Best place to position wireless router

s999 · 09-02-2006, 14:29

I heard that you shouldn't position your wireless router next to microwaves or fridges.

And I also heard that you shouldn't position it near metal...

Does that include copper pipes? Cuz the place that I am thinking of putting it is right next to a wall that has 5 copper pipes running up it.

09-02-2006, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by s999

Does that include copper pipes? Cuz the place that I am thinking of putting it is right next to a wall that has 5 copper pipes running up it.

Expect a 'dead zone' which extends from the router to behind the pipes, as the copper will absorb the radio signals.

If the pipes are in an outside wall, then this may not be a huge problem, but the influence of the copper pipes could also affect the fields strength of the signal elsewhere.

Avoid putting radio trasmitting/receiving devices near metal objects, as the metal gets in the way of the signal.

s999 · 09-02-2006, 14:38

Is it best to position your router somewhere high (eg the attic).... or somewhere low (ie downstairs)...... for the best distribution all around the house?

danielf · 09-02-2006, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by s999

Is it best to position your router somewhere high (eg the attic).... or somewhere low (ie downstairs)...... for the best distribution all around the house?

Why don't you start out by placing it where it is convenient, and only start thinking about other positions if you find out the signal strength is insufficient? (Or have you already done this?)

handyman · 09-02-2006, 14:59

I have Placed mine in the loft, I have both antenna vertical although orthers have 1 horizontal. Depends on the layout of your house. Mine covers from the loft to the ground floor and the granny flat at the rear which is 10m away from the house.

09-02-2006, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by s999

Is it best to position your router somewhere high (eg the attic).... or somewhere low (ie downstairs)...... for the best distribution all around the house?

As danielf points out - start with a convenient place. If that happens to be kinda central etc. then that would probably be good.

The aerials on these things can usually be moved, hence allowing a range of signal patterns to be created.

Just remember that when the aerial is pointing vertical, the signal field is actually mostly horizontal and vice versa.

s999 · 10-02-2006, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaredWebWarrior

Expect a 'dead zone' which extends from the router to behind the pipes, as the copper will absorb the radio signals.

If the pipes are in an outside wall, then this may not be a huge problem, but the influence of the copper pipes could also affect the fields strength of the signal elsewhere.

Avoid putting radio trasmitting/receiving devices near metal objects, as the metal gets in the way of the signal.

^ The signal travels in a straight line doesn't it?

The room behind the wall that has the 5 copper pipes running up it isn't gonna have a computer in it. The route to every other room (in a straight line) has no metal object obstructing it as far as I know. So I'm guessing that this will be ok.

altis · 10-02-2006, 21:40

Lorra useful info here:

http://www.solwiseforum.co.uk/downlo...d-the-home.pdf

jrhnewark · 11-02-2006, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by s999

Is it best to position your router somewhere high (eg the attic).... or somewhere low (ie downstairs)...... for the best distribution all around the house?

As said, try somewhere convenient first. If that's not good enough, height is everything - so the attic would be good. Again, try the aerial at different polarities - horizontal might be better, vertical might be better. It depends. And don't forget to position the aerials on laptops etc. the same way.