Be wary, Colin

I suspect that Netstumbler atc will be similar to inSSIDer in that the latter only responds to WiFi transmissions; but there may be other, non-WiFi transmissions on apparently "clear" Channels.

So those apparently clear Channels could in fact be the worst to attempt to use.

As has been said, only a Spectrum Analyser or similar would be able to provide the necessary information, if that is the case.

======================

Not too sure of the workings of WiFi Repeaters.

If they simply "receive and relay" the primary (router) source, could it be that those Channels have failed in that primary source; or that the swamping is close to it, preventing it using those Channels, so not being made available to to the repeaters?

I suspect an external(?) source.

This morning, I replaced the router with a new one and, in order to test it, switched all the repeaters off.

The new router would NOT work on ch3 but worked fine on a wide selection of others.

Brought the old router home with me and, guess what, it is fine on all channels.

Just have no idea as to what is going on.

FWIW, the hotel is situated very close to a harbour. Is it possible that there may be some ship borne interference that is causing the problem?

Edited by deleted (Thu 05-Jun-14 15:46:33)

Anything nearby using a Video sender? (remote cameras / security systems).
Wireless Alarms? (Car alarms use the 2.4GHz band, but some home/business wireless alarms also utilise the same band).
DECT phones don't but some foreign (US ??) wireless phones/baby monitors use the 2.4GHz band.

Wireless doorbell system? Wireless Dumb waiter ?

Ch 3 has a centre freq of 2.422GHz (2.411 to 2.433) which isn't specifically tied to any other types of equipment by design as far as I know.

Definitely in need of a spectrum analyser as most if not all the available software apps won't tell you about something that isn't meant to be there. (i.e. it won't pop up say Microwave), it will just say "nothing on Channel 3"

You don't have one of those wireless bluetooth headsets permanently on and every time you go to investigate the fault and get within 2 ft of the base station, it hops away to a different frequency...

It would drive me potty too not knowing... .

Chris

In reply to a post by colin020:

FWIW, the hotel is situated very close to a harbour. Is it possible that there may be some ship borne interference that is causing the problem?

Any way you can check if something new arrived in the harbour on Saturday and is still there?

Especially if it's sporting some odd-looking aerials, maybe.

In reply to a post by shinerweb:

(i.e. it won't pop up say Microwave)

Unless some evil-minded so-and-so has used that as their SSID� now there's a thought

Without a receiver or spectrum analyser, it is rather difficult.

One way would be to take the router around the hotel boundaries, noting any location where Channel 3 does work.

As Bill Ford has implied, it seems a fair likelihood that this would be away from the harbour

It would be a bit of a trauchle, particularly having power for the router - unless you have a 12v to 230 Volt Inverter and a car or such-like for the 12 V DC.

If you do try this route, let us know the results, either way. Could be interesting.

The Spectrum Analyser extension of inSSIDer would help; but at a cost.

If you know of any Radio Amateurs in your area, one may have a portable Spectrum Analyser.

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

it seems a fair likelihood that this would be away from the harbour

One thing occurs to me- if it is a boat and it's not UK-registered it might not be subject to our wireless rules and could be using a fair bit of power� which could explain why the routers can see nothing at all on that frequency.

Routers can usually stand a certain amount of non-network interference before they give up completely.

In reply to a post by billford:

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

it seems a fair likelihood that this would be away from the harbour

One thing occurs to me- if it is a boat and it's not UK-registered it might not be subject to our wireless rules and could be using a fair bit of power� which could explain why the routers can see nothing at all on that frequency.

Routers can usually stand a certain amount of non-network interference before they give up completely.

No, a boat/ship normally has to abide by UK rules when within territorial waters. Not easy to police but teh part of OFCOM that was teh Radio Communications Agency will come down hard on them.

In reply to a post by MHC:

Not easy to police but teh part of OFCOM that was teh Radio Communications Agency will come down hard on them.

But not until (and if) they catch 'em� still worth a check, I'd say.

It certainly is.

I used to deal with the RCA and had to call them out on a few occasions to look at interference. One of the Technicians that came lived in Lymington and said he would often run his detection equipment at home and during the summer would be paying a visit to a boat around twice a week.