Channel for ac wireless?

I am now using my new ac card to connect to the BT HH5. I'm letting the HH choose the channel but I'd like to know if there are any networks nearby using the 5GHz ac channels so I can choose one not being used. Does channel choice have much effect on ac wireless as opposed to standard 5GHz networks? Any suggestions for a free program to detect such networks and show the channels?

I suggest Acrylic WiFi, https://www.acrylicwifi.com/en/

I used to suggest inSSIDer, but it is more difficult to find the free version now.

Geoff

Regarding inSSIDer, look for Vesion 2.1

Eg

http://inssider.en.softonic.com/

Does channel choice have much effect on ac wireless as opposed to standard 5GHz networks?

Doesn't it really depend on how much bandwidth you ask for your selected channel? ie 20MHz vs 40MHz vs 80MHz

With 20MHz bandwidth, you get channel 36, 40, 44, 48 on cheap consumer kit (ie does no automatic radar detection); all other channels require the radar detection, so tend not to be quite so readily available.

With 40MHz, you can end up using 36+40 together or 44+48 together.

Wireless N offers the ability to use 20MHz and 40MHz channels.

The difference that "AC" routers bring to the party is that they allow 80MHz channels - which use all 4 channels to bring those heady speeds (433Mbps with 1 stream, or 1300Mbps with 3 streams). I guess you need all 4 to be free, and to specify an 80MHz channel.

Any suggestions for a free program to detect such networks and show the channels?

Do you have an android phone capable of 5GHz? If so, you can use the "WiFi Analyzer" app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fa...

Post deleted by Apprentice

Just downloaded Acrylic.

It gives more information than inSSIDer 2.1

Thanks for the link.

Ooo! Must try. I don't like insider since it was revamped a year or so ago - just use it when I need to because I didn't know of anything else.

I found Acrylic from a helpful post on the PlusNet form a couple of months ago or so. I don't use it much, but very good when needed.

Agreed here - it does indeed look pretty good - especially the extra table of data.