Selecting a channel

**Brian Szemon** · 03-20-12, 01:54 PM

Hi I know I should pick channels 1,6,or 11 but not having any device other then my ps3 I cant run a channel scanner. I have no idea what my neighbors wifi's channels are should I just leave my routers channel on auto as it is always changing wifi channels my guess it's got a built in scanner I don't know if thats true it's a cheep belkin N150 or should I just go for a shot in the dark and pick one of the 3 channels?

**RaisinCain** · 03-20-12, 03:39 PM

I use channel 10 for G and channel 161 for N (dual band router obviously) and have had absolutely no problems.

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 03-21-12, 08:08 AM

Are you having problem with it? Commonly...they'll default to "auto", or 6. Auto sometimes doesn't work too well...if you're having problems try ch 1 or ch 11. You only want those 3...1, 6, or 11 because channel width for 2.4 is 20 MHz (22 technically) and the channels are separated 5 MHz apart from each other so you always have overlap of 2 channels on either side of what you select. Meaning...if you're on Ch 6...you're also crossing over 2 to each side....a little on ch 5, a little on ch 4, and a little on ch 7, and a little on ch 8. So if you pick an overlapping channel like ch 10...and a neighbor is on ch 6...you're still overlapping with them a bit on ch 8. So clearly for cleanest breaks from neighbors thus best performance for you...stick with the proper standards...1, 6, or 11 for non-overlapping channels here in the US. Footnote....there is a newer G standard with 4x non overlapping channels since they can go up to ch 14..but not in the US...so they do 1,5,9, and 13.

**Brian Szemon** · 03-21-12, 09:18 AM

What about the channels 1,4,6,8,11? I have noticed when on auto my router is likely to be on one of these 5 channels but never picking one and staying with it. I have it set on 8 right now and don't seem to have dropped connections when running netflix on my ps3. I guess the only way to know for sure is to try and get a friend to come over with a laptop and run insidder or netstumbler to scan the area. I do have 10-15 networks in range of my ps3 but only 4-5 of them are strong signals if I keep getting dropped signals I will shutdown the wireless and run LAN cable like we had todo in the old days.

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 03-21-12, 09:39 AM

Well, ch 4 and 8 would be overlapping channels, and not ideal...based on the explanation I gave above.
If your PS3 is dropping..it could be neighboring channels. Hard to say without lots of other information. If you don't have a laptop to run some wireless survey software with...do you have a smart phone? I have a Droid..and there's a free app called "WiFi Analyzer" (I'm sure there are tons of other free wifi utilities). It scans and products details of all wireless stuff it finds.
Is your wireless secured? If not..maybe some kid next door is latching on and pounding the crap out of your connection downloading p2p/torrent crap.
Does the PS2 have some preference for security or connection settings?

If you do heavier internet stuff....it's usually desirable to get a stronger performing router..one with a faster processor and lots of RAM to be able to support many concurrent connections. A good router chart here with lots of reviews and benchmarks:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar

And of course..if you game a lot..nothing beats a solid connection. I have a very strong wireless network at my house, my firewall/network rack is in my basement..as well as my wireless access point. 3,600 sq ft 3 story house...and great wireless coverage and performance all around it. But my gaming rig...up in my office on the second floor, I have using ethernet over powerline adapters down to my router in the basement. For my online first person shooter games...nothing beats a copper connection.

**Brian Szemon** · 03-21-12, 10:55 AM

Good advice tested out ch8 and get a very strong connection to netflix geting the maximum bitrate (X-High) and in FPS gameing mostly BFBC2 on the ps3 im geting low latancy around 35-45ms or 50-100ms if im connected with pepole from around the globe. The cable HSI in our are sucks ping time from 80-170-200ms The dsl I have is only 6mbps but has a better latancy not more then 35-45ms within the usa. If I were togo wired agin you have a sugestion on a good router?

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 03-22-12, 05:33 AM

Suggestions are in that chart above...lots of great ones there. I have an older Cisco e3000..still going strong, can find online for under 60 bucks these days.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124419