Lower frequencies better?

drtsystems · 06-06-2004

With everything going around lately about the FCC approving lower frequencies for WiFi, and being a newbie to radio, I was wondering, are the lower radio frequenciues better? Please don't tell me to seach google and kill me for this, I would like more information. All my cordless phones advertise "POWERFUL 5 GHZ" (well i guess its 5.8 or whatever). I guess lower frequencies go through more, so why is everythign higher freq. is it really flat out worse? Also, when will new wifi come out for the lower freqiences, oe will it not be for consumers. And (without regard to FCC regulations, just curious about this) wouldn't it be fairly easy to modify AP's and wifi cards to run on lower frequencies? Thanks.

Thorn · 06-06-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtsystems

With everything going around lately about the FCC approving lower frequencies for WiFi, and being a newbie to radio, I was wondering, are the lower radio frequenciues better? Please don't tell me to seach google and kill me for this, I would like more information. All my cordless phones advertise "POWERFUL 5 GHZ" (well i guess its 5.8 or whatever). I guess lower frequencies go through more, so why is everythign higher freq. is it really flat out worse? ...

Generally the lower the frequency, the better the penetration. However, the lower the frequency, the less bandwith available. For example, there are current wireless networking devices that work at 900MHz, that penetrate foliage (something that stops a 2.4GHz signal quick) but they top out at about 1 to 2mbs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtsystems

... Also, when will new wifi come out for the lower freqiences, oe will it not be for consumers. ...

From all of the indications I've seen, the new wireless networking gear is designed for wireless ISP use, not consumer use. By the way, it isn't "WiFi." WiFi is a specific branding by the WECA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtsystems

... And (without regard to FCC regulations, just curious about this) wouldn't it be fairly easy to modify AP's and wifi cards to run on lower frequencies?

No. Let me re-phrase that. Hell, no!

Can it be done? Sure, anything is possible if you throw enough money at it, but it would NOT be easy. Not to mention illegal, but you didn't want to hear about the FCC. (You probably don't want to hear about the FCC's huge fines either.

)

For what it's worth, if you are interested in learning about radio, become a ham. There are all sorts of course out there for it, and you can fool around with different frequencies up and down the spectrum. (Including high power in the lower end of the 802.11b) Hams have been doing wireless data networks for years, including coast-to-coast networks.

06-06-2004	#1 (permalink)
drtsystems Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2	Lower frequencies better? With everything going around lately about the FCC approving lower frequencies for WiFi, and being a newbie to radio, I was wondering, are the lower radio frequenciues better? Please don't tell me to seach google and kill me for this, I would like more information. All my cordless phones advertise "POWERFUL 5 GHZ" (well i guess its 5.8 or whatever). I guess lower frequencies go through more, so why is everythign higher freq. is it really flat out worse? Also, when will new wifi come out for the lower freqiences, oe will it not be for consumers. And (without regard to FCC regulations, just curious about this) wouldn't it be fairly easy to modify AP's and wifi cards to run on lower frequencies? Thanks.

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