Wifi Guide

Typically, a Wi-Fi network is most viable within about 150 feet from the access point. The actual range that you experience between your computer and the wireless cable modem can vary depending on the construction of your home or apartment. Appliances such microwaves, baby monitors, and other wireless devices such as 2.4 GHz cordless phones can affect your wireless signal’s range.

2.4GHz band is currently the most popular, meaning, it’s used by most existing network devices. That plus the fact that home appliances, such as cordless phones, microwaves, baby monitors  also use this band.

Wi-Fi signals are capable of passing through walls and other obstacles relatively easily. However, in reality, some walls are thicker or use reinforced concrete and may block some of the signals. Materials such as drywall, plywood, other kinds of wood and glass can be easily penetrated by wireless signals. However, materials such as brick, plaster, cement, metal, stone, and double-glazed glass may cause problems. The following facts should therefore be kept in mind:

1. Metal bodies absorb Wi-Fi signals. Therefore, wireless surveillance solutions do not guarantee connectivity between floors of buildings and between thick reinforced concrete walls
2. If the walls are made of non-porous materials, your wireless connection may have a shorter range or a slower speed
3. Tinted glass panes carry metal constituents. So if you have tinted glasses anywhere between WAP and the computer, you can expect a drop in signal strength.

What might interfere with my wireless connection?

Answer: Cordless phones, microwave ovens and metal located near your wireless router can all have high interference potential on your WiFi signal.

If you suspect that your cordless phone might be interfering with your network signal, change the location of the cordless phone base to maximize the distance between the phone base and the router. If that does not resolve your problem, you also could consider buying a different cordless phone that uses the 5.8 GHz or 900 megahertz (MHz) frequencies.

Locating Your Router to Limit Interference

Keep these steps in mind when choosing a location for your router:

1. Position your wireless router in a central location in your home.
2. Keep your router away from microwave ovens
3. For multistory buildings such as apartment dwellings, positioning the router’s antenna at 45 degrees (diagonally relative to the floor) or 0 degrees (parallel to the floor) may be most effective.
4. Place your router away from various electromagnetic noise sources, especially those in the 2400 to 2500 MHz frequency band. Computers and fax machines are common noise-creating sources;  therefore, wireless equipment should be no closer than 12 inches to these devices.
5. Try not to place the WAP near sources of heat or under the sun