Stereospeaker
junior member
Reged: 06/13/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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What happens when you get too many WiFi networks in an area? Does it damage the hardware because the signal gets too strong?
Stereospeaker
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LisaG
Head Honcho
  
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 8574
Loc: Texas
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No it doesn't damage the hardware. But if the hotspots are broadcasting on the same channel they may interfere with each other and degrade the signal.
-------------------- Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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Stereospeaker
junior member
Reged: 06/13/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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Ok thanks.
How do I know its the signal being degraded and not my ISP playing up?
Stereospeaker
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LisaG
Head Honcho
  
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 8574
Loc: Texas
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You'd need to use a software tool (program) that surveys all hotspots in range and reports the channel each is broadcasting on. So if you see there are 2 other hotspots broadcasting on your router's channel, it's not an ISP issue and it would be a good idea to change your router to a less crowded channel.
-------------------- Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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Stereospeaker
junior member
Reged: 06/13/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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Why 2? Can't it handle more than that on each channel?
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LisaG
Head Honcho
  
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 8574
Loc: Texas
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Well, yours and 2 others make 3 on a channel, and that is enough to potentially cause noticeable interference. If possible, it's certainly worth checking and changing your router's WiFi broadcast channel (if possible- urban locations like NYC and London can make channel pollution hard to avoid).
-------------------- Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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Stereospeaker
junior member
Reged: 06/13/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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So, if I wanted to use Skype on it, then, I really need to make sure that there less than 2 others? Couldnt I jus buy a better router?
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