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Escaping WiFi Interference In The Modern Dorm Room?

j.cherney writes "I recently moved my son up to a dorm at Michigan State University. We set up a wireless router (D-link) and everything worked well-until the rest of the dorm moved in. Now he is getting intermittent outages which I am quite sure is related to the large numbers of cordless phones on the 2.4ghz frequency. So my question to everyone is: Is there anything that I can do to make wireless work in this environment? Obviously I'm not willing to buy everyone in the dorm a new cordless phone! Is one brand more resistant to interference than another? Is there a filter than can be installed? Or is he S.O.L.?"

14 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Suggestions... by redhotchil · · Score: 4, Funny

    For the college student, 2 is pretty much the only option available.

  2. Re:Suggestions... by hackwrench · · Score: 5, Funny

    Build and turn on a jammer. Everyone else will go buy phones on a different frequency. Then the frequency will be free for you to use your network with.

  3. Re:Faraday Cage? by WarPresident · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you have a microwave you know exactly how to build one. The freq. that a microwave functions at is damn near spot on 2.4 GHz so all you need is several rolls of metal window screen where the mesh size is the same as your microwave.Oh Yah, you also need to make sure that it is well grounded, you can tie directly to the ground lug of any triple prong outlet, or steam pipe, etc.

    This also has the advantage of identifying appliances that have ungrounded "hot" metal cases by electrocuting anyone touching the metal case and the wall at the same time. Comes in handy for party games like "Stick the fork in the toaster."

    --
    Here come da fudge!
  4. 10Base2?!?! by The+Iconoclast · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bah! Back in my day we used ARCNET, Twinax, PLIP, or if we were really lucky, SLIP, and WE LIKED IT!!!

    --
    Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
  5. Re:hmm by walt-sjc · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is that the mode that redirects you to belkin ads randomly?

    sorry, couldn't resist :-)

  6. Back in my day... by bitingduck · · Score: 4, Funny

    We huddled around a 110 baud acousticoupler, and if you read something that was funny the laughing would generate errors in the connection.

  7. Wireless solution. by dabigpaybackski · · Score: 2, Funny
    All the people in my wing make fun of me and think I'm weird for doing this, but I'll share it with you and maybe you'll be one of the ones who understand.

    I've mastered a new technique employing "direct transcranial wireless transmission." All you need is about a 12' lenghth of aluminum foil, two coat hangers, and a pair of 9v batteries. I just added an extra battery yesterday to boost the signal and now I'm getting 1.1 Mb signals--wait...they're transmitting--from Andromeda, and also Tau Ceti. They...tell me their plans. If you promise not to tell them, I can send you the schematics after I take my meds.

    --
    "OH SHIT, THERE'S A HORSE IN THE HOSPITAL!"
  8. use a freakin' ethernet cable by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My god, you live in a *dorm* and you need wireless networking?

    You're the wifi version of the idiots I lived next to in college with GIGANTIC STEREOS jammed into little 8ftx8ft rooms. Did you know ALL music sounds the same when filtered through the low-pass filter known as "the walls"? I didn't!

    Yeah, when you're in college, you're king of your world and entitled to everything. Whatever.

    Besides, with the wireless, you're just letting that freaky Linux guy next door who wears a cloak see what kind of porn you like to hit it with.

    You don't need a cordless phone either, by the way. You live in a damn CLOSET!

    (Oops, this was the guy's dad. Adjust pronouns appropriately.)

  9. What's that dad? You're breaking up *pshhht* by abdulla · · Score: 2, Funny

    Have you ever thought he might be faking it so he doesn't have to talk to you? Want hime to look after grandma this weekend and suddenly his line drops? Clip the cheeky bugger over the ears, I say.

  10. Nuke the bastards by stinkydog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Remove the magnetron from and old school 1500 wattmicrowave. Mount it in focal point of an old Primestar (or other satellite dish). Install a pistol grip and a trigger and you are good to go. Get a nice long extension cord and sweep the entire dorm with cleansing 2.4ghz waves. As long as you shield you AP before you begin you should be the only one left on the 2.4ghz frequency. Save your rig, it makes a nifty hot dog cooker. One warning, line you shorts with lead before you start so as not to cook your own frank and beans.

    SD

    PS Don't try this anywhere, ever.

    --
    âoeWho knew something as harmless as willful ignorance could end up having real consequences?â
  11. Re:Properly? by shaitand · · Score: 2, Funny

    Like I'm concerned with what is a hassle for you. Sorry but wanting to browse porn in the comfort of your bed isn't a good enough reason for clogging my airwaves.

  12. Re:The cheapest, easiest solution. by linzeal · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why not find the source of the problem and use this on it instead?

  13. Re:Suggestions... by jamesh · · Score: 1, Funny

    OR

    3) spread rumors that you and anyone else with the right equipment can listen to cordless phone conversations in the building. A few additional rumors about 'things you heard while sniffing phone conversations' will also help a bit. Students are a gullible lot.

  14. Re:Suggestions... by tigersha · · Score: 2, Funny

    Reminds me of the time back in the late 80'S where typing PROMPT "Warning: Virus Detected $d$p" on the DOS machines in the computer lab guaranteed that the machine would stay free.

    --
    The dangers of excessive individualism are nothing compared to the oppressiveness of excessive collectivism