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Hey Guys - Is there an industry recognised standard frequency for wireless internet transmission (from modem/router)?
Reason I ask is because I recently acquired a new wireless mouse which I duly connected to the main desktop. I subsequently noticed that the internet connection on both my laptop and the cook's desktop (which are connected wirelessly) was very slow and intermittent....even though, in both cases, Windows was telling me I had a strong connection.
After much fiddling about and head scratching I realised the only recent change was the wireless mouse. Sure enough after removing the USB transmitter for that device the internet connection on the two machines was perfect again.
So, if there is indeed a recognised standard frequency for wireless internet then why on earth would manufacturers of other wireless devices be silly enough to use a similar frequency?
Second part of the question is this: If there is no such standard and the wireless internet frequency is changeable/adjustable, how would one go about changing it? I assume there would be some sort of options within the modem/router configuration settings??
Cheers.....JIM
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Wireless frequencies for internet are in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. Your wireless mouse Is a radio frequency device that probably operates in the 2.4 GHz band as a 802.11b or 802.11g device. That's a pretty stable frequncy and I can't imagine just how it would affect the router. You could try changing the router channel to 1,6, 11 or 12. You might also try to put some distance between the mouse and the router, if that's possible.
I sometimes use a Logitech 6000 Laser Mouse, but never noticed any slow down with the lappy. For desktops, I just use the cheapest corded wheel mice I can find. Buy two or three when I get low.
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Hey Ron - Thanks for the reply.
The mouse is definitely using the 2.4Ghz frequency so if the modem/router is using the same, there ya go....bingo!
I can quite understand how the signal from the USB sender (for the mouse) would be interfering with the signal for the wireless internet if they are both using the same frequency...that part makes perfect sense to me.
[i:3lkdhucx]"Try changing the router channel to 1, 6, 11 or 12"[/i:3lkdhucx]??? Sorry mate, that does not compute. Would one do that via settings in the configuration menu?
Thanks again,
JIM
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Let's not forget bluetooth, microwave overs, other routers, and a host of other unlicensed devices that operate in the 2.4GHz range. It's a tough world out there!
OldElmerFudd is right on. Even though another device may not be transmitting on the exact frequency as your router it may be close enough to cause a problem. The closer (with exceptions i.e. harmonics) the frequency and/or the closer the devices the worse the problem will be.
Your best bet is to try different channels on the router. It's probably on 6, so trying one or the other end of the spectrum (1 or 11) will probably provide the easiest fix.
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Hey Dave - First off, Oldelmerfudd said...[i:1kaubdss]"That's a pretty stable frequncy and I can't imagine just how it would affect the router."[/i:1kaubdss]. I completely disagree with that, if the mouse is transmitting at the same frequency, or very close to it, it is bound to cause some interference. So, how is that 'right on'?
HELLOOOOOOOOO out there, is anybody listening??? I am hearing you on the changing channels on the router thingee but, I ask again, [i:1kaubdss][b:1kaubdss]how would one go about that[/b:1kaubdss][/i:1kaubdss]?????????????
LOL
JIM
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Well the dongle is pretty close to the wifi. An RF (radio frequency) signal that is close another receiver can overload the front end of the receiver. Basically confusing the receiver and making it hard for the receiver to "hear" the correct signal. Think of it like being in a very crowded room and trying to hold a conversation with one person - it is hard to understand that one person over the crowd noise.
Changing the router channel is usually a simple checkbox or dropdown in the router config menu. Usually accessed by pointing your browser to 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, but it depends on the router as will the specific page in the router config.
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Yep, no worries...thanks mate, that's all I needed to know. I know how to access the router configuration settings so now I shall go and have a bo peep for that option.
Thanks again,
Cheers.....JIM
UPDATE: (several minutes later)
Yep, found the setting OK. You were right again Dave (or is that still...LOL), t'was set to channel 6. Changed it to 11 so I'll see how that goes.
Thanks again,
JIM
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[quote="OldElmerFudd":244ptls1]You could try changing the router channel to 1,6, 11 or 12. You might also try to put some distance between the mouse and the router, if that's possible.[/quote:244ptls1]
Jim, what I meant was Ron was spot on with his advice. This advice is especially useful for those who live in apartment buildings or complexes and densely populated neighborhoods. Often there will be several (many) routers operating close together, and (unfortunately) the default channel seems to be 6. This can cause connections and throughput problems. A simple change of channel can make a world of difference!
In our next lesson we'll discuss third party router firmware that allows additional channels, 2 to 3 times the transmit power, and other undocumented features. Not really. Just kidding.
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