Hello guys..

My wi-fi device using the "iwlist scan ath0" command for AP scan. It shows a different number of wi-fi networks every time, because it scans very fast.

The scan takes 1 or 2 seconds in total. Is there a command I can use to extend this scan time? Or is there a place to edit the source file? Thanks..

I don't think so, but it does sound like a very sensible feature to suggest to the developers.

Welcome to LQ!
Try: sudo nmcli dev wifi
And let us know if you like that better.

Or: sudo iw ath0 scan duration <#ms like 2000>
(assuming `ip r` shows that ath0 is your Wi-Fi device)

I couldn't figure out what kind of scan it was doing, as I'm a beginner. But there must be a way to make it run in an infinite loop like the wash command. (until stop)


I observed that the firmware inside my wi-fi device scans with this command and sometimes shows 2-3, sometimes 15 wi-fi networks, I am looking for a way to improve it.
That's why the nmcli command won't work for me. But I think I can edit iwlist or iw command inside firmware files.
The command you mentioned doesn't seem to be working. How exactly should I use it?

I have also noticed even with my phone that sometimes the "list of available networks" changes – sometimes quite considerably. And many of these have "strong" signal-strength indicators, which at least implies that it's not a radio problem. (Could be a "same radio frequency selected" problem, however.)

The scan output *always* depends upon timing *and signal strength*.
I can scan and see 2 APs and 5 minutes later scan and see 15. This mostly depends upon how quickly the AP may respond to a scan and/or if the AP happens to be broadcasting its SSID. The SSID is not broadcast continuously. Some APs are 'hidden' and do not broadcast an SSID for clients. Signal strength also fluctuates with time, even though the APs are at a fixed distance from my PC.

You are right mate. The scan output shows instant data. But as i said, need something like deep scan with iwlist. I don't know if scan time can be added or something similar can be done by checking the source codes.