How to test my Airport signal strength?

Hi,
My Airport icon in the top menu bar of my Mac Pro has always been at full bars, but recently it has started dropping, sometimes to 3 bars and sometimes none.
Is there an application or something i can download that tests speed and strenght etc?
I'm running 10.5.7 and recently switched to a BT home hub but i have a sneaky feeling the issues have come after the 10.5.7 update?

After updating to 10.5.7, it killed my wireless connection. At 10.5.5 I was averaging 5 Mb/s download, after the 10.5.7 update it tops out at 1-2 Mb/s and very, very unstable connection. The internet times-out on page almost every 5 mins.
I have tested this thoroughly running different clone backups, adding airport utility updates, etc. Nothing has worked, so for now I have been forced to revert back to 10.5.5
Test your connection under different versions if you can. Use speedtest.net or speakeasy.net
This really s ucks though, cause I want to upgrade my video card which requires 10.5.7. Slow internet or faster graphics If apple doesn't fix this, I the only fix is going wired.

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I just purchased a wireless connection for my Tivo but the signal strength from my airport express does not allow the tivo to load data. How do I increase the signal strength?

I just purchased a wireless N network adapter for the TIVO premier and am trying to use my apple airport express to connectand it is in the another room. I am only receiving one bar of strength on my network adapter. How can I raise the signal strength of my airport express.

There are several things that might help, not all of which would be feasible depending on your situation: (1) Move the TiVo unit and AirPort Express closer together. (2) Use another AirPort Express to "extend" the network of the first AirPort Express. Put the second AirPort Express half way between the first AirPort Express and the TiVo unit. (3) In the general case, Power-Line equipment might allow the TiVo unit to get a good signal, but it's likely that the Ethernet port of your AirPort Express is probably connected to your broadband modem, so that solution wouldn't work for you. (4) Changing the band or channel that the AirPort Express is using might help. If the TiVo unit is connection on the 5 GHz band, try one of the three-digit channels, which are allowed to use higher power.

Airport signal strength varies a lot

On my Mac Mini the Airport signal strength goes up and down. Sometimes I have 4 bars, sometimes 0. Also I often lose the connection when I restart or wake up the computer and then I have to do something manually to connect, either turn off and on airport or go into airport preferences and click apply or manually reconnect by typing in the network name and password.
I have a closed/invisible Airport network with WPA2 Personal encryption. I have an Airport Extreme on the ground floor and extend the network by an Airport Express on the first floor. The Mac Mini is situated about half a meter from the Express.
I don't have this problem with any of my other 4 Macs. The other Macs are usually on the ground floor but when I take my laptop up to the living room where the Mini and Express are I also get good signal strength even though I'm further away from the Express than the Mini is.

So the problem is that you're not getting/staying connected now, when you had no problems with 10.5.6 before?
There was an update for AirPort and AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule firmware in mid-2009 --> http://support.apple.com/kb/dl849
There was also a March 2009 update for AirPort Client on 10.5.6, but I would assume that you got that one already.
The 'bars' on the menubar AirPort icon may not be most reliable method of judging your wireless connection. When you have AirPort turned on, click on Option + the AirPort icon to see the RSSI
There are specialized programs that provide far more complete information, including channel, signal strength, and noise level of wireless routers in the vicinity.
www.koingosw.com offers a 15-day free trial of AirRadar. I'm a licensed user of AirRadar 1.2.9. It gives a better picture of a wireless connection.

Weak Airport signal strength after MacBook upgrade to OS 10.5

Today, I finally upgraded my 13-inch 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook (2 gig RAM, 160 gig HD) to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. After using install and archive to install the new system, I noticed the Airport signal was down to three bars from the usual four. After completing all the system updates to bring it up to 10.5.8, its still receiving only three bars. We're using a 2Wire wireless DSL modem for Internet service. I was getting the full four bars before the system upgrade, and my wife's 14" G4 iBook is still getting four bars.
What's going on here? Is there an available fix for this? Or am I doomed to going back to OS 10.4.11?
Roger

rmatile wrote:
Today, I finally upgraded my 13-inch 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook (2 gig RAM, 160 gig HD) to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. After using install and archive to install the new system, I noticed the Airport signal was down to three bars from the usual four. After completing all the system updates to bring it up to 10.5.8, its still receiving only three bars. We're using a 2Wire wireless DSL modem for Internet service. I was getting the full four bars before the system upgrade, and my wife's 14" G4 iBook is still getting four bars.
Those bars are only an approximation of Wi-Fi signal strength. In Mac OS X 10.5 if you pull down the AirPort menu bar item while holding down an option key you'll see a value "RSSI", which is the actual signal strength. If you were using an AirPort base station, you could use AirPort Utility to see actual signal and noise levels.
In Mac OS X 10.4 I don't think that option key trick works, but you should be able to use the AirPort command-line utility, as describe in the electronic book "Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network" (http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/airport-n):
- Launch Terminal
- Type this command:
cd /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/\
Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/
- Type this command:
./airport -s
You'll see the "RSSI" value in one of the columns. If you compare the "RSSI" values for both OS versions, you may find the "RSSI" values more similar than the AirPort menu bar arcs suggest.
I have no financial connection to Take Control Books.

