[pushead]

Hello

I recently got the Optik TV bundle deal from telus end of last month. Since then, I've been experiencing some issues with Wifi with my laptop. The router is downstairs, and my laptop is one floor, directly above the same room as the router, so I would say its like just under 25 feet in distance.

My problem is that every now and then my wireless signal drops down to like 6, 9, or 18 mbps on the link speed. But the signal bars usually stays at 5 occasionally at 4. The avg link speed I get on my laptop is like 104 to 144 mbps. I dont know why the fluctuation happens. I never had this problem before when I had the 2WIRE router that telus gave a while ago previous to the actiontec one.

I dont think having a replacing with a new router would do any good, then the Telus TV wouldnt work well, right?

Any of you guys can suggest anything? I am using with the 802.11n + g mode btw.

 

[Wiremonkey]

All I can sugest is trying a program like NetStumbler to see how many other WiFi access points there are in your area. It will see yours too. If yours is on the same channel as several others in your area, try changing your channel to one that isn't used or isn't used by as many to see if this helps. By default the Actiontec is on Auto, but you can manually set the channel.

You generally never got this kind of thing with the 2WIRE because it broadcasts at 400 milliwatts on full strength and virtually all other wifi is around the 100 milliwatt range. The 2WIRE was a brute, alas its not made anymore, TELUS has only refurbs.


-another TELUS tech

 

[pushead]

I have used the program inSSIDer, which is similar to the NetStumbler, and I already set my channel to 7, which is far away from other router channels.

Wiremonkey, would the Telus TV service would work if I use another (stronger) router? If that doesnt work, I guess maybe adding a wireless repeater would be a safer and suitable solution?

 

[pushead]

bump. Anybody got a suggestion to this?

 

[akwok]

You can use a stronger router (something like a DIR-655, WNDR3700, or the new Linksys E4200) as a pure access point if you want to improve your signal. There is usually an option in the settings page to turn off its routing capabilities and use it as an AP only. However, if there isn't, it's sufficient to turn off its firewall and DHCP server (i.e. DHCP forwarding from the Actiontec).

 

[digao]

two suggestions, pushead:

1) Use one of the following channels: 1, 6, 11. Check whatever of these have the weakest signal around and pick that one.

2) Replace the antenna for a high gain antenna and you should see improvements. Not sure how much and if it will be enough.

Maybe you're better off using a router to extend the wireless signal or to actually create the wireless network, disabling the built in wireless in the actiontec.

Rod

 

[pushead]

Thanks for the suggestions both of you.

@Rod: I've already tried the two options. I used inSSIDer to scan neighbouring networks and I picked the channel that had the weakest signal. Also, I replaced one of the antennas with a high gain one but its not really not helping much. Perhaps the wireless power level of the actiontec router won't exceed than it is right now. So I guess I am better off using a higher power router for wireless network, while disabling the wireless on the actiontec.

 

[Wiremonkey]

I have used the program inSSIDer, which is similar to the NetStumbler, and I already set my channel to 7, which is far away from other router channels.

Wiremonkey, would the Telus TV service would work if I use another (stronger) router? If that doesnt work, I guess maybe adding a wireless repeater would be a safer and suitable solution?

You MUST use the Actiontec with Optik. You can place a router of your choosing behind it if you choose, but make sure the other router you chose is on a different address scheme than the 192.168.1.0-254 that the Actiontec uses or you'll be double NATed and have issues. DMZ your router in the Actiontec and then turn off the Actiontecs wifi.

Strange you have problems, the Actiontec is N wifi and a good performer in my experience with it.

- another TELUS tech

 

[pushead]

If thats strange to you Wiremonkey, do you think my Actiontec router could be defective? If it is, then I should call tech support and have it replaced.

As for adding another router as an AP, doesn't all routers have a gateway address in the 192.168.1.0-254 pool?

 

[Wiremonkey]

Might be an idea. It always seems to have good range to me. Wouldn't be the first out of box failure. They do happen even Ferrari makes lemons.


-another TELUS tech

 

[ToeTagger]

My Actiontec has alot stronger signal thru our house than my D-Link Dir-825 Extreme, very nice unit

 

[ctown6412]

Ive had a similar issue with wireless on the actiontech as well. I ordered a directional high gain antenna and got an improvement but it does still fluctuate.

I have tried different channels to no avail too It fluctuates same as pushead describes. Its likely a firmware issue. I even tested with my dir-655 on the same channels right beside the actiontech location and it does not fluctuate like the actiontec does. I did that test to confirm if it could have been RF interference from some other device near by.

pushead as others described you could put another router in for your wifi access, I was doing this for sometime with my dlink but since pulled it out of service to clean up my wiring mess around the house. I had both the actiontec and the dir-655 running the same wireless network in bridge mode and gave me greatly improved wifi coverage and much more reliable connectivity.

Another idea is to reposition your antenna and see if that helps.

 

[pushead]

Hi Ctown

I tried repositioning the antenna around the room, no improvement at all.

I was thinking of using the Dlink router dir-655, same as yours for the wireless network, I'll have to wait for a good sale or so to come up.

For now, I have changed the wireless to g ONLY in the actiontec. So now its pretty stable wireless signals, no fluctuation but unfortunately no wireless N. I guess this solution would suffice for now until I get the new DIR-655 router later on.

I think your right on the actiontec router being a firmware issue.