January 2006 TechTip: Wireless Without Collisions!

With various wireless devices today - Wireless Internet, Wireless Phones, Cell Phones, Microwaves, Baby monitors, etc. - you should wonder why the home does not glow at night! The issue is that most devices operate in the same frequency; popular ones are 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.3GHz because these are "free" frequencies.

Interference from one device to another is the problem. Have you ever noticed that the WiFi drops off when you pick up your 2.4GHz phone? Maybe you loose your phone connection to the base when the microwave turns on, or loose your WiFi signal when the microwave turns on? Your Baby monitor does not signal too well at all?

All the signal loss and interference are most likely due to too many wireless devices using the same frequencies. Here are some basic ways to avoid the issues: if you have WiFi using 802.11b or 802.11g (uses the 2.4GHz freq.), get yourself some 5.3GHz phones; if you have 802.11a (uses 5.3GHz), do the opposite. Don't put your WiFi router near the Microwave, it will have huge interference. You could be getting only 10% signal strength at best if you are within 10ft of the Microwave being turned on. Same goes with the Phone base, keep it away from the Microwave.

With your wireless router, you have various channels to choose from if you have a phone conflict. Channel 6 is used by default - changing the channel on your Router will force you to update the associated PC's, but that may help separate the colliding frequencies.

As for the baby monitors, try using the 900MHz frequency devices and keep them away from everything else. Most of these are audio only, and 900MHz penetrates walls better than the higher frequencies.

Overall, plan your frequencies for each device for optimal performance, and keep all devices separate and secure as possible. I hope this helps our high tech homeowners in the neighborhood.

		Contributor: Chris Behier
		             2313 Berwick Drive