Determine neighbor wifi channels

[Schtibbie]

Is there any way within OS X (some hidden menu or something?) for me to see which wifi channel any detectable network is on? I ask because I set my home router on channel 11 back when i had a pc with XP and i chose that channel because at the time I had no neighbors on that channel. However, I'm now detecting 3 neighbors' routers and I'd really love to know if any/all of them are channel 11 so I can get OFF that channel and be using a clear channel.

But I can see no obvious way to see this in the network preferences or the little wifi icon up on the menu bar.

 

[timswim78]

There are a few wireless utilities listed here. I've never tried them, but maybe some of them will do what you want.
http://www.net-security.org/software_cat.php?group=19&cat=5

 

[Roy Hobbs]

Is there any way within OS X (some hidden menu or something?) for me to see which wifi channel any detectable network is on? I ask because I set my home router on channel 11 back when i had a pc with XP and i chose that channel because at the time I had no neighbors on that channel. However, I'm now detecting 3 neighbors' routers and I'd really love to know if any/all of them are channel 11 so I can get OFF that channel and be using a clear channel.

But I can see no obvious way to see this in the network preferences or the little wifi icon up on the menu bar.

Just curious, what do you think you will gain from this "clear" channel?

 

[Schtibbie]

Just curious, what do you think you will gain from this "clear" channel?

It isn't good to have two routers (yours and someone else's) on the same channel. They interfere. So, if your neighbor is on channel 6 (the most commonly as-shipped router channel), you are generally advised to switch your own router to channel 1 or 11 (1 and 11 being the only two channels that have no overlap with channel 6.

So, if there's no way OS X is going to tell me, I might try a free utility mentioned by the other poster, although I'm very leery of jacking up my new computer with tweaks and stuff..

 

[WildPalms]

Actually, he will gain a lot. iStumbler should help you out.
http://www.istumbler.net

 

[oceanmonster]

the mac wireless dashboard widget displays the info for channel in the widget. If you look on apple's widget site you should see it.

 

[oceanmonster]

the mac wireless dashboard widget displays the info for channel in the widget. If you look on apple's widget site you should see it.

 

[WildPalms]

the mac wireless dashboard widget displays the info for channel in the widget. If you look on apple's widget site you should see it.

Good point, I forgot about that one

 

[ijoyner]

Easy way to see WIFI details

Is there any way within OS X (some hidden menu or something?) for me to see which wifi channel any detectable network is on?

Easy. Hold the option key while clicking on the wifi symbol on the right of the menu bar. This will show detailed information about the network you are on. For others, just hover over the network name and a heads up will appear with channel and other information.

 

[GGJstudios]

Easy. Hold the option key while clicking on the wifi symbol on the right of the menu bar. This will show detailed information about the network you are on. For others, just hover over the network name and a heads up will appear with channel and other information.

The thread is almost 5 years old and the method you describe didn't show channel information back then.

 

[adbe]

The thread is almost 5 years old and the method you describe didn't show channel information back then.

Perhaps not, but I was unaware of that feature and just stumbled across this thread by googling[1], so if ljoyner is passing by, thank you.


[1] Binging actually, but that doesn't have the same ring to it.

 

[Futuresgreen]

A great free trick by iJoyner

Thanks to iJoyner - the pressing down of alt and clicking on the wifi button in top right hand corner does show you loads of info and as they said, just hover over any other to get info.
It was much more accurate then using the wifi card in the system information pane.

Now im hoping to try and find a better signal !