Inssider will do it on it's own.

I have used (Free) inSSIDer for several years now, both Version 2 and Version 3 (the latter to a lesser degree).

Both versions only show working WiFi channels - they do NOT do the Spectrum Analysis required for NON-WiFi Transmissions.

My understanding from the metageek site, is that WiSpy H/W and S/W adds the Spectrum Analysis ability, showing all signals and noise occurring in the WiFi band.

From the metageek site-

http://www.metageek.net/products/wi-spy/
"
Wi-Fi uses the same frequencies as wireless consumer electronics.
In its most basic form, Wi-Fi is radio waves that travel in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands. When two devices transmit simultaneously, their waves cancel each other out. These collisions are undetected by Wi-Fi cards, but the resulting network slowness or complete loss of connectivity is painfully obvious to humans.
"

Very interesting. However, if you look at the subject and refer to the original post, what he wants to do is " I would like to be able to see what other channels are in use near me." and Inssider does that.

Can anyone here tell me if NetStumbler or inSSIDer need a dedicated Wi-Fi card in order to be able to use.
Or will these apps be able to use my Technicolor TG584n router as the Wireless adapter.

I tried to use inSSIDer before but no adapter was found problem. I'm on Windows 8 based machine.

Edited by majika2007 (Mon 01-Jul-13 13:56:25)

inSSIDer will use the wireless adapter in your PC - if you do not have one it will not work.

Inssider finds my Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN card, but Netstumbler doesn't.

Evening Batboy

Although the OP did not mention other problem sources; ukhardy07 did introduce such aspects in his-
"
Scenario B
A router, 3 cordless doorbells, a wireless tv sender, a baby monitor and a few wireless keyboards all on the same channel - this is mayhem
"
As stated by others, these can all cause interference - BUT are not identified by inSSIDer in any manner, although inSSIDer and the PC WiFi Rx may be adversely affected; nor if narrow the location of the interfering signal/s or noise within the WiFi spectrum.

So using inSSIDer alone, he may be moving his router to a channel which is APPARENTLY clear; but is actually saturated with non-WiFi noise.

Hence the need for a Spectrum Analyser - which I fully acknowledge is an expensive solution; and may NOT necessarily provide a solution, as the interfering sources are likely to be spread widely over the "WiFi" band.

I'm sure you will agree that generally there is no easy, simple solution in domestic situations, other than resorting to Ethernet cable, there-by defeating the object of having WiFi; or allowing the Router to "Auto-change" the WiFi channel/s in the hope that it can find a suitable channel.

No, I find it easy to use Inssider to find an uncongested channel and set the router to that. Works for me, which is why I recommended it to the OP.

By the time one has gone to the effort of a spectrum analyser it would be easier to set channel to 1, do a speedtest (file transfer between wireless laptop and a PC plugged into GigE) on a laptop in various points in the house, set to channel 6, do the same again, and finally channel 11.

In reply to a post by deniscampbell:

sudo iwlist eth1 scan

returns:
Interface doesn't support scanning

i assume eth1 is your wireless card or you changed it accordingly ?

iwconfig will list interfaces with wireless extensions