Ask Slashdot: Why Does Wireless Gear Degrade Over Time?

Posted by timothy on Sunday October 21, 2012 @06:58AM from the indifference-mostly dept.

acer123 writes "Lately I have replaced several home wireless routers because the signal strength has been found to be degraded. These devices, when new (2+ years ago) would cover an entire house. Over the years, the strength seems to decrease to a point where it might only cover one or two rooms. Of the three that I have replaced for friends, I have not found a common brand, age, etc. It just seems that after time, the signal strength decreases. I know that routers are cheap and easy to replace but I'm curious what actually causes this. I would have assumed that the components would either work or not work; we would either have a full signal or have no signal. I am not an electrical engineer and I can't find the answer online so I'm reaching out to you. Can someone explain how a transmitter can slowly go bad?"

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Re:The Hamsters get tired by Alsee · 2012-10-21 08:54 · Score: 5, Funny

The transmitter range isn't decreasing.
It's actually due to the expansion of the universe. It's because your house is getting bigger. You just don't notice it because you are expanding at the same rate. Try going on a diet.
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Re:Signal isn't chaning, the noise floor is by bennomatic · 2012-10-21 08:59 · Score: 5, Funny

And now we all know exactly where you live ;)

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Re:Signal isn't chaning, the noise floor is by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-21 09:37 · Score: 5, Funny

The FBI is not conducting surveillance today, which is why you don't see HotWorkoutPants. See you next week.