802.11 2.4GHz channels - are 12 & 13 allowed?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › 802.11 2.4GHz channels - are 12 & 13 allowed?

McNulty

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#102851 23-May-2012 21:53

I've always had it drilled into me that in NZ only channels 1 - 11 in 2.4GHz range are lawfully permitted to be used.

So why is it then that every 802.11 device I've purchased in NZ (even those with "regional lockdown") also include channels 12 and 13 in the options? Have I missed something?

vinnieg

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#629675 23-May-2012 22:57

Nope, it's 1-13 :)

http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/licensees/types-of-licence/general-user-licences/short-range-devices/information-on-the-operation-of-wireless-lan-and-related-systems-in-the-2-ghz-and-5-ghz-bands/

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

LennonNZ

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#629676 23-May-2012 22:59

Whoever drilled this into you must be from the USA ..

NZ = Channels 1->13
US = Channels 1->11

This explains it all: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

michaelmurfy

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#629680 23-May-2012 23:08

I have noticed that some devices (HP Laptop, Phone) don't pick up Channel 13, so just stick with the less used around our house (normally 1, 11)

It's a shame really.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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DrStrangelove

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#629703 24-May-2012 04:53

yerp. Think it's only Japan that uses channel 14

The channel settings for NZ should be 1 5 9 13 on a 20MHz wide setting.

But as noted below, mostly everybody only refers to 1-11 when in NZ it can be 1-13.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

I've just finished rooting an Android phone so I can reconfigure it to operate on channel 13.

Have another Android box I rooted and reconfigured that now supports channel 13.

All my routers and modem support 13. It's just a safe guard in case the 'hood' gets to crowded and I have a plan B escape in place.

Have an Alienware Notebook with a Dell DW1520 mini WiFi card in it that thinks it's US only, but will attempt to modify if I can find the Broadcom drivers for it.

Does New Zealand fall into line with Australia on 5GHz channel allocation/ruling?

I've never bothered to find out.

I'm sitting on 161+157 on 5GHz at the moment...cause I can and no body in the 'hood' is using 5Ghz.

Waiting for a Sony Snapdragon S4 chip Android phone to get to NZ so I can use 5GHz

[update]

Just read the above post with NZ 5Ghz channel allocation.
That's different... I'll have to check again but just a quick glance my router with Tomato firmware doesn't care to much about NZ 5GHz settings.

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#629733 24-May-2012 08:49

1-13 are allowed but unless you're using them in a locked down controlled environment (ie you know the devices that will be connecting) using 12 and 13 becomes a nightmare due to the huge number of devices that are locked to using 1-11

McNulty

152 posts

Master Geek

#629761 24-May-2012 09:33

Further research on my own has confirmed basically what sbiddle said.
This is mainly due to the huge influence that the North American market has on devices sold throughout the world, but another reason is that many consumer devices are set to channel 6 by default, thereby destroying both channels 5 & 9 simultaneously.
So the 1,5,9,13 model should really only be deployed in highly controlled environments.