Cheap/Free Method of Scanning Wifi Interference

[Over Carl]

I really could do with a device to scan the WiFi RF spectrum in an area as I suspect it has major interference.

There are devices commercially available that produce graphs - examples below:




Problem is those graphs were generated by Wi-Spy and accompanying Chanalyzer Pro software which costs $999.

I'm only going to use it once and am fairly broke so that just isn't an option.

Does anyone know of ways to do this on the cheap?

[Sanj[UK]]

Ive had to deal with similar wifi issues but all I had to do was use Inssider and then change all the wifi channels to 1, 6 or 11.

[Over Carl]

Tried 1/6/11, problem is the connection seems fine for a bit then suddenly either totally vanishes or starts crawling - one pc is in the same room as an ap about 5 m away and has the same issues.

I'm convinced there is something pumping out a shitload of RF interference that is killing connections. Problem is things like netstumbler are only looking for other wifi devices, while I suspect in this situation something that isn't a wifi device is interfering with the wifi spectrum.

[koola2]

Got one on the android phone (if you have one) or is it too simple?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....wifi.analyzer

(Just read your recent post guess this is useless)

[Tim.Lad]

I use Inssider all the time problem is if its to conjested your stuffed anyway, i was working on the Wifi in one pub in Manchester fired up Inssider and registered 20 AP`s.. all-so I word of warning if your location is near a supermarket for example Sainsburys they have upwards of 15 ap in one store but they do not broadcast their SSIDs

[Tim.Lad]

Tried 1/6/11, problem is the connection seems fine for a bit then suddenly either totally vanishes or starts crawling - one pc is in the same room as an ap about 5 m away and has the same issues.

I'm convinced there is something pumping out a shitload of RF interference that is killing connections. Problem is things like netstumbler are only looking for other wifi devices, while I suspect in this situation something that isn't a wifi device is interfering with the wifi spectrum.

Microwaves and Old dect phones a fuckers for doing this..

[Undertaker]

why not switch to 5ghz range?

[reverend]

I can see over 65 APs from home now when using the Alfa, it's insane, I was getting decent speed out of my Netgear DGN2000 but picked up a Cisco 4200 the other week, Christ it went from 2MB/sec to 10MB/sec when using 5GHz channels - couldn't believe it!

[Undertaker]

OC, if you still wanting to use 2.4ghz, switch to the higher channel..

channel 14

[Over Carl]

Many thanks everyone, might as well try 5GHz although this place has very thick concrete walls which apparently don't go well with 5GHz.

I'll probably recommend a dual band unit like the one reverend mentioned for now, then eventually get round to building this to have a proper look.

[reverend]

Isn't channel 14 only 11b?

I used to use Network Stumber I think it was to look at the interference - I used to have no end of problems on channel 13 though, some things would work great and others would drop packets like mad!

TP-Link actually do a 2.4GHz router with three aerials which is supposed to be very decent for what it is, and it's only 40 odd quid from Amazon!

I've got BT coming on Tuesday to stick all their kit in for Infinity, and then once they're done I'm going to set up the E4200 v2 and start using it in anger, so far I've been playing around with it but it's seemed ok.

If you are thinking about another router the Asus RT56U gets very good reviews and it's coming down in price as the RT66U is out, I managed to pick up the new Cisco E4200 v2 from PC World for 129.99 - expensive but hopefully it'll last me a while!

[Over Carl]

Apparently to use your own router with infinity, you need a router that will do pppoe on an ethernet port but the catch is you need one where you can specify vlan 101 on the wan port.

[tigro]

Ive got it, its Chanalyzer_Pro_1.1.4_Build_815

It has been scanned with kaspersky, if you want I can upload it somewhere for you?

Edit : I forgot to mention I downloaded it a while back but have not tried it yet.

[JonEp]

Tried 1/6/11, problem is the connection seems fine for a bit then suddenly either totally vanishes or starts crawling - one pc is in the same room as an ap about 5 m away and has the same issues.

I'm convinced there is something pumping out a shitload of RF interference that is killing connections. Problem is things like netstumbler are only looking for other wifi devices, while I suspect in this situation something that isn't a wifi device is interfering with the wifi spectrum.

Microwave oven or pirate radio uplink ?

Had both in my time cause the same problem.

2.5 gig is the radio equivalent of a porn channel, anything goes !

[Over Carl]

Ive got it, its Chanalyzer_Pro_1.1.4_Build_815

It has been scanned with kaspersky, if you want I can upload it somewhere for you?

Edit : I forgot to mention I downloaded it a while back but have not tried it yet.

YES PLEASE!!!!!

Will be very interesting if I can make my own dongle for £40 then use that s/w.

EdiT: Grabbed a copy, if/when I test it with the home made dongle I will report back. Looks like the s/w updates itself when run first so no point trying to track newer versions

[Sanj[UK]]

Share the details if you manage it:-)

[Mobileman]

bump mates two ipads airs keep dropping off wifi (both exchanged by apple last week and still same issue) tried one on my network and runs fine so need to scan his wifi network and surrounding ones, possible channel issues or interferance ?

to add all wifi devices fine on his just the two ipad airs !? and old sky router and latest router for fibre both have same issue

used to have issider but now its paid, is it worth buying or is there something else free or better for minimal cost

cheers
mm

[grrrd]

WiFi analyser on android? Simple but useful.

[Mobileman]

WiFi analyser on android? Simple but useful.

pref windows or ios but will try charge my tablet now

[grrrd]

You won't find anything on iOS, tried a while back but apple locked all the ability :-(