No-one seems to use 802.11a!?

Hey,

I'm looking for a wireless router for my home usage. I want to hook up my desktop pc via ethernet cable to the router, connect the cable internet to the router and use the laptop's inbuilt 802.11a/g/b.

I've been considering the Netgear WGU624. However, I've read that you may need some special cards to utilise all the features of this router. Also, there are apparently some overheating problems.

Could anyone confirm/deny this? Also, if there are any other recommendations for 802.11a/g routers, please inform me.

 

Guide on the top of this forum or there is a link in the sig for a "What router to buy".

 

Thanks, but I've already read the review. It was very good but unfortunately, they do not mention any 802.11a/g routers. They all seem to utilise the 802.11g/b of just plain 802.11g.

 

Are you in need of A? What do you plan on doing wireless?

 

I'm not realy sure whether I need 802.11a - I just thought that it may be the way to go for the future. Also, the 5GHz band should experience less interference.

I intend to use the network for gaming, sharing cable internet and also files.

 

What is between the wireless computers and soon to be new router?

 

The desktop pc - I intend to connect it via ethernet cable to the router.

 

No, like any walls or appliances? This is between the router and where ever you plan on using your laptop.

 

Sorry - There are wood walls, furniture and appliances. I intend to use it in my house.

 

Wouldn't a 5GHz band reduce the range?

 

Jomer,

I use my Netgear G router and I get range all the way into my Garage and still get around 30+ Mbps. The is through my internal walls...the brick external walls and the signal should go through my kitchen with all the appliances. It shouldn't be that bad for you.

 

I'm sorry, but I can't seem to find where within the "Notebook Buying Guide" the 5GHz band is incorporated.

 

Thanks USAFdude02. What Netgear router do you have? Also, what do you use your network for?

 

I thought 802.11a had limited range (compared to 802.11b) because of it's 5Ghz bandwidth range and is only used exclusively in businesses for that reason.

 

On some parts of campus, a is still used, but a majority of it is g.

 

Thanks for raising the problem of limited range with the 802.11a. Since then, I've done some more research and confirmed this limited range with the 802.11a. Apparently, this standard was created around the same time as the 802.11b as shown in the link below.

http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wireless80211/a/aa80211standard.htm

From all this, I think I'll probably stick to 802.11g/b wireless routers. I've read Nickspohn's review guide which gives me a detailed outline of the various routers available.

I was wondering whether anyone could post experiences they've had with recent routers they have purchased.

 

I think 802.11a will cut through ticker cement and rebar walls much better then "g." But if you just have wood walls then "g" is fine. The wavelength of wireless a is much shorter than g, thus reducing the range (ask mentioned earlier). 5ghs vs 2.4. However in most cases the 5 ghz "a" won't recieve interference from other devices such as 2.4ghz phones, and other devices. G is more commonly used so go with G, unless you have many other 2.4 devices that might interfear with it. Sticking with the 802.11/b/g is always a good choice. Hope you get yoursef a nice router.

 

Any router can go through a cement wall. 5Ghz doesn't do a thing when it comes to objects like that. Cordless Phones, yes. Appliances, yes.

Your better off just getting a G router. G routers don't have much interference and i know that from experience. If there is a cordless phone right by a router, it will literly kill the signal when the phone rings.
There are channel settings on the router you can change the eaither kick the GHz up slightly or decrease. They are channels Mainl 1-11.
G will work for you just fine.

Can you answer my question please also?

Meaning, what will be between the router and the laptop.
Thats an important question we will know if you need A or G.

 

Thanks heaps for your expertise nickspohn. As I said earlier in the post, I have wooden walls, furniture and appliances - just a single story house.

I think that you've basically sold the "g" wireless routers to me. Looking at your reviews, I am now considering the Netgear WPN824. Do you have any recommendations/flaws for this router? Or do you have any other routers which you recommend from experience or knowledge?

 

A lot of routers are the same exact thing almost. When i would byuy a router, i would go by th brand. Just look for a Linksys or Netgear router and pick one that is nicely set in your price range but at the same time, not to cheap.

