Auto Wi-Fi channel selection, legal in the UK?

pctech · Mar 26, 2012, 12:42:10

New Netgear router seems to be swapping Wi-fi channel regularly, presumably to avoid interference.

My understanding is you are supposed to use channel 11 as its designated as infrastructure, region in router is set as Europe and there's no option for the UK.

Do I need to fix it to a channel, asking before I have ofcom or council jobsworth come knocking.

Rik · Mar 26, 2012, 12:50:07

Not afaik, Mitch.

pctech · Mar 26, 2012, 12:57:27

I'm sure I'll get a call from our local whiny Lib Dem ~~parasite~~ Councillor should anyone moan.

Ray · Mar 26, 2012, 13:00:38

I agree with Rik, my Draytek is on auto channel and it always seems to default to channel 6. I can detect up to 6 other WiFi networks around here and none of them are on Channel 11.

Ardua · Mar 26, 2012, 13:57:13

Quote from: Ray on Mar 26, 2012, 13:00:38
I agree with Rik, my Draytek is on auto channel and it always seems to default to channel 6. I can detect up to 6 other WiFi networks around here and none of them are on Channel 11.

My FB has Autochannel two-band selection. I have just checked and both the 2.4 and 5GHz channels are set to Channel 1. The 2.4 channel changes frequently but as there are no other 5GHz WLANs in range my 5GHz has never moved from Channel 1. For what it is worth, my router is showing 8 WLANs in range (other than mine). All are BT Homehubs, Fons or Zones. Three are on Channel 6, 3 are on Channel 10, 2 are on Channel 1 and 1 is on Channel 11.

Glenn · Mar 26, 2012, 14:01:04

I'm looking for 5ghz WiFi card for my laptop.

Lance · Mar 26, 2012, 23:19:56

I've had some routers before now which went to channel 13 which I believe is allowed in America.

mervl · Mar 26, 2012, 23:56:03

Two locals here have been using channel 11 for ages. With the strength of a domestic wi-fi router signal do you really see it interfering with local infrastructure networks - what are you thinking of? And as for Ofcom they only act on complaints, and even then not often as anyone who has tried to deal with them can testify, and given it is unlicensed how would they identify your router as causing the interference? No they don't have TV detector vans for routers AFAIK (well, apart from Google, accidentally), and you don't need a licence (well, not for the router, but be careful what you're watching as the BBC or the porno copyright holders might be after you, apparently) either!!

Gary · Mar 27, 2012, 07:37:16

Got a new Router, Mitch?

pctech · Mar 27, 2012, 09:36:50

Yeah, the trusty old DG834G v4 started to lose its grip on the line.

A 2700 worked ok but like to keep that as a backup.

Bought a Zoom IPv6 one but the firewall kept responding to probes so it brought the connection to a halt, raised a ticket with Zoom but heard nothing.

So now using a DGN2200 which I picked up from PC World, it holds on better than the DG834 did and stealths its ports so no port scan issues (wondering if whoever had my IP block before I did was a bit of a net menanace as it does seem to get port scanned rather a lot)

nowster · Mar 27, 2012, 10:29:15

In Europe we're allowed to use channels 1 to 13. In America, it's only 1 to 11.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

pctech · Mar 27, 2012, 10:33:43

Thanks for the link and the info, its set to Eiurope so I can leave it to its own devices then, it keeps swapping but a scan reveals lots of routers round me so no wonder why.