Signal problems with linksys WAP54G

I've got a WAP54G (DSL router/wireless access point), lately I've been finding it's been having signal problems. I use the windows zero config wireless util to connect to the network and I can watch the "speed" bounce around like a cat on crack. It goes from 54Mbit/s down to 1Mbit/s and everywhere inbetween.

This usually happens when I'm putting a lot of traffic over the network, but at the moment I'm not generating any traffic and it's sitting at 1Mbit/s.

In netstumbler I get a signal strenght of -70dBm. Other networks that I can see are on channel 6 and 11 (I use channel 1). There are a few walls inbetween me and the router, but I've used it in a London flat with concrete walls and it worked fine.

Laptop is using Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network

Are there any settings on the router that I can tweak to improve the stablity of the network?

Thanks

Does it actually drop the connection? Some wireless equipment I have reports 1Mbps until data moves through it, then it adjusts accordingly to how much throughput is required with regards to link quality.

__________________
Jeremy

Marlborough WiFi Project

No, I don't think it ever drops the connection completely. At the moment it's sitting at 48Mbit/s with no traffic.

Perhaps there is a cordless phone nearby operating on 2.4GHz. Unfortunately about 90% of them on the market seem to now.

They ususally use the lower parts of the band, so changing your network to a higher channel can sometimes reduce the interference. Does Netstumbler report SNR with the card you are using?

__________________
Jeremy

Marlborough WiFi Project

unfortunately it doesn't report a proper SNR (noise is set to -100 all the time)

I'll try change the channel to 11 or something

Thanks