Is the ticking on my new cordless phone a result of interference from my old wireless router?

March 15, 2009 7:11 PM

Is the ticking on my new cordless phone a result of interference from my old wireless router?

I have an old (I'd guess about 5 years) D-Link DI-514 router that says it's on 2.4 GHz. I have a set of Panasonic model KX-TGA246W cordless phones that are also on 2.4 GHz and work fine.

However, I just bought a bottom-of-the-line ($9 at Wal-Mart) Uniden phone that claims 2.4GHz. On this new phone, on some calls (but not all) I hear a constant ticking in the background... like a clock but a little faster. I've tried changing the phone's channel to no avail. It still happens on some calls. The Uniden phone is at the other end of the house from the router. One of the Panasonic phones is literally 2 feet from the router and works fine with no ticking.

Is the wireless router frequency likely the culprit for the ticking noise? If so, do I buy a new phone or a new router? I can't find many 900MHz phones anymore in stores, should I go for a 5.8GHz one if it's not too expensive? What frequency are most new wireless routers today?

posted by IndigoRain to technology (8 comments total)

It is very likely that the clicking is the result of interference from your AP or from another 802.11b/g device. Couldn't you simply unplug the AP and see if the clicking goes away? IF so, you've found your culprit.

Please note, the newer 802.11 devices use the 5ghz bands as well, which is why so many are moving to Dect 6.0 phones to avoid both the 2 gig and the 5 gig bands.
posted by crazyray at 7:15 PM on March 15

Unplug your router and see if the ticking noise goes away.
posted by zsazsa at 7:18 PM on March 15

And I also recommend the DECT phones. They actually run at 1.9GHz, which gives you better range than 2.4 and 5.8 GHz phones, and does not collide with any WiFi standards.
posted by zsazsa at 7:20 PM on March 15

What frequency are most new wireless routers today?

B/G use 2.4ghz.

Is the ticking on my new cordless phone a result of interference from my old wireless router?

Maybe. If the phones are digital then they should just drop out packets when the wifi interferes. They wouldnt create a sound. If theyre analog, who knows. The best way to figure this out is wait for the clicking to start again and then run to the router and unplug it. If the clicking continues then you know its not the router.

One of the Panasonic phones is literally 2 feet from the router and works fine with no ticking.

This makes me suspect the phone.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:08 PM on March 15

I can't find many 900MHz phones anymore in stores

FWIW, ebay has over 100 used 900mhz phones right now.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:09 PM on March 15

Thanks all, next time I hear it I'll unplug the routher.

damn dirty ape, have you SEEN eBay lately? Ugh. Thanks but no thanks. :)
posted by IndigoRain at 10:43 PM on March 15

RadioShack* has a DECT 6.0 phone for $27.

*disclaimer, I work at a Radio Shack.
posted by runcibleshaw at 10:30 AM on March 16

It was the router (yeah, stupid typos) and I picked up a new DECT 6.0 phone at Wal-Mart. (Didn't see your post, runcible, before I got it.) It's working great.
posted by IndigoRain at 10:10 PM on March 17