Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2021 13:35:36 +0200 From: Ralf Mardorf <ralf-mardorf@riseup.net> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Wifi scanner for FreeBSD Message-ID: <20210404133536.4fedf1e0@archlinux> In-Reply-To: <20210404204512.3ba04756@ws1.wobblyboot.net> References: <YGl3fCIhTnbowOVi@c720-r368166.fritz.box> <20210404185713.4d19ea73@ws1.wobblyboot.net> <YGmEVK8zs7caSFon@c720-r368166.fritz.box> <YGmO73%2BMLWl3wyD1@mithril.foucry.net> <20210404204512.3ba04756@ws1.wobblyboot.net>
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On Sun, 4 Apr 2021 20:45:12 +1000, matti k wrote: >https://imgur.com/a/J6HIGpZ It does show "available" networks, but not transmitting capacity. Due to digitalisation of elementary schools in Germany, enforced by the coronavirus pandemic, as somebody working for after school childcare, a teacher and I set up LTE wifi routers and iPads. That a network is displayed, doesn't mean that you get a reliable connection. The school has got 5 routers and IIRC 25 iPads + several other receivers (a digital board, smartphones and a TV). I described my private network and mentioned that "I would be surprised to see it in about a 9 meter distance". Actually it most likely is recognized by devices >= 9 meters away, but it's unlikely usable at this distance. The forums link provided by Matthias, see https://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-questions/2021-April/293682.html mentions why it's a tricky subject. In school those iPads show powerful access to the LTE wifi routers, but often the closest routers isn't usable, while a less close router can be used, at least with a single iPad, dunno if it stands the traffic of all the iPads. The graphic provided by Matthias' Ubuntu based cellphone shows an amazing transmitting capacity spike. It could be important to actually get such information, not only for wifi. Depending on atmospheric condition, there could be e.g. interferences between DVB-T transmitters. Too powerful signals could become a PITA for somebody who wants to watch television, OTOH amateur radio operators might welcome such atmospheric conditions ;). Getting a list without reliable information about the power is quite useless. iPads for example provide a graphic showing 3 lines. Usually 3 and 2 lines are for a good connection and even 1 line still could be reliable. At home 2 lines are ok for me, in school those lines mean absolutely nothing. You could get those lines, but the connection still could be fishy.
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