Macintosh: Question about AirPort/WiFi
 

We just set up our wireless network in our apartment. As I had anticipated, I'm having problems. 1 computer is wired into the router, 1 laptop is wireless and very close to the router, and my PowerBook is downstairs. Walking distance from the router is 50-60 feet. The router is almost directly above where I ususally do my work from. That distance is 15 feet or so. We have RCN cable and have the 3 Mbps package. The wired in comp is getting 2.9 Mbps down consistently. The wireless laptop close to the router gets about the same. I am getting anywhere from 900k down to 2.6 Mbps down. Mostly, I am hitting in the 1.5 Mbps range. Uploads are a consistent 700k. RCN says that we have very low signal and was shocked that our 'net worked as is. They are coming back soon to run 2 new lines for us, to give us better signal strength. My internet is running very slowly. My 2 other roommates are smoking along as should be. I am using the built in wireless in my PowerBook, it has all the latest AirPort software. We have a D-Link 54 Mbps router. My signal strength meter shows me at 3 out of 4 bars. Am I experiencing this slow down because of my distance from the router? That is the only cause I can think of, unless our speeds are just varying like a mother due to ultra low signal. I thought you had more distance with WiFi.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

I don't have any direct advice for you, but I'm thinking of doing some wireless myself, and I just saw this site: Take Control of Your AirPort Network. It's an offer for a $5 eBook in PDF form, and there's a free sample. I'm probably going to buy it.

Ok, so you are down stairs? this apartment wouldn't happen to have steal cross beams that keep the 2nd floor above your head would it? Large metal objects interfere with wiFi. Cinderblocks don't help either. Have you tried moving the router or you to a different location?

I'm going to say yes, based on my own observations in my own home.

The further my laptop is from the router the slower the connection. I can compensate for it by adjusting WEP settings but that compromises security. The same goes for my Palm Tungsten C it's slowest furthest out from the router.

YMMV

Same here regarding distance. The further away you are, the slower it gets.

Even your body posture (ie: sitting with your back against the signal) will have an impact.

I can't say this with certainty, but I've had days where my signal is worse than others - maybe periodic interference or indoor climate??

You can always try a range extender - it worked for me.

I've been using a D-Link 802.11b AP. My dad has a SMC 802.11g AP and the signal on that seems much better. My father in law as an AirPort base station and the distance it incredible.

The walls in my house (and father) are wood and plaster. In laws are wood and sheetrock. Probably a little easier to get through?

My experiences are with a PowerBook 15 Ti and 802.11b.

Are you saying that an AirPort base station would give us better results? Also, do you think a AirPort PC card would give me better results over the built in antenna?

I was very impressed with the AirPort Base Station but I didn't perform a head-to-head comparison. You could always buy the Apple unit then return it if you weren't pleased with the results.

A model variant of the Base Station comes with a USB print server that works very well with Macs. You won't find anything as easy with non-Apple products.

I've heard that a CardBus adapter provides better range than the built-in antenna, however that's with Titanium and earlier models. It's possible the signal strength is better on the Aluminum models. I would try the built-in antenna first and see how you like it.

We're all running ibooks/powerbooks in our office (6 in all), and all AirPort. One difference we've noted is that the PowerBook with the Titanium case/shell gets lousy reception when using the AirPort card to connect (compared with the plastic cases on the iBooks).

Not sure if your problem is similar, but something to consider.

also if you have more people using the internet at once your bandwidth is going to be decreased majorly and you being the farthest away will get the butt of it....

I use a Belkin 802.11b wireless Router and it works great i get full reception over my whole house (first second and thrid floors all have full reception or slose to full)

also other things in your area or apartment could also interfear with the signal certain waves and phones if they're running on the same Ghz

I dont think you should have to change your Air Port card in your powerbook they seem to work extremely well or atleast for me ..

thats my 2 cents

THAT may help. Check the "channel" of your broadcast. See if it is better when you move it to one extreme to the other.

there are lots of theing that interfere with your signal.. Steel beams, walls in general, hell even the weather. Not to mention cordless phones, microwaves, and various other electronics. You're probably getting any combination of these along with the distance.. Set up next to the transmitter and see how it works.. then work on eliminating each piece from there.. I have a few ibooks, i Titamium, and several PCs all running to an airport base station at work (I use netgear at home, with my ibook, and alienware laptop) and get equally good reception regardless of the machine.. IT usualy tend to be the environment. there are only a few really crappy brands of cards out there..

DLink is one of them IMHO.