Very Weird Linksys Wireless Router Behavior

[Balin64]

All right: what do you guys think:

I live in an area composed mainly of apartment buildings. Last week, I turned on AirPort on my Cable-Modem connected 17" iMac with the intention of sharing the internet connection with my 12" PowerBook. Well, lo and behold: in the AirPort drop down menu I saw a network simply named "linksys." Apparently, a neighbor has a wireless router. I selected it, and I got a 3/4 signal on airport and a very speedy connection. Well, I password-protect my 802.11g network, but apparently my neighbors don't. Since I have my own, I really care not. But here;s teh weird part: my 12" 867 AE equipped P'Book DOES NOT pick up the network, when the iMac always does. Even if they're next to each other. I am more curious than anything: the P'Book picks up my iMac's signal nice and strong, and it works well in hotspots downtown, but for some reason, only the iMac can sniff out the unprotected linksys network. Weird.. any thoughts? Anyone bored enough to suggest as to why this happens?

 

[zimv20]

the TiBooks didn't have as good a range as other macs. i know your pbook is an Al, but maybe there's too much interference through the wall.

just a guess.

to test it, visit your neighbor, pbook in hand, and see if you pick it up then.

 

[Balin64]

Thanks

But I don't know which neighbor it is. There must be at least 40 apartments within AirPort range. Could it be that the antennas inside the iMac's dome work better tha the ones on the LCD frame of the Al Book?

 

[tomf87]

Try moving the antenna on the PB, by moving the LCD. In other words, match the front of the iMac and PB's LCD's in the same direction and also match the tilt.

This is due to polarization of the signal and if the iMac's antenna is pointed just right, it could pick up the signal. If not, then it could have a tough time.