Time Capsule/Airport Signal Strength

I have a Time Capsule serving as cable modem ethernet router for wireless internet connection to my MacBook Pro. It works fine all over the house including upstairs at the other end of the place. When I go outside (comparable overall distance), I lose almost all signal strength. I assume it is a brick and mortar problem. What can I do to boost the signal from the TC so that I can connect outside?

Welcome to the discussions!
Take a look at the AirPort Express to extend your wireless network, and if you elect to go that route, be prepared to experiment with different locations for the Express to optimize the signal strength outside.
If the room adjacent to the outside area has a good signal indoors, that might be a good starting location for the Express.
Use your laptop to get an idea of signal strength as you move around the house. Just hold down the option key while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen and look for the Transmit Rate.
You can also download iStumbler, www.istumbler.net to provide even more details about your network in terms of signal strength and noise.

Incredibly Variable Airport Signal Strength

I'm getting very inconsistant Airport reception on my 17" MBP, which is on my desk - about 12 meters from a Netgear Router.
As I type this message I get two bars, three bars, no bars, four bars, two bars, (all within 10 seconds). My wife's Mac mini (which is approx 3ft closer to the router) has a rock solid four bars.
Looking at the signal strength in "Internet Connect" the signal's all over the place - from 0% to about 80% and all points in-between. And randomly it drops out altogether for a moment or two.
I moved the router and changed the antenna for a directional one (which improved the average strength of the signal but not the stability); I've tried different channels; I've tried facing the MBP in different directions.
It's a little annoying, 'cause if I hit a website just as the signal drops out I get a "not connected to the internet" message.
Is this just a quirk of signals strength and atmospheric pressure? Or is there something fundamental that I've missed? We don't have a microwave, and I can't think of any other sources of inteference. And to get the router any closer would require quite a bit of rewiring - which seems to be somewhat contrary to the whole point of wireless networking!
Shall I give it up and run a cable from my wife's computer?

b and g are both on 2.4GHz although b seems impacted more by cordless phones and other devices for some reason.
I just upgraded my home net to g and the signal on this MBP is much more consistent (solid 4 bars mostly) and the range is 20-30 feet better.
One thing I did notice before upgrading was that Airport was more 'robust' when I turned off Bluetooth ...

Airport signal strength seems way too low...possible for antenna to break?

Hi,
I have a 17" aluminum Powerbook 1.33Ghz that came with built in Airport. I use it on wireless networks both at home and at work. In recent weeks, it's seemed like my connection drops a lot or I have a hard time getting a solid signal.
Right now at work I'm sitting about 15 feet and through a sheetrock wall from a Cisco Aironet 1200 wireless access point, which I understand to be a quality item...MacStumbler is showing a signal strength in the low 20s, but can sometimes jump up to around 50. It seems like the Airport menubar icon used to always show full strength at work, but lately usually shows 2-3 bars.
At home I get a signal strength in the 30s when parked right next to my Airport Extreme, and have trouble losing connection in other parts of the house. An older Powerbook one floor above gets a signal strength in the 60s.
I'm considering the following options:
(a) Take Powerbook apart and see if the antenna has somehow become detached from the Airport card.
(b) Buy an upgraded antenna for the Powerbook from QuickerTek.com
(c) Open an AppleCare ticket, but I hate to send the PB to Texas even for a few days.
or is there something else I should be doing? or is this normal?

