Wi-Fi Frequency
- Thread starter matty1990
- Start date
It's a relatively simple concept, the shortest explanation is the channel is the actual frequency. So for a standard wireless router using the 2.4GHz band, channel 1 is 2.412GHz, 2 is 2.417GHz, etc. Each channel is 5MHz apart but you get interference if you are use 2 channels that are close together (need 25MHz between channels to prevent it).
In the interest of keeping it simple, don't worry about the other bands available for wifi (i.e. 3.6GHz and 5GHz). The concept is the same.
If you aren't having any trouble with your network you are probably ok, but sometimes people's cordless phones or microwaves interfere with the default channel on a router (most routers come set for channel 6) and you need to change it to not lose the signal when the phone, microwave, etc is in use.
In the interest of keeping it simple, don't worry about the other bands available for wifi (i.e. 3.6GHz and 5GHz). The concept is the same.
If you aren't having any trouble with your network you are probably ok, but sometimes people's cordless phones or microwaves interfere with the default channel on a router (most routers come set for channel 6) and you need to change it to not lose the signal when the phone, microwave, etc is in use.
AdmnPower
VIP Member
Sometimes newer wireless routers have an automatic mode which will choose the best available channel based on what it sees of other networks in the area. Microwaves tend to create background noise across the entire 2.4 ghz spectrum so you're not really going to be able to get away from that kind of interference by changing channel. The following graphic might help you get an idea of how it works.
http://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/images/tech-topics/dsss.gif
http://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/images/tech-topics/dsss.gif