Airport Extreme channels question

[LondonGooner]

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between which channel to join? How can you tell them apart when it gives you the option to join both (with the same name)?

What's the difference between the 2 channels, which is better?

 

[psxguru]

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between which channel to join? How can you tell them apart when it gives you the option to join both (with the same name)?

What's the difference between the 2 channels, which is better?

If you hold down option while you click on the wifi icon in the menu bar you will see diagnostic info including the channel/frequency.

I used to keep the same name and have the 5Ghz network with the higher preference but it wouldn't always connect to that first depending on conditions.

I now rename my networks slightly differently (I stick the frequency on the end) so I can make sure I'm always on the 5Ghz channel, leaving the 2.4Ghz channel for my iphone and ps3.

I keep the 5Ghz channel as 802.11n and the 2.4Ghz as 802.11b/g/n.
You can see more channel combinations in the airport utility if you hold down option before clicking on the radio mode.