Many devices default to a "strongest signal/least interference" tactic for automatic channel selection. This can result in constant channel hopping in a dynamic environment as each device searches for a better channel when interference is encountered. The 802.11b,g frequency range has three non-overlapping channels - 1, 6, and 11. If the devices use this range, one thing to try is manually configuring each device to use a different one of these channels. Or, if the devices support it, one could be configured to use a different band altogether such as 802.11n-5GHz or 802.11a.

Increasing the power may increase signal strength as long there is no interference, otherwise the interference will increase as well. To reduce interference, power can be set to the minimum necessary to provide adequate coverage for the desired area and no more, otherwise in a crowded RF environment, all the devices will be essentially screaming at max power to be heard over every other device. If they all whispered none would have the range to interfere with the others. Less power also makes unauthorized access more difficult if the signal range doesn't extend beyond the exterior walls.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scleros

Are there signal strength problems if one or the other of the devices is turned off?

Using multiple WiFi devices that use the same frequency range may require configuring the devices to use different channels to avoid interference for optimal performance. Many devices default to a "strongest signal/least interference" tactic for automatic channel selection. This can result in constant channel hopping in a dynamic environment as each device searches for a better channel when interference is encountered. The 802.11b,g frequency range has three non-overlapping channels - 1, 6, and 11. If the devices use this range, one thing to try is manually configuring each device to use a different one of these channels. Or, if the devices support it, one could be configured to use a different band altogether such as 802.11n-5GHz or 802.11a.

Increasing the power may increase signal strength as long there is no interference, otherwise the interference will increase as well. To reduce interference, power can be set to the minimum necessary to provide adequate coverage for the desired area and no more, otherwise in a crowded RF environment, all the devices will be essentially screaming at max power to be heard over every other device. If they all whispered none would have the range to interfere with the others. Less power also makes unauthorized access more difficult if the signal range doesn't extend beyond the exterior walls.

Thanks for the Comeback... We Fiddled, Faddled & Farted around with it and Discovered the Bell Modem was Whankers... Had it Changed Out and All is Good.. Cheers...

I got rid of my Bell modem years ago. So much for mucking around with bell. Now i have a different one, and wifi high speed, and it doesnt matter what the provider promises, they are all susceptible to where you have them located. My new one is located at the corner junction of a room with two outside walls. You would think that would be better, but have to reboot it every once in a while.

It is so bloody irriating when you lose your service !

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

I got rid of my Bell modem years ago. So much for mucking around with bell.

Haven't had any problems with Bell, Touch Wood.. Rural Setting here , all the other alternatives provide Internet via Satellite.. We have Unlimited HiSpeed DSL @ an affordable price, far less than Shaw or Xplornet charge monthly.. Line of Sight is an overriding factor to get a Signal, we have Bush all around us.. I'd hate to back to the Ice Age and obtain Dial Up through Netscape... lol...

I have cogeco as provider, and I pay $40 a month for wifi high speed internet. I am semi rural as well, but in a small town. I am glad you got yours settled, but I hate Bell for anything. My cell phone is through Telus, so that says a lot !