Monitoring AirPort Signal Strength

· by · Tips

The AirPort menu bar icon gives you a rough idea about your wireless network connection signal strength, but not much else. When I experience poor wireless network signal strength, I want as much information as I can get to help troubleshoot the problem, which is why I turn to AP Grapher.


The AirPort menu item shows signal strength.

AP Grapher is an application that displays the current Wi-Fi signal strength, signal noise, data transmission rate, and more for any network you join. It also includes network stumbler feature called AP Scanner so you can find all of the visible networks in range of your Mac.


AP Grapher monitors your wireless network signal.

I use AP Grapher to help find the best location for my AirPort Base Station, track down possible wireless interference causes, and to monitor my PowerBookis wireless data throughput. AP Scanner is handy when I want to see of there are any other wireless networks in range that are using the same channel as my AirPort Base Station - a potential cause of slower data transfer rates and dropped signals.


AP Scanner finds visible wireless networks.

AP Grapher is free, and available for download at the Chimoosoft Web site.

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Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Jeff is the Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of "The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X" from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also co-hosts the We Have Communicators podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other podcasts, too. Jeff dreams in HD.

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