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Rumor · Feb 3, 2010, 09:21 PM

I am looking for a scanner that will tell me what channels the networks in range are using. I have been having some odd drops at home lately and am wondering if it is due to conflicting frequencies.

Anyone use one that they would recommend?

Cold Warrior · Feb 3, 2010, 09:29 PM

system profiler > airport will give you a list, but it doesn't seem to be as comprehensive as the airport drop-down.

Hold option and click the airport menu item. Mouse over any entry and it'll give you detailed info, including signal strength and channel.

Rumor · Feb 3, 2010, 09:45 PM

Nifty tip. Learn something new everyday, eh?

Hmm, networks in range are either 1 or 6. Mine is 11. For a while the drops were only happening to my roommate, then I moved the router. Now they only happen to me. They don't happen often, but are an annoyance. Any suggestions for things to check?

Cold Warrior · Feb 3, 2010, 10:23 PM

is there a microwave near the router or between you and the router?

Rumor · Feb 4, 2010, 07:39 PM

Nope. The nearest electronic device is between 2 1/2 -3 feet away and it is the cable box and 360. However, the drops happen even when they are not on.

Rumor · Feb 4, 2010, 07:56 PM

Hmm, being that it just happened and I am not home, I am beginning to think it is an Airport problem. How would I go about testing this?

ghporter · Feb 4, 2010, 08:15 PM

Go to a Starbucks or other free WiFi hotspot and see if you have dropouts there.

I take it this is with your 2009 MBP?

Rumor · Feb 4, 2010, 08:36 PM

It is. My last post was from a public spot, and I posted right after it dropped. It actually dropped between my last posts.

Rumor · Feb 28, 2010, 02:19 PM

Well, I still get odd drops. This isn't located to just my home, but damn near everywhere I go.

Two places pulled a self assigned IP, which was odd cause I have been there before. One I just turned Airport off then back on, and it was fine. School pulls a self assigned IP occasionally, I usually can get it to work by looking at the IP my phone is pulling, then just manually change my MBP to something around that number.

Anyhow, the random drops is the real problem. I am still under Applecare, so I was thinking of taking it in. However, don't they require that the problem be recreated? If so, is there some way I can show proof of the drops without having to wait for it too happen?

Cold Warrior · Feb 28, 2010, 02:52 PM

It might be in the system logs. Search for airport, dhcp or en1 to find messages showing repeated disconnects and reconnects.

Rumor · Mar 1, 2010, 08:38 PM

I am not really sure how to check the logs.

Also, yesterday I was plugged in and it was dropping then to. Perhaps there is something installed that is causing issues?