Intermittent Lose of Wireless Signal

metallica1973 · 07-30-2007, 10:29 PM

I have two ZYXEL 3000H AP and I am using a NETGEAR WG511T wireless card using MADWIFI drivers. I can be right next to the AP and I will get consistent disconnects every 30 seconds. What I have to due sometimes is reset the AP and then it goes away for a period of time and then comes right back. I have had this happen on multiple brands of AP including Linksys WRT54G, DLINK DI 624 and others. What the heck could be causing this to happen. It is the same characteristics for every AP. I have tried another Wireless PCMCIA card!

macemoneta · 07-30-2007, 11:30 PM

You could have a periodic source of RF (radio frequency) noise, especially if you are in an urban area. Wireless is just like any radio, subject to interference. Use a wire in that case.

metallica1973 · 07-30-2007, 11:41 PM

I just reset that @#$#@$ AP and things are back to normal. I can understand RF noise in different areas but that doesnt explain why I experience this right next to the access points. Wireless is a true mistery to me. I am serious I have experience this same issue with multiple AP over a period of years cannot understand why it happens!

macemoneta · 07-30-2007, 11:51 PM

The distance doesn't really matter. 802.11 access points and pccards are very low power, and they can be easily overwhelmed by the noise generated any number of electrical devices. A bad fluorescent ballast. A neon sign. A bad capacitor on an air conditioner motor or refrigerator compressor. A leaky microwave oven. A cordless phone.

There are many sources of RF noise. If you happen to be an electronics hobbyist, you can assemble an RF sniffer to locate the problem.

metallica1973 · 07-31-2007, 12:11 AM

That would come in very handy. Many thanks