Reception Differences from machine to machine.

1 Sep 2006 2:11 AM

Vince

Hello:

I work for a place that has outside wireless system. This is commercial
class. There are many trees so we have a very hard time transmitting the
signal due to all of the interference of the trees.

However I would like to explain to the users why one machine can pick up the
signal and another can not.

I have actually test in one senerio where a wireless network was put in one
laptop and it got a great signal and then the same card was used in a
different laptop with the same os but could not pick up a signal with the
card.

It seems strange to me that the same card in different machines had
different results. This was a standard pc card. I would appreciate if anyone
could explain this and also why some computers with standard cards do better
than others.

I have been recommending that all users install a highgain usb wireless
card.

Thanks

1 Sep 2006 2:26 PM

Pavel A.

"Vince" <noneh***@newsgroupname.com> wrote in message news:%23Sm3jwWzGHA.2636@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hello:
>
> I work for a place that has outside wireless system. This is commercial class. There are many trees so we have a very hard
> time transmitting the signal due to all of the interference of the trees.
>
> However I would like to explain to the users why one machine can pick up the signal and another can not.
>
> I have actually test in one senerio where a wireless network was put in one laptop and it got a great signal and then the same
> card was used in a different laptop with the same os but could not pick up a signal with the card.
>
> It seems strange to me that the same card in different machines had different results. This was a standard pc card. I would
> appreciate if anyone could explain this and also why some computers with standard cards do better than others.

Yes, this is one of the biggest problems with wireless. The signal
depends on lot of things and can be affected by lot of yet other
things. This can be investigated with professional tools, but
to keep the hardware cheap, vendors put only very basic diagnostic
capabilities on the device.

> I have been recommending that all users install a highgain usb wireless card.

May be you will have more luck with other card, or their tech support may
be more helpful... it's hard to tell :(

--PA

1 Sep 2006 3:54 PM

ato_zee

On 1-Sep-2006, "Pavel A." <pave***@NOwritemeNO.com> wrote:

> > It seems strange to me that the same card in different machines had different
> > results. This was a standard pc card. I would
> > appreciate if anyone could explain this and also why some computers with standard
> > cards do better than others.

Cards are often screened by the case, I have to use and position a USB wireless
adapter (D-Link one useless, kept dropping the connection, ZyDAS based
USB adapter solid connection).

Different makes, and models, of cards and adapters vary in sensitivity
(even from the same maker) the problem being compounded by
sensitivity to location and the signal strength at that location, which
can vary widely over only a few inches. If you are picking up a
reflected signal, not line of sight one, the problem is compounded
by multi-path propagation.

2 Sep 2006 7:33 AM

Vince

Thanks for the replys. Atleast now I can feel comfortable in my explanation
of the issues because you have confirmed my experiences.

I have found that the usb cards do perform much better than the pc cards. I
also know that the higain cards do work from some users experience.

Also due to the fact that we have many many trees line of site is virtually
impossible and we do have bouncing signals. We also have one other factor.
We have many RV's and Moter Homes in and out of the property and each one of
them I am sure changes the system constantly.

So thanks again and I will just keep on explaining as I have about the
issues and if a user is unhappy I will just tell them to get a higain card
and if they don't they should not complain to me.

Vince
Show quoteHide quote

"Vince" <noneh***@newsgroupname.com> wrote in message
news:%23Sm3jwWzGHA.2636@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hello:
>
> I work for a place that has outside wireless system. This is commercial
> class. There are many trees so we have a very hard time transmitting the
> signal due to all of the interference of the trees.
>
> However I would like to explain to the users why one machine can pick up
> the signal and another can not.
>
> I have actually test in one senerio where a wireless network was put in
> one laptop and it got a great signal and then the same card was used in a
> different laptop with the same os but could not pick up a signal with the
> card.
>
> It seems strange to me that the same card in different machines had
> different results. This was a standard pc card. I would appreciate if
> anyone could explain this and also why some computers with standard cards
> do better than others.
>
> I have been recommending that all users install a highgain usb wireless
> card.
>
> Thanks
>

2 Sep 2006 9:32 AM

ato_zee

On 2-Sep-2006, "Vince" <noneh***@newsgroupname.com> wrote:

> I have found that the usb cards do perform much better than the pc cards.

I've greatly improved performance in a multi-path non line of
sight situation by putting the USB wireless adapter in a large
thin walled plastic flowerpot, half coated on the outside with aluminum
kitchen foil, held in place with rubber bands, to act as a
reflector and add directional properties. Multi-path reflections
coming from extreme angles are attenuated.
Went from 12% to GT 20% signal srength, and 20% to GT
40% signal quality, now works fine.
There are other resources describing improvised reflectors
for USB adapters.
For scattered sites with AC distribution from a central
point many have reported success with AC mains
ethernet adapters as an alternative to wireless adapters.