[Solved] How do I find out what my neighbours Router WiFi Channel?

gael33 · 06-09-2015, 06:43 AM

Hi, I have been streaming films and collected TV shows from my QNAS TS-212-E for about a year without any problems. Recently, we have several new neighbours moved close by and my Server has started dropping it's WiFi connection. How do I find out what Router Channel they use without causing too much fuss? Is there a program that I could install that would give me that information? Ideally, if I could find a WiFi Channel that none of my neighbours are using, I could use that for my video streaming.
Hope someone can help ... cables are out of the question.

gael.

pan64 · 06-09-2015, 06:53 AM

If I remember well the router itself can select a channel. But I suggest you to contact him/them and discuss it.

gael33 · 06-09-2015, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

If I remember well the router itself can select a channel. But I suggest you to contact him/them and discuss it.

Thanks for the reply.
I know that most Routers (UK) are normally set to Auto which I think assigns Channel 6 as first choice, so I checked my Router (SKY Broadband) and it was indeed set to Channel 6. I changed it to Channel 11 and tested my video streaming and it seems to have cured the problem. However, the big test will come this evening when most folks are home from work and watching the TV and catching up on their Computers. I'll keep you informed

gael.

PS. It might seem a bit suspicious if I ask strangers what their Router Channel is using. I may ask in 6 months time after I have got to know them a little better.

pan64 · 06-09-2015, 07:43 AM

Hm. I thought you already know your neighbourhood. At least a good idea to make friends all around you.
I should say contact them on facebook

voleg · 06-09-2015, 07:58 AM

Android application "Wifi Analyser"

schneidz · 06-09-2015, 08:08 AM

Code:

schneidz@xbmc:~$ sudo iwlist wlan0 scan | egrep -i  "essid|frequency"
                    Frequency:2.432 GHz (Channel 5)
                    ESSID:"hyper"
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    ESSID:"HOME-F2C8_2GEXT"
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    ESSID:"N----- G-----'s Network"

pan64 · 06-09-2015, 08:11 AM

I think other routers can also automatically select a channel, therefore you cannot rely on a simple iwlist command (or a wifi analyzer) - not to speak about the case if there were a lot of routers all around there....

Sefyir · 06-09-2015, 09:34 AM

Are cables completely out of the question?

With powerline adapters, I cabled up some of the computers into the network that previously used wifi. The side effect was everything remaining that still used wifi jumped tremendously in speed and responsiveness plus the one's on powerline are a lot more faster (not as fast as a direct connection but that's ok)