how to turn off (and back on when needed), the wireless function on my airport extreme using airport utility. My computer is hardwired through the extreme, but I want to have the ability to turn on and off the wireless signal emitting from the extreme

What version of AirPort Utility do you have?

If you are not sure, open AirPort Utility and click on the AirPort Utility menu in the upper left corner of the screen adjacent to the Apple icon.

Click About AirPort Utility and post back with the Version number that you see there.

airport utility - network - timed access control

just set the timed access control to block wifi capability at all times

just set the timed access control to block wifi capability at all times

This will not turn off the wireless function, as laurenpaul requests, it will simply not allow devices to connect to a wireless network that remains "on" at all times.

airport utility- select the wireless tab

under "network mode" choose OFF

this results in you losing your wifi settings and you would have to enter them again when u want to turn wifi on again

i airport utility 5.6 you can save a profile for OFF and another for ON which u can switch more easilyhere you can see the profiles tab on the bottom of the utility

A user who is asking how to turn off wireless is going to have nightmares trying to learn how to set up and administer Profiles.

I was hoping that laurenpaul will post back to tell us what version of AirPort Utility he/she is using.

What you have for 5.6 is correct, but that will likely be confusing if AirPort Utility 6.1 is what is being used.

Might it be better to wait for a bit more info, so we can provide the options for answers with the correct screenshots for the utility that is being used?

Easy to turn off the Wifi, but a bit more complicated to turn it back on. Here are the screenshots for AirPort Utility 6.1:

To completely turn off the wireless radio signal on the AirPort Extreme......

Open AirPort Utility

Click on the AirPort Extreme icon

Click Edit

Click the Wireless tab at the top of the window

Change the setting for Network Mode to Off

Click Update to save the settings and the AirPort Extreme will restart in about 30 seconds

To turn the wireless function back on, perform the same steps above to reach the Wireless tab

Change the Network Mode to Create a wireless network

Type in the name of your Wireless Network

Set Wireless Security to WPA2 Personal

Enter your wireless password and confirm

Cllick Update to save the settings and the AirPort Extreme will restart in about 30 seconds

If this seem too complicated, there is another possibly simpler option, mentioned previously by alanoconnor, but it will be a setting to either allow wireless devices to connect to your network, or not connect.

This option will not turn off the wireless radio on your AirPort Extreme, the wireless radio will remain on at all times, something that you may not want.

An application called Kismac will show you detailed info on any wifi signals in your home, signal strengths, hidden networks etc......

http://kismac-ng.org/