My RPi4 just arrived today. Revision 1.2. Yup, there are some serious WiFi issues. My 5G WiFi kept dropping while trying to install the AstroPi3 packages from @rlancaste. Only use connection was keyboard and mouse to USB2. I read a thread about QWHD resolution HDMI causing the problem, which I was running at the time, but changing the resolution to 1080p did not help the cause. I grabbed a network cable and made a direct connection to my router (satellite) to finish the process. This makes me nervous about sustained use in the field, or even from my backyard via WiFi.

HDMI is included in the RF interference category with USB3 against wireless, but ONLY for 2.4Ghz. There are successful Pi4 users of 5Ghz wireless on this forum. Again, it's only 2.4Ghz