It occurred to me the other day there that the Airmagnet software I've been using for a year has a GPS function and I have a GPS receiver.
So I configured it (surprisingly easy) did a screen dump from Flash Earth to use as a map and then went out for a wee drive around the scheme..
I'm using a Cisco NIC with a built in antenna, so I'm sure that the results would be a bit clearer if I could mount an antenna on the roof of the car but it wasn't bad.
What I did notice is that the majority of the home wireless routers in the area are on channel 1 or 11.
(It's not entirely clear on that report since you have to zoom in to see individual AP's)
So it would probably be worth your while downloading NetStumbler when you are setting up your home kit to see what channels people around you are on.
You can also see some people are on like channel 9, 10 and stuff..which is a bit daft.
In the UK we have 13 available channels (US has 11) but there is a 5 channel overlap, so Wireless Routers on channels 1 and 5, 2 and 6, 3 and 7 and so on will interfere with each other.
Given that most routers come preconfigured for 1, 6 or 11, it's a really bad idea to pick a channel somewhere in between those since you will get channel interference from both sides.
I.E. Set your router to channel 9 and you'll get interference from any AP's (
which are close enough) on channels 11
and 6.
Righty ho...I've wasted my morning, now I'm off out on the bike..
(Once I have something to eat)
