[HamWAN PSDR] WiFi channels

[Kenny Richards]

Rob,

I don't know this for sure, but I suspect that Windows queries the wifi
card to find out what it supports for channels, I have seen some powershell
queries for getting at this list. Most wifi hardware is limited at the
firmware level for channel support (required by law) and I'm guessing since
your laptop was sold for the US market, the wifi card is similarly
restricted to the US channels. You'll have to research whether there is an
aftermarket way of changing it. This is why when purchasing client access
equipment for HamWAN, you need to purchase the worldwide version, which
doesn't have the US restrictions enforced. (and why you need to provide you
amateur radio license when doing it)

Also as a general reminder, Amateur radio operators are allowed to use
additional channels in the US, but the allowed uses are more restricted.

Thanks
Kenny

On Sat, Feb 20, 2021 at 7:33 PM Rob Martin via PSDR <psdr at hamwan.org> wrote:

>
> This might be considered slightly off-topic, at least until you have read
> it.
>
> My computer is an older Lenovo Thinkpad X201 laptop, and is running
> Windows 10 Pro. I suspect my issue applies to any OS.
>
> With an Amateur Radio licence we can use WiFi channels outside the range
> available to Part 15 users.
>
> Q1. Where in the pc is the range of available 5GHz WiFi channels set?  The
> highest channel that works in my machine is number 165, centred at 5825MHz,
> 20MHz wide. It will NOT work on the next channel up (number 169, 5845MHz
> centre, 20MHz wide)
>
> Q2. How do applications read this information?  A program I use called
> InSSIDer that displays WiFi activity shows channel 165 as the highest
> available. How does it know?
>
> Q3. Is there a tool with which I can read this information?
>
> Q4. Is there a way I can edit this information to extend the range to
> higher channels?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Rob
> K7QJ
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