signal strength ok?

I just purchased a D-Link DI-624 with D-Link DWL-G650 network cards.
Using the built in signal strength meter on the wireless NIC, I am
showing a signal strength of about 50% when I'm 10 feet aware from the
router and is in clear line of site. I get the same reading when the
cabinet door I'm storing the router in is closed. This seems low to
me. When I'm about 1 foot away, I get about 80%.

Can I trust the signal strength meter and if so, should I return the
DI-624 and exchange it? I know the NIC is ok because I get excellent
signal strength at a friend's house and that is about 15 feet away
through a wall.

Thanks in advance for the reply.

I think the problem is that you're putting your access point/router in
a cabinet. There may be some strange multi-path issues going on with
the signals (i.e., signals bouncing off the insides of the cabinets
and perfectly cancelling themselves out). This would especially be
true if the cabinet has any metal components. Try placing the di-624
on a table top, and rerun your tests. The general rule is that higher
is better for antennas, and definitely free of any obstructions.



(E-Mail Removed) (tommy) wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed). com>...
> I just purchased a D-Link DI-624 with D-Link DWL-G650 network cards.
> Using the built in signal strength meter on the wireless NIC, I am
> showing a signal strength of about 50% when I'm 10 feet aware from the
> router and is in clear line of site. I get the same reading when the
> cabinet door I'm storing the router in is closed. This seems low to
> me. When I'm about 1 foot away, I get about 80%.
>
> Can I trust the signal strength meter and if so, should I return the
> DI-624 and exchange it? I know the NIC is ok because I get excellent
> signal strength at a friend's house and that is about 15 feet away
> through a wall.
>
> Thanks in advance for the reply.