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57 2.4ghz networks.... need advice moving to 5ghz?

L

LxMxFxD4

Senior member
As the title suggests, inSSIDer shows 57 2.4ghz networks seen from my bedroom 🙁 No wonder my wireless in my apt sucks! I moved my network to the channel with the least # of networks, but due to channel overlap I still see disconnects, etc.. although MUCH less now.

At any rate - I have a few questions about moving to 5ghz

a) When I click on the "5ghz networks" tab in inSSIDer, it shows nothing. Either this is great news OR my wifi controller in my laptop doesn't work at 5ghz? Do you need a special adapter for 5ghz networking, besides the 5ghz router?

b) My router (dgl-4300 gaming router) is only about 15' from my laptop in my apt "most of the time". However in the bedroom it has to go thru 2 walls. I know 5ghz has reduced range, but since this distance is so short, will this pose a problem for 5ghz?

I mostly post this here instead of spending lots of time googling because I was hoping to find someone who had a similar situation as this (57 friggin wifi networks in my area!!!) and resolved it by going to 5ghz.. or found another solution.

Also, any recs on a 5ghz router, if thats the ticket, would be quite helpful. Thanks in advance!
 
You'll need a 5Ghz card and antennas in your laptop along with a router with 5Ghz. The walls won't be a concern. It will be MUCH faster and highly stable because of all that noise in the almost useless now 2.4Ghz spectrum.
 
spidey07 said:
You'll need a 5Ghz card and antennas in your laptop along with a router with 5Ghz. The walls won't be a concern. It will be MUCH faster and highly stable because of all that noise in the almost useless now 2.4Ghz spectrum.
Click to expand...

Damn it, I was hoping I wouldn't have to buy a 5ghz adapter but I was kinda sure it was necessary.

Yes, its "insane" that I can see seriously 57 networks. What the eff, my building only has 24 apts. Who knows, I guess its picking up ones from across the lot.

For now I got this channel "stable" and able to stream 720p youtube vids and 720p mkv files. Hopefully it stays.
 
If you are reluctant to buy a new adapter and don't mind tinkering, you might want to experiment with using tinfoil or metal sheeting to block out unwanted signals from the antennas of your adapter, router, or both.

The intended purpose is to convert an omnidirectional antenna into a directional one. To minimize interference from your neighbors, you might want to try adding extra shielding to all sides of the antenna except in the direction you want the signal to travel.

GPFqB.jpg
 
Last edited:
gsaldivar said:
If you are reluctant to buying a new adapter and don't mind tinkering, you might want to experiment with using tinfoil or metal sheeting to block out unwanted signals from the antennas of your adapter, router, or both.

The intended purpose is to convert an omnidirectional antenna into a directional one. To minimize interference from your neighbors, you might want to try adding extra shielding to all sides of the antenna except in the direction you want the signal to travel.

GPFqB.jpg
Click to expand...

Hmm, this seems fairly interesting. I do basically only send the signal in one direction and im sure when I turn on my phone's wifi it'd still get a signal in other parts of my apartment. Any website or anything suggesting best materials to use with a 2.4ghz signal, etc?
 
LxMxFxD4 said:
Hmm, this seems fairly interesting. I do basically only send the signal in one direction and im sure when I turn on my phone's wifi it'd still get a signal in other parts of my apartment. Any website or anything suggesting best materials to use with a 2.4ghz signal, etc?
Click to expand...

Any flat metal you have handy should work. Thicker and smoother is better, cardboard wrapped with tinfoil should work well also.

Most of the stuff you find on the web will be people trying to get better directional range by forming a curved reflector behind the omni antenna. I suspect range is not a problem for you, interference is.

So, I would suggest putting the router and/or adapter in metal box, and remove one side only - the side that faces toward the other device. This won't increase your range, but there should be a measurable reduction in the amount of interfering signals picked up from other radios in your area.
 
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