What Wifi adapters work well with B2/3 wifi

[Binkem]

Hi all,

I've got a B3 wifi and a desktop computer with a WMP300N Linksys wifi card. It may be due to the distance, but the card drops one in four of all packages. With my old wifi router this didn't cause any problems. Now I bought another wifi card (Icidu PCI-Card 300N), but it turns out that both cards use the same Artheros chips, so this card doesnt function any better. My other (laptop) computers don't drop packages from the same location and my smartphone works fine there.
I am curious what cards other B3-wifi users use and how wel they function over a longer range (15-20 m distance).

Martijn

[johannes]

I would be surprised if the chipset is the cause (since the B3 AP also uses an Artheros chipset), but you never know. My guess is an antenna issue. Try changing channels on the AP, or try moving B3 or your client a few inches in some direction to see if it helps. We normally score good in AP range tests (both range and performance) so I don't think we have a general problem.

[Binkem]

I tired fiddling with antenna's and channels. Problem is there's a lot of Wifi traffic here (over 10 access points visible from my livingroom, more on the upper floors). Changing the channel usually results in my other systems (Squeezeplayers) losing Wifi connection altogether. Unfortunately the placement of the Bubba and my computer are dictated bij the place of my fiber connection and the lay-out of our attic.

Martijn

[johannes]

Hmm, ok. Perhaps you can consider using high-gain antennas to overcome the wifi noise? (Not sure if it helps, but it might)? I've got a couple of these lying around, can send them if you wish to try? The antennas included with B3 are somewhere in the 2-2.5 dBi range, probably the same as for your other gear. Note that they are 2.4 GHz only, but I guess you aren't using 5 GHz anyways...

[oliver]

@Johannes:
with respect to my support case and our talks: maybe this is also an antenna issue ?

Best wishes

Oliver

[johannes]

Hmm, I guess it could but I don't think so, since 'g' mode is working (also 2.4 GHz).

[oliver]

yup, but as I understand 'g' consumes less than 'n'. Do you have any combinations of windows 7 64-bit with atheros wlans and B3 successfully and stable running ?

Thanks

Oliver

[johannes]

Yes, but antennas are probably not partially broken, either they are good with both or not. And no, we don't have that combination in office (we do however have win7 64-bit + intel cards running fine).

[oliver]

Does it mean that with the 2.4-update 802.11n will work right ?

[update]: since 2.4-update everything seams to work stable and performant even with mixed mode !