I tweeted my service provider because I was disappointed with the download speeds I was getting. They of course suggested I plug directly into their modem to do speed tests.


I did this and I got what I am supposed to get - 80 down / 8 up.

I then plugged directly into the AEBS and got the same great speeds.

I then switched wifi back on and with my MacBook Pro right beside the AEBS, I got the same.

Then I walked over to my desk on the other side of the room (about 12 feet away) and tried it again on my MBP and my iMac. I got half that speed down and 3/4 up.


I downloaded iStumbler and it shows a strength of only 55% at my desk, even though my Airport status shows all four bars full on both machines. That strength is about what I get upstairs, both one level up on my main level, and two levels up in my bedroom.

This doesn't seem right. How can the signal be so poor within the same room?

Which AirPort do you have (year/model)?

My first guess would be interference, there are literally tonnes of devices out there that all use the 2.4ghz spectrum at this point, try changing the channel your network uses, and if possible(depends on the version of the airport and your devices) switch to the 5ghz spectrum.

It's the previous-generation model.

I changed it to 5ghz/n-only. Same result. And also the iPhone 4 is only 2.4ghz so I can't leave it as that.

It's the previous-generation model.

I changed it to 5ghz/n-only. Same result. And also the iPhone 4 is only 2.4ghz so I can't leave it as that.

Same result with 5 GHz is strange, as that should bypass all traditional forms of interference. 5 GHz is pretty empty right now.

I would suggest trying another router, if possible. You could also contact Apple, tell them what's happening, and request a warranty replacement. You'll need a Mac under AppleCare for that to work, however.

Try NetSpot (available from the App Store) and it will indicate what signal you get where.
I had a similar problem, and resolved it by putting the AEBS on its side to change the internal antenna orientation.

Mac App Store - NetSpot: WiFi survey & wireless scanner (http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/netspot-wifi-survey-wireless/id514951692?mt=12)

Try NetSpot (available from the App Store) and it will indicate what signal you get where.
I had a similar problem, and resolved it by putting the AEBS on its side to change the internal antenna orientation.

Very cool!

Here is my result. This is the best result I got. I put the ABES up on top of my stereo stand so that there is a direct line of sight from iMac and desk to the Airport. I then walked around with my MBP and did the test. The rectangle in the middle is a couch.

It's on n - b/g compatible 2.4ghz because iPhone 4's don't work with n alone at 5ghz. Though I guess I could put in on n 2.4ghz and see what happens. And the channel is 6 because there are two other people using channel 11 nearby.

Not great signal strength and the iMac/desk is only 12-15 ft away. Grrrrr. Is this a normal result? Because it's not settling well with me that I'm getting 1/2 the speed I should be getting and I'm sitting in the same room as the router+modem!

Nothin' doing. I changed it to every type of wifi it offers and I still get around -50. Grr.

i was gonna suggest adding an antenna, but i dunno if your Airport extreme has the socket for that.... Hmmm...I'll pass for now

JB

do you have a bestbuy or futureshop close by? might be worth it to go buy a new airport extreme just to test it out and see what kind of signal strength you get, and then return it (i think they give you 14 days on computer stuff).

that way you'll know if the problem is your unit or the environment.

Don't really want to go through the hassle of buying something just to test.

Does anyone else have an AEBS? What is your signal strength within 15 feet?

do you have a bestbuy or futureshop close by? might be worth it to go buy a new airport extreme just to test it out and see what kind of signal strength you get, and then return it (i think they give you 14 days on computer stuff).

that way you'll know if the problem is your unit or the environment.

Kind of a dick move, no?

Don't really want to go through the hassle of buying something just to test.

Does anyone else have an AEBS? What is your signal strength within 15 feet?

I have a last gen Time capsule. Would be the same radio. I'll check when I can and let you know

i have the latest time capsule. the signal drops to around 50% when i'm in the next room (even when i'm right next to it i only get 75%).

however when i test my connection speed with speedtst.net there isn't a significant difference (however my ISP connection is nowhere near yours. 80 down and 8 up is impressive)

Kind of a dick move, no?

if he liked the new one he could potentially keep it. the salesmen at FS & BB have pretty much told me i could do similar things with monitor adapters (buy it to test, bring it back after if you don't want to keep it).

I have a last gen Time capsule. Would be the same radio. I'll check when I can and let you know

Awesome, thanks.


i have the latest time capsule. the signal drops to around 50% when i'm in the next room (even when i'm right next to it i only get 75%).

however when i test my connection speed with speedtst.net there isn't a significant difference (however my ISP connection is nowhere near yours. 80 down and 8 up is impressive)

That's the biggest issue - the drop in speed. It's really annoying! Haha.

We seem to be spoiled all of a sudden here in Halifax. Bell Aliant's Fibre is 30/30 and I believe you can upgrade to 70/30 and up to 250!

I'm with Eastlink and they have 40/5, upgradable to 80/8 or 200/10.

That's the biggest issue - the drop in speed. It's really annoying! Haha.

We seem to be spoiled all of a sudden here in Halifax. Bell Aliant's Fibre is 30/30 and I believe you can upgrade to 70/30 and up to 250!

I'm with Eastlink and they have 40/5, upgradable to 80/8 or 200/10.

have you tested more than once & at different times of the day?

For instance i'm with Rogers (Extreme) in Toronto, and it's listed as 28 down, 1 up. But i only get around that speed on off hours. Right now (around prime time) i'm getting around 20 down.

istumbler reporting ~ 68% and I'm about 9 ft away from the TC.

I'm about 32 feet diagonally (yea Pythagoras!!!). And my signal is about 65% with a SNR of 33 using a current AE and my MBP. Thats the b/g signal. The a/n is far worse (43% and 19). This is also through a wooden floor and some metal heating pipes etc. The signal gets into the 90's and SNR above 40 the same room, a few feet away.

5 Ghz is pretty much useless at penetrating walls.

I need to spend a bit of time optimizing my network, maybe moving my Airport Extreme to another part of the house. It's currently in a computer room on the 2nd floor and the living room is on the 1st floor on the other side of the house, the Apple TV has been struggling lately.