signal strength questions

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

I have a wireless LAN comprising of a DLink 614 wireless router and a laptop with a Gigafast card. I have noticed that the signal strength on reception to my laptop varies from very low to very good at different times. (the laptop in the exact same location)
Is this normal?
Can the signal strength vary at different times or does it normally remain constant?
Does the sensitivity of wireless cards vary?
In a practical sense how does the signal strength affect the transfer of information?

In other words is there any real discernable difference from a poor and a very good signal in the transfer rate from the router to the laptop?


Thanks for your help.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

"mouln" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:33100184-FECF-4320-A4D6-14B72A460B68@microsoft.com...
> I have a wireless LAN comprising of a DLink 614 wireless router and a
laptop with a Gigafast card. I have noticed that the signal strength on
reception to my laptop varies from very low to very good at different times.
(the laptop in the exact same location)
> Is this normal?
> Can the signal strength vary at different times or does it normally remain
constant?
> Does the sensitivity of wireless cards vary?
> In a practical sense how does the signal strength affect the transfer of
information?

Yes, it is normal. Interference might cause these variances. For example,
the office upstairs might have 2.4GHz phones that cause interference and
cause your signal to drop. Or worse yet, a microwave oven might be in use.

The 2.4 GHz sprectrum is unlicensed and available for a wide number of
products and you can get interference from any number of these products.

> In other words is there any real discernable difference from a poor and a
very good signal in the transfer rate from the router to the laptop?

Yes, there is. A poor signal will mean a slower connection.

 

[DJ]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

> Yes, it is normal. Interference might cause these variances. For example,
> the office upstairs might have 2.4GHz phones that cause interference and
> cause your signal to drop. Or worse yet, a microwave oven might be in use.
>
> The 2.4 GHz sprectrum is unlicensed and available for a wide number of
> products and you can get interference from any number of these products.
>
> > In other words is there any real discernable difference from a poor and
a
> very good signal in the transfer rate from the router to the laptop?
>
> Yes, there is. A poor signal will mean a slower connection.
>
I have had such slow and troublesome connection for days. Only on the
wireless pcs on our network. Had the day off today and found my connection
to be PERFECT all day! I was thrilled because I thought finally my problem
had resolved itself. Until an hour ago. Just like the same time yesterday
and the day before. It's reaaaaaally bad. And then I just found your reply.
It must be the case. I feel better now, well that there's a reason anyway.
But got to find a way to work round it coz it's driving me nuts.
Do they sell longer antennas and would that help?
J

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

"DJ" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:e0lVf4IKEHA.1040@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>
> > Yes, it is normal. Interference might cause these variances. For
example,
> > the office upstairs might have 2.4GHz phones that cause interference and
> > cause your signal to drop. Or worse yet, a microwave oven might be in
use.
> >
> > The 2.4 GHz sprectrum is unlicensed and available for a wide number of
> > products and you can get interference from any number of these products.
> >
> > > In other words is there any real discernable difference from a poor
and
> a
> > very good signal in the transfer rate from the router to the laptop?
> >
> > Yes, there is. A poor signal will mean a slower connection.
> >
> I have had such slow and troublesome connection for days. Only on the
> wireless pcs on our network. Had the day off today and found my connection
> to be PERFECT all day! I was thrilled because I thought finally my problem
> had resolved itself. Until an hour ago. Just like the same time yesterday
> and the day before. It's reaaaaaally bad. And then I just found your
reply.
> It must be the case. I feel better now, well that there's a reason anyway.
> But got to find a way to work round it coz it's driving me nuts.
> Do they sell longer antennas and would that help?

sure, there are many companies that sell omni directional and directional
antennas, there are even web sites on building your own antennas