FCC and channels 12-14

n4wwl · 01-12-04, 08:54 PM

I received an unsolicited CD in the mail from Dell today with a letter requesting that I install the WLAN "Channel Setting Upgrade Utility" on the CD to disable wireless channels 12-14 on my X3i. The letter says channels 12-14 on the X3i are set for "passive scan" when the FCC authorizes only channels 1-11. Therefore, they want me to run the software fix to disable channels 12-14 "in accordace with FCC reguations."

Anyone else get such a CD from Dell?

Seems like they are asking customers with X3i's to fix Dell's mistake. Sort of like scanners, which are supposed to have cell phone frequencies blocked. Imagine getting free software from Bearcat or Uniden saying "your scanner mistakenly picks up cell phones calls. Please disable this illegal capability by running the enclosed software fix." I'd do it, wouldn't you?....

Seriously, have people received this CD and run the program? What have been the results?

Thanks.

deftech · 01-12-04, 09:01 PM

Yes, lots of people have received it. There are several other threads on this topic as well.

Regarding the channels, it won't help to have them enabled anyhow.....you're not going to find any access points that can use these channels. So basically everytime you auto-scan for Wi-Fi channels that are broadcasting near you, your Axim will try to scan on channels 12-14. Although it doesn't take terribly long to do this, it is still slightly inefficient.

n4wwl · 01-12-04, 09:08 PM

If there are no access points that can use these channels, why do they exist? I thought maybe they are used in Europe or elsewhere (?), so I'm reluctant to disable them just yet....

deftech · 01-12-04, 09:55 PM

They're not banned from use in every country. Either install the CD or don't, it's your decision. Just know that you are in violation of FCC regulation if you use these frequencies while in U.S. territory.....such as if you created an Ad-Hoc connection on these channels between two Axim X3i units.

I'm sure Dell will likely take them out in future ROM updates anyhow, just because they aren't supposed to be on U.S. units. So even if you don't use the CD, they'll likely get removed if you install a future ROM update.