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Posts: 8 | Thanked: 0 times | Joined on Dec 2007
#1
I just bought a N800 from amazon.com and am just wondering if I am going to need to get another adapter for it to use in europe? I've heard that if you use US electronics over in europe they don't exactly work?
 
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#2
The transformer is a switching type rated 100-240 volts 50-60Hz so it will do nicely in Europe. The only thing you will need is a wall socket adaptor (eg UK uses a 3 pin type). A shaving adaptor will work.
 
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#3
You will need the adapter. Radioshack will have them...shouldn't be too much.
 
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#4
what about going from fcc to EU wifi? isnt there some regulatory difference?
 
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#5
WiFi has a couple of extra channels available (>11) in Europe due to a little more spectrum being available. According to user reports, the N800's built-in WiFi doesn't see them, but they are little used, so not a big deal.
 
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#6
Originally Posted by jenova13 View Post
what about going from fcc to EU wifi? isnt there some regulatory difference?
Yes there is, but going from the US to Europe doesn't contravene any regulations as WiFi in the US is is limited to a subset of the European WiFI channels (1-11 in US, 1-13 in Europe). Worst case you may have trouble connecting to any devices that are using channels 12 and 13 while in Europe.

Now, if you were a European going the other way to the US, that could be interesting...

As to how your N800 decides to use channels 1-11 or 1-13 - it's probably based on language/region settings but I'm not really sure as I've never seen any confirmation of how it's done. All N800 hardware and firmware is the same the world over, so it has to be determined from a user configurable setting... language and/or region seem to be the only obvious choice.
 
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#7
From Wikipedia, there are channels from 1 to 13 on 5 MHz spacing (followed in Japan by a 14th channel spaced 12 MHz up from 13, but you won't get that in any case), with substantial overlap. Each channel has a width of +/-11 MHz at 30dB, and +-22 MHz at 50dB.

In the US, channels range from 1 to 11. That means the top channel in (most of) Europe, 13, is 10 MHz from the highest reachable channel, 11. So some reception, at short range, should be possible, even for channel 13. Expect troubles, but it should work. This is the same basis as the strange channel-hopping order of Kismet; since the channels overlap, you can get some packets while on the wrong channel.

Spain allows only 10 and 11, so no prob; France uses 10-13, meaning around half the APs there will suffer problems.

Disregard this:
If you're going to France, especially, you might try to get some EU firmware. I don't know that there is any, but you should check.

Edit: Didn't see Milhouse's post regarding single firmware.

Last edited by Benson; 2008-01-16 at 00:32.
 
Posts: 3,401 | Thanked: 1,255 times | Joined on Nov 2005 @ London, UK
#8
Originally Posted by DJames1 View Post
According to user reports, the N800's built-in WiFi doesn't see them, but they are little used, so not a big deal.
I just set my Access Point (Linksys WRT54GS) to channel 13 and my 770 (OS 2007HE), N800 (OS 2008) and N810 (OS 2008) all connected without any problems to channel 13.

I also tried setting the AP to channel 14 (not allowed in Europe but permitted in Japan) however my "European" 770/N800/N810 (all set to English UK for Language and Region) failed to find the access point during a scan.

So, all 770, N800 and N810 tablets are definately capable of scanning for and using at least channel 1-13 (possibly 1-14 too if suitably configured). Any WiFi channel limitation is a software configuration limit which varies from region to region according to the local regulations.
 
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Posts: 121 | Thanked: 20 times | Joined on Aug 2007 @ Amsterdam
#9
Originally Posted by Milhouse View Post
Yes there is, but going from the US to Europe doesn't contravene any regulations as WiFi in the US is is limited to a subset of the European WiFI channels (1-11 in US, 1-13 in Europe). Worst case you may have trouble connecting to any devices that are using channels 12 and 13 while in Europe.

Now, if you were a European going the other way to the US, that could be interesting...

As to how your N800 decides to use channels 1-11 or 1-13 - it's probably based on language/region settings but I'm not really sure as I've never seen any confirmation of how it's done. All N800 hardware and firmware is the same the world over, so it has to be determined from a user configurable setting... language and/or region seem to be the only obvious choice.
As a Yuropman I used my N800 all over Europe and in the US in DC, Virginia and North Carolina. No problems at all. The N800 finds (free) Wifi on its own and connects automatically (standard preferences). Just ask the frontdesk (in Hotels) for the password.

Both in the US and EU Wifi is freely available in many coffeeshops / cafés, terasses and public buildings. In DC Smithonian gives you free access even on the Mall. Nice Free Skyping ! (Same on a Italian beach close to Genova) There are of course also provider hotspots (in EU: T-mobile etc.) but I never needed them.

In many EU big cities, i.e. Paris, City-Authorities provide public wifi in every (city) street (they are using metro, cable & cloac tunnels/ not free but cheap. Creditcard access!).

You need 220 V and a EU connnector in Euroland. Probably already provided with your Nokia. (Otherwise buy on a airport: 5 - 10€ or something).
The UK, of course, has standards of its own, and wants you to buy a clumsy big and heavy power adapter). However almost every international or tourist oriented Hotels, at least in London, will also provide EU wall connectors, sometimes only in your bathroom (for tea or so, I do not completely understand those Brits, they are special- it seems .).

In Germany your Nokia simply works - They have no humor !

Abel.

Last edited by AbelMN; 2008-01-16 at 10:54.
 
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Posts: 121 | Thanked: 20 times | Joined on Aug 2007 @ Amsterdam
#10
Originally Posted by Benson View Post
From Wikipedia, there are channels from 1 to 13 on 5 MHz spacing (followed in Japan by a 14th channel spaced 12 MHz up from 13, but you won't get that in any case), with substantial overlap. Each channel has a width of +/-11 MHz at 30dB, and +-22 MHz at 50dB.

In the US, channels range from 1 to 11. That means the top channel in (most of) Europe, 13, is 10 MHz from the highest reachable channel, 11. So some reception, at short range, should be possible, even for channel 13. Expect troubles, but it should work. This is the same basis as the strange channel-hopping order of Kismet; since the channels overlap, you can get some packets while on the wrong channel.

Spain allows only 10 and 11, so no prob; France uses 10-13, meaning around half the APs there will suffer problems.

Disregard this:
If you're going to France, especially, you might try to get some EU firmware. I don't know that there is any, but you should check.

Edit: Didn't see Milhouse's post regarding single firmware.

With all due respect for the channel buzz: Your N800 does work all over Europe and the US. (Same expierience last decade(s) with notebooks and Wifi)
 
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