jimpal
Level 1 (70 points)
Apple TV

Q: Does Humidity Affect WiFi Coverage

I have had excellent coverage throughout my home since installing a new Time Capsule last December. Recently, however, coverage in rooms farthest away from the Time Capsule has weakened. SpeedTest results still OK, but I regularly lose connection in these remote rooms now, and streaming Apple Music is less reliable there. Performance still excellent nearer to the TC.

 

We have had extraordinarily hot and humid weather here in Virginia recently. The home is well air-conditioned such that it is cool enough, but humidity levels are undoubtedly higher than other times of year.

 

Has anyone had experience with higher humidity affecting signal strength from the TC? Seems possible. Or am I looking at a new Time Capsule whose signal has weakened in the few months I have had it.

Posted on Aug 5, 2016 1:58 PM

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jimpal

Q: Does Humidity Affect WiFi Coverage

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Astronomy02,

    Astronomy02 Astronomy02 Aug 5, 2016 2:02 PM in response to jimpal
    Level 1 (33 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 5, 2016 2:02 PM in response to jimpal

    I don't think that humidity should affect the strength of TimeCapsule and believe it is probably another factor causing this. I'm not very experienced in this field so sorry I couldn't help any more.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Aug 5, 2016 2:02 PM in response to jimpal
    Level 9 (51,467 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 5, 2016 2:02 PM in response to jimpal

    Radio propagation is weather sensitive, so it might, but further tests would be required to confirm.

  • by jimpal,

    jimpal jimpal Aug 5, 2016 2:14 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (70 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 5, 2016 2:14 PM in response to Csound1

    Thanks for confirming what I thought about radio propagation being sensitive to weather. I think we have all had the experience of radio/TV reception being better in crisp, cold weather than on warm, humid days. I assumed this phenomenon would affect TC wifi propagation as well.

     

    While additional testing certainly will be useful, meanwhile I'm wondering if there is anyone else on this forum who has also seen this kind of degradation of performance due to humid air in the home.

  • by Csound1,Helpful

    Csound1 Csound1 Aug 5, 2016 2:28 PM in response to jimpal
    Level 9 (51,467 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 5, 2016 2:28 PM in response to jimpal

    Although I have never done any formal testing I used to produce shows, many of which used radio for communication. Hot humid days needed more power at the transmitters for reliable results. This option is not available for 802 wifi use because maximum transmit power is legislated and controlled by the FCC.

     

    The only answer is more antenna gain.

  • by lllaass,Helpful

    lllaass lllaass Aug 5, 2016 2:28 PM in response to jimpal
    Level 10 (190,959 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 5, 2016 2:28 PM in response to jimpal

    Not much in your case:

    Temperature seems to be the best explanatory variable for signal strength variation and has a negative, linear effect on signal strength in general, while high relative humidity may have some effect, particularly when temperature is below 0 ◦C.

     

    From:

    https://fedcsis.org/proceedings/2015/pliks/241.pdf

    Signal Strength in Outdoor Wireless Sensor Networks

  • by jimpal,

    jimpal jimpal Aug 5, 2016 2:41 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (70 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 5, 2016 2:41 PM in response to lllaass

    Thanks to both. One of the rooms, which is most affected, requires a wifi path through a short distance outside, where it certainly is hot and humid this time of year here. WiFi was fine in this room until the past, unusually hot, month. Interestingly, my iMac in this "worst" room still maintains an excellent connection, but iPad and Apple TV in the room have the reported problem.

     

    Your responses make me think I am on the right track. This is my first year in this home, and I am still learning what causes what. Looks like things might get better again as summer winds down.