 

This is FAR from true... I had a D-Link wireless G router... and was getting a very weak Signal in the back room, about 30 feet away from the router, and I was getting 2/5 bars. When I walked out the front door... there was little or no signal going through the cement wall... and the router was only 20-30 feet away! A friend sudgested that I get a Belkin Pre-N, Mimo (Multiple in, Multiple out) routher. I got it! It now gets 5/5 anywhere in the house!! What a difference. The Belkin puts out a whole variety of different frequencies that cut right through walls, where the D-Link could nver dream of getting through.

 

That is what I love about my Netgear...not only that, but I get not interference from my phones which are 2.4Ghz. I also have a bunch of other electronics and I get no interference. It is great!

 

Wait, this turned into signal when were debating over a Frequency. Of course the Netgear Mimo router goes further because it even advertises a way better signal. You can't compare 2 completely different routers. One has a better signal and the other one doesn't.

Also, it would be better if you read my whole sentance.

I was referring to frequency anyway.

There is just nothing to fight over with so lets not argue which i do not want to to.

 

Dictionary.com
Hertz: A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second

5ghz is a frequency.

Generally, with the same power output, if you increase the frequency you will shorten the range. A 5ghz band will be more stable because there is a higher density of radio waves in the vicinity. The higher the frequency the more stuff the wave can penetrate. I mean, look at high frequency gamma rays, those things need to hit lead to be stopped.

I think its really easy to understand if you just look at AM and FM radio. AM sounds horrible but you can get it out in the boonies...FM which is stereo cuts out only tens of miles away from its source.

 

True Lost Cause,

What frequency is Cement on again?

Cement may block the signal by a little bit. But it won't kill it like a cordless phone.

 

nickspohn... but the 5 Ghz does make a difference! Anyone who knows anything about different frequencies of waves could tell you that the 5 Ghz goes through walls better then 900 mhz or 2.4 Ghz. The 900 Mhz will get the farthest range, and is best when little or nothing is blocking it. the 2.4 Ghz isn't too bad through walls, but it is the "inbetween" frequency, and does quite well overall. This is the same with routers... like I said before... The Mimo (That puts out a whole varity of frequencies to get the maximum performance) goes through walls the best and also has very good range.... the Mimo routers are like a win / win situation... There the best all around routers.

 

Ok, you need to understand something. There's a thing called channels that you can change minorly on 2.4 to make it less interfering to other devices. First you said a 5.0GHz can go through a cement wall, which it can and so can 2.4GHz. A bunch of walls can bring down the signal on 2.4, but it still can a little on 5.0GHz. The one great thing about 5GHz is that it doesn't interfere with electronic devices. As Cordless Phones, Kitchen Aplliances, and so on. But you can change the channel on G devices, and that does help. I see no point in getting A unless you have the money, and what the latest technology. But i would just go with G because its cheaper and it has a longer signal range. Im shocked at my G router has i can see my wireless network from 500ft away.
Overall, cement will effect the signal by a minor bit, but it just won't kill like you said when you went outside your house.
Don't forget your wireless card plays a role to in it all.

 

okay, so i am about to get a new wireless router, and i have read a few places that 802.11a uses less power on mobile devices. has anyone noticed this?

 

If range is what you are looking for I highly recomend the Linksys SRX routers, even with a regular, non SRX wireless card there is a significant improvement in range.

 

Rnge will be lower with A routers. Remember G and A have the same speeds, but i would on;y get A if you are in situation where you have a lot of metal structures/objects, and electronics around since A really avoids those.

 

The higher the radio frequency, the greater the attentuation through solid objects and water. Hence, disregarding interference from other transmitters and given the same solid objects, a 802.11g router will have a greater effective range than a 802.11a device.

Also, MIMO devices do not "put out a whole varity of frequencies to get the maximum performance" - they only transmit/receive on one frequency at a time (the selected channel). Essentially, MIMO achieves it's greater range via multi-path reception techniques i.e. summing direct and reflected radio waves (of the same origin and frequency) into one stronger signal.

Regards