Radio power setting for Wireless Access Point and safety

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jahc

92 posts

Master Geek

#30389 6-Feb-2009 13:31

There are many walls and distance in between my brothers computer in the house, and my wireless access point in the sleepout. He suffers from packet loss, and disconnections. I tried to increase the radio power of my ASUS WAP from 19 to 29, and it seemed to help a little. The maximum power setting is 81 or so, but I'm worried about cranking it up too high in case there are adverse health side effects. Whats a high but safe value to use? The closest computer to the WAP in the sleepout is about 3 metres away, which is wired but I'm mentioning it because I'm wondering if its too close to strong WAP radio waves.

raytaylor

4017 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#194788 8-Feb-2009 20:37

The access point, at full power will still be less than a long range dect cordless phone. I would put it up to 50
A better idea would be to get a directional patch antenna - if your access point has a detachable antenna.

Put it in the window of your sleepout facing the house. You will still get signal around the sleepout because they still backfire a good signal about 10m but will 'push' more towards the house.
It also listens more from the house.

Here is one you might find suitable. I dont work for go-wifi but something like this one should work. You will need to check the connection on the antenna's pigtail (cable) to make sure it fits your access point or get a supplier to make a converter pigtail of some sort.

Ray Taylor

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nav2u

42 posts

Geek

#194856 9-Feb-2009 10:17

I was also concerned about the possible ill health effects of wireless signals so relocated the WiFi AP to another part of my house.

However the unfortunate truth is that one cannot escape EMR... its everywhere! :D

raytaylor

4017 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#194953 9-Feb-2009 18:28

nav2u: I was also concerned about the possible ill health effects of wireless signals so relocated the WiFi AP to another part of my house.

However the unfortunate truth is that one cannot escape EMR... its everywhere! :D

Right you are - I sleep with my cellphone over the other side of the room and dont use an alarm clock.
I used to go up to the farm and stand under the trunk power lines with a flourescent tube and it would light up - made a field of them and it looked pretty cool but now im older, and possibly wiser, i dont know if i was exposing myself to anything good there.

Ray Taylor

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raytaylor

4017 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#194954 9-Feb-2009 18:28

nav2u: I was also concerned about the possible ill health effects of wireless signals so relocated the WiFi AP to another part of my house.

However the unfortunate truth is that one cannot escape EMR... its everywhere! :D

Ray Taylor

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Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

iainw

75 posts

Master Geek

#196101 16-Feb-2009 17:29

Just to put the numbers in to context.

Wireless AP transmit power is measured in milliwatts.

Setting it to 50mW, is still 0.08% of the power of a 60W lightbulb. Compare this to a 1kW microwave, and you start to realise how little EMR is given off by 802.11 devices.

The signal strength also attenuates pretty quickly as it passes through objects and air. An internal Gib wall halves the signal strength (roughly).