5 Ghz vs 2.4 Ghz

Question

Howdy
I am currently using a Time Capsule as a router. It is located in my office, which is upstairs. My wife uses her Mac laptop in her office, which is down stairs. Her connection to the internet, which is wireless and through the Time Capsule, is frequently dropped.
I installed iStumbler, and according to it, there are 2 networks, both with the name of our wireless network, running. One is on channel 11, with a signal strength of 88%, at 2.4 Ghz, the second, on channel 149, at 5 Ghz, with a signal strength of 58%. By pressing on the Option key when I click on the signal symbol in the tool bar, I can see that both of our machines are using channel 149.
Is it possible for me to switch both machines to channel 11? I am hoping that by doing so, her machine will no longer drop the signal. And if so, how do I go about it?
Thanks for any and all help.
rlmslo

Answer 1

Welcome to the discussions!
+I installed iStumbler, and according to it, there are 2 networks, both with the name of our wireless network, running.+
That's correct. You have a dual band Time Capsule which is broadcasting the same wireless network name on both the 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band. In theory, computers will automatically connect to the best signal.
+Is it possible for me to switch both machines to channel 11?+
Here, I think you are asking if you can direct your computer(s) to connect to the 2.4 GHz band, correct?
I suggest that you assign a separate name to the 5 GHz network, then you will be able to log onto either the 2.4 GHz network or the 5 GHz network separately.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Click Wireless Network Options
Click the box to enable 5 GHz name and by default, AirPort Utility will simply add "(5 GHz)" to the name of your normal wireless network.
Click Done and then click Update to save your changes.
Click the fan shaped Airport icon at the top of your screen and you will be able to choose either your normal network name, which will be the 2.4 GHz band, or the 5 GHz band if you prefer.
Of course, there is no guarantee that choosing the 2.4 GHz network will result in a better connection if you have a number of obstructions between the Time Capsule and the computer. If that's the case, you may need to look into a device like an AirPort Express to "extend" the wireless signal to provide more uniform coverage or even an ethernet connection using ethernet powerline adapters or installing an ethernet cable.
Please post back on your progress and results.