From reading your post it sounds like Interference.
In a commercial building you will find that the Metal Studs used in the construction, will and can Interfere, not to mention Metal Bookcases. Just about anything metal.
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1497111
Note the 3rd paragrapgh
This of course doesn't rule out that you could have a loose Antenna connection, or your Airport Extreme Card could have become unseated, or loose as well.
Remember the use of microwave, wireless phones and any number of other things can cause Interference.
Cheers Don

AirPort signal strength variation/ loss

Our 17" Powerbook G4 (Aluminum) started having connectivity problems with the AirPort Extreme base station last fall. This roughly coincided with AirPort Update 2005-001 and Security Update 2005-009. There was no change in behavior of other wireless machines (e.g. iMac G4, Powermac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors).
Often, signal strength is full after a restart or awake from sleep. After some period of use (minutes) signal strength drops markedly (at the same location, without any change in orientation of the PowerBook). Often, the machine then loses network connectivity
At other time, there just is no signal strength. This is at locations as close as 10 feet from the base station.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. It used to be nice to use the PowerBook wireless, but now is generally an uncertain and unpleasant experience. My recent AppleCare experiences have made me somewhat pessimistic about the value of investing time with them.

This has been confirmed as a hardware problem, apparently at the lid hinge.
Being addressed via AppleCare.
The hardware problem was verified fairly rapidly at the Lenox Square Genius Bar, who authorized the repair. Booting from another startup disk, for example, rapidly ruled out any software problem.
Telephone AppleCare, on the other hand, took substantially more time with no real results. Not that it was a waste of time, but it certainly was not productive and did not isolate the problem (hardware vs. software vs. base station vs. local reception).

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Hello,
I'm a french student and I have exactly the same problem as you.
It has been 3 weeks I'm searching, but I have not results.
Today, do you have the solution????? If yes, can you tell me something about that??
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The internal airport is way better, you'll be a lot happier. I had problems recently when I updated from 10.5.5 to 5.7, but after upgrading my wireless router firmware, I've actually got a stronger signal than before~
People having issues, should check with their router as well. It's not always the card, even if a different computer is getting a great connection. I think it's a case by case kinda thing.
Anyway Highly recommended

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Cable modems need a complete reset whenever the device that is connected to them is changed. Power down the modem and pull the battery if it has one. Power down the rest of your system as well.
Wait at least 30 minutes (some ISPs take much longer for their equipment to reset) and power the modem back up. Let it run for at least 5 minutes. Then power up the Extreme and let it run a few minutes, then finally your computers.
Any difference?

How to improve signal strength of TC ?

I have replaced my Linksys WRT54G Router yesterday with my TC 1TB.
Setup was a little bit confusing and not Apple like as i expected. However i got TC running with the following setup:
-) the TC is connected to my broadband modem and my main imac via ethernet. TC stands on the floor in the corner of our dinning room.
-) via airport i connected the MB and my second imac
-) Airport connection is set to "802.11n only 2,4 Ghz" with 22 Mbit/s
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Channel selection can make all the difference, 1 , 6 and 11 are the most widely used by professionals because they have less interference from the other channels. But they are widely used so two AP's can interfere with each other if they are on the same channel and in range of your devices. 2-5, 7-10 are garbage channels, too much interference (can tell from a good sniffer card)...stick with 1 or 11 which ever is less used (or not at all) in your area and mount it as high as you can and centered in the area you are providing coverage for. I found the TC uses its auto-setting pretty well, I have a lot of channels 1 and 6 in my neighborhood and it has always been on 11 when I check its status.
Also walls, doors, metal, windows, coordless phones (2.4Ghz) or 5Ghz) and microwaves all cause signal loss and interference. The density of the material will attribute how much loss there is so yes, brick will cause signal loss.

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Hello Bradley,
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http://www.ni.com/white-paper/14311/en
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http://www.ni.com/usrp/
http://www.ni.com/white-paper/8787/en
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I called Apple and was unfortunately disconnected but they advised me to reset the router by disconnecting it and plugging it back in after ten seconds. Still no luck. I even tried connecting through the cable that is normally connected to the desktop, still nothing.
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iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Megz, first welcome to the discussions,
Here are the recommended steps to regain your connection.
If you have not changed or fiddled with any of your settings.
1st Check and make sure all of your cables are good and plugged in all the way.
2nd, Shut your computer clear OFF.
3rd, Pull the AC adapter from your Internet Service Providers Modem.
Next Pull the AC adapter from your Router.
You will have to wait a minimum of 5 minutes.
Next In Order.
Plug back in your Internet Service Providers Modem after your 5 minute wait.
Now you need to wait untill it has regained it's signal from your ISP's server, to your modem, this normally takes a minute or so, or untill you have all the lights (normally 3).
Next you can plug back in your Router and repeat the process of waiting for all the lights again, about a minute.
Now you can turn your computer back on and you should be good.
If not, repeat the process and wait a little longer.
If there is a problem it is normally caused by not waiting untill you have re-aquired the signal form your ISP's Server. Good Luck Don

How to test my Airport signal strength?

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