wifi signal next to wifi router

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Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#67020 26-Aug-2010 21:54

I got a new wifi router today, a WNDR3700 (by no means a cheap router, at $270)

I have been testing the wifi in this thing to see where the weak spots in my house are etc. and I noticed something that even though i was sitting literally right beside by router, I was only getting around 76% wifi signal. At least, this is what iStumbler is telling me.

I'm not quite sure if I should take iStumblers word for it or not.. but I also noticed that the wireless N and G signal dropps quite dramatically when I just walk out my door.. maybe about 3 meters away. it drops to maybe around 1/5 of what the connection is capable of.

Is this a problem with the router? Im pretty miffed at it since I did pay quite a bit for it..

is thisnormal for a router to not be giving 100% signal right next to the router?

If not, I will be sending it back. No way am I going to be having that.

newznz

73 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#373384 26-Aug-2010 22:20

That sounds bad - mine is still visible 2 houses down the road!

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#373393 26-Aug-2010 22:44

Ahh crap. I thought as much.

I've just sent an email off to AlphaCity where I purchased it from. I will also give them a call tomorrow.. I know nothing will get done before next week, but I'd ideally like to have a new one by Thursday-Friday next week.

discodannz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
Inactive user

#373661 27-Aug-2010 16:40

I've never used iStumbler but you should see close to 100% signal strength when you are in close proximity of the router. I have come across plenty of faulty wireless routers straight out of the box but also check that the access point and also the device you are connecting with are both set to full power under wifi settings.

Also, if the signal is degrading when there are walls between you and the router then it may be that you have dense walls blocking the signal.

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#373666 27-Aug-2010 16:44

discodannz: I've never used iStumbler but you should see close to 100% signal strength when you are in close proximity of the router. I have come across plenty of faulty wireless routers straight out of the box but also check that the access point and also the device you are connecting with are both set to full power under wifi settings.

Also, if the signal is degrading when there are walls between you and the router then it may be that you have dense walls blocking the signal.

I thought I should be seeing close to 100.

I have checked, numerous times with the power output.

The wifi signal was degrading moving the laptop less than a meter away, line of sight, in the same room without any obstacles.

So.. My guess is faulty router. I called AlphaCity this morning, and they gave me a reference number, and I sent it out this morning back to their department. He said because its not old at all, (well, brand new) he said that he should be able to get me a new one by Wednesday-ish next week, which actually isn't too bad.