posted
As I was walking around the SKP park in Benson, I happened across a fellow RVer (Andre) with his SatInt dish. While I was chatting with him about many other issues, a guy stopped and asked what was the wattage on that dish. Since Andre had no idea, I said I thought it was one watt.
The guy got out of his car and introduced himself as Hank, the guy, who provides the Wi-Fi service for the park. He is fighting intermittent access to Wi-Fi by many of his subscribers here in the park. Hank has over ten transmitters scattered throughout the park. However, there are lots of continuing complaints. One evening he was walking around the park with some kind of meter and could measure radio interference from Andre's dish. According to the Hank, Andre's dish points straight across the signals from the Wi-Fi transmitter. (Note: Andre is direct connect - no router.) According to Hank, that is what is causing the problems for the Wi-Fi provider's subscribers. There is power to Andre's modem at all times unless he is asleep. According to Hank, when Andre is gone or in bed, the Wi-Fi works fine.
When I spoke to another person in the park, they said the guy had also been trying to blame the problems on the many 50 amp service (upgraded from 30 amp) that is installed at many of the lots.
Real question: Could the dish transmitting across the Wi-Fi transmission interfere with the Wi-Fi?
Second question: Is the dish (modem) continually transmitting even though no data is being sent?
posted
A#1: Nope, totally different frequency A#2: Nope, only when sending data (i.e. sending a request for a website, sending e-mail etc)
Now, people who own satellite dishes frequently also own wireless routers, which could possibly add to some interference issues in the park. But Hank is barking up the wrong tree trying to blame the satellite dish itself. Hank might choose a frequency for the park wifi equipment, then just ask wireless router owners to change to some differing frequency. But more likely than not, the park's wifi is ill planned and/or under powered and Hank is looking for a scapegoat.
posted
I ran across the same thing at the Sun King Resort in De Funiak Springs, FL.
The owner knocked on my door showed me his cute little meter that showed what channel my router was on and how strong my signal was. Said he had been getting complaints about his wifi system the past two days and I was jamming his system. He turned a little red when I told him we had been there almost 2 months. But to make him happy I changed channels on my router. My DataStorm was pointed away from any of his antenna's. He also pointed out to me that he didn't like for anyone to use satellite antenna's, that is what he has wifi for, at $2.50 a day. We left a week later when our rent was due. I was the only one in the resort with a DataStorm, but there were 3 tripod users there.
Jack
-------------------- Jack and Ginny Edwards F1/D2/6000 89W 1390 2006 Allegro Phaeton 2006 Chevy HHR Our ol' dawg Bitsy Posts: 27 | From: USA | Registered: May 2003
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While in De Funiak Springs at the same location you were in, I too changed my channel because I thought I was always getting the Park WiFi instead of my own. While there, we saw by the map that you were there but we could never find you. We did not see any tripod users there. We were there 1/11-1/17. We really enjoyed the atmosphere of the park but fortunately, I was never approached by the owner.
posted
A Datastorm or Hughes dish could interfear with a poorly designed router when it is transmitting
However I would not expect that to be an issue given the big discrepency frequency wise
But "Blame the guy with the big antenna" has been a mantra for a long time...
I routinely fry folks who try that
(FCC regs say the router must take resonable precautions against outside interference, most do not)
A more likely situtation is that the jerk has all his routers on the same channel (Most likely six) and has no clue as to how to change the channel and it is his own routers causing the problem.
posted
John's message had me thinking so I headed over to my laptop where NetStumbler lives (my Mac has AirPort but I don't know how to view the channels). I probably can't see all of them from where I am, but one of the visible is mine and the only one on channel 3. Twelve of the park's routers were visible to me and the channels are all over the spectrum with most on channel 1. There are two Tengointernet's (probably from another RV park someplace nearby) visible -- one on channel 1 and the other on channel 11. Both of these are used by at least one of the park's routers.
My curiosity... Would it be better that the Park's routers were all on the same channel or different channels considering their distance from each other. And none of those channels would be equal to those nearby Tengointernet channels.
Perhaps there is a Netstumbler lookalike for the Mac that someone could recommend.
posted
Only 3 channels do not interfere with each other and they are 1, 6 and 11. It sounds like you should move your system to channel 6 for the best separation. No matter what would be best I would not suggest that you offer opinions to the park on how they should run their system.
[ February 18, 2007, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: Bill Adams ]
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15778 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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I don't follow your reply. Personally, I have no problem. I pick up my router (with my Mac) without any issue. My router is on channel 3. I have found over time that is the one with the least users. And if I do have a problem maintaining a Wi-Fi connection to my router, I just use an Ethernet connection.
The park's residents, however, have a problem receiving continuous service from the Wi-Fi provider for the park.
You said "Only 3 channels do not interfere with each other and they are 1, 6 and 11. It sounds like you should move your system to channel 11 for the best separation." Are you saying that the Wi-Fi vendor should put all his routers on channel 11?
Is the reason they (channels 1, 6 1nd 11) don't interfere with each other is because their individual frequency is farther apart from each other or is there another reason?
I will not get into the middle of this issue. No recommendations will come from me. I am just trying to understand all this for any future conversations on the subject. I never provide answers to anything. The best consultant just asks questions. By doing that, there is no embarrassment to anyone.
Yesterday, I had heard that an inspector from the FCC is scheduled to show up here on March 1 to check for radio interference around the park. My cynical remark was that with big government concentrated on TSA, there are no people left in the FCC to monitor anything.
posted
Lloyd, Sorry for the typo, I meant to say you should move to 6 as it appears everyone else is in the 1 and 11 range. Even though you are on 3, you can cause interference with 1,2,3,4,5. Only channels 1,6 and 11 have enough separation to avoid this problem.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15778 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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posted
The high power (wide) routers are even worse for interference as they use two ajacent channels like 1/2, 3/4, etc.
-------------------- Don Marr WWW.OREGONRV.NET 541-683-5361 See where I am Country Coach Concept 40' F1 - D3|7000s|99W|LinkSys wireless with 1000mw WiFi amp & Ext. antenna Posts: 3413 | From: Eugene, OR | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
Dan, We left De Funiak Springs Jan 7th and never deployed the DataStorm until we got to San Antonio but didn't change locations on the map until later. Guess that's why you couldn't find us. We were on site R4. I agree the park was nice and would have stayed for another month, but felt very un-welcome after my visit.
For what its worth, I was on channel 6 and changed to channel 3 at De Funiak. Guess I should change back to 6.
Jack
-------------------- Jack and Ginny Edwards F1/D2/6000 89W 1390 2006 Allegro Phaeton 2006 Chevy HHR Our ol' dawg Bitsy Posts: 27 | From: USA | Registered: May 2003
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