RSSI

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Level 1

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RSSI

Hi,

Just bought a new macbook 13" and was concerned about the wireless connection.
I am sitting about 2 meters from the router (netgear DG834NPN) and my connection constantly drops out or goes slow, when looking at my RSSI its always about -45 to -50, i read this is not good.

So any suggestions as to why its so crap?

Cheers
Shannon

macbook 13" 5,2, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 7, 2009 8:05 AM

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Answer 1

kmac1036

Level 4

2,370 points

Jul 7, 2009 11:57 AM in response to shansta

how do you have it set up, are you running in b/g mode?

try running in G only, 54mb/s. the range max or speed boost features never work with macs very well, if at all. restart the router & try again. if you are still having issues, you may be looking at picking up another router.

"+We Recommend using this product with the WPN111, WPN311, or WPN511 RangeMax Wireless Adapters+" from http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833150015

Message was edited by: kmac1036

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Answer 2

shansta Author

Level 1

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Jul 7, 2009 5:52 PM in response to kmac1036

Thanks for your reply.

I have tried using G only, doesn't make a difference. Its not good that i am only sitting 2 meters away from my router now and its weak signal.

Wouldn't an N router be better?

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Answer 3

kmac1036

Level 4

2,370 points

Jul 8, 2009 5:21 AM in response to shansta

can you connect to other networks without issue? if you are having issues with other networks & other routers, then it may be the airport card in the mac.

but if your connection is stable elsewhere except that netgear, then you either have a bad router or the chipset isn't compatible with the wireless card.

I've seen this with netgear before.

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Answer 4

AlanBoyd

Level 1

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Jul 9, 2009 1:21 AM in response to shansta

I was under the impression than an RSSI of -40 to -50 is pretty excellent. Sitting near my airport extreme, I get an RSSI of -60 and it doesn't drop unless I move further away and it reaches -100.

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Answer 5

shansta Author

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Jul 13, 2009 6:18 AM in response to AlanBoyd

OK maybe -50 isnt bad, i thought it was.. I got a new belkin N+ router and has improved to -30..

Does anyone know what the signal should roughly be?

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Answer 6

kmac1036

Level 4

2,370 points

Jul 13, 2009 8:20 AM in response to shansta

I don't normally look at that, I look at the datarate just underneath it.

but here is a white paper on using RSSI: http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/emnets/papers/levisEmnets06.pdf

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Answer 7

dzldan

Level 1

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Aug 24, 2009 7:12 PM in response to shansta

Why not get Apple Extreme for you wirless. Turn off the wireless on your router and use the Extreme. $149. Or use the express, $99. I personally like the Extemes. I have 4 of them and one Express in a network I drive WiFi service to my customers in a RV park. You can even set them up, the base unit, to do the PPPoE so your modem router would be a dumb modem. If you have a modem, cable or DSL, plug the extreme into that with the ethernet cable. They are easy to set up. I cover 5 acres with this setup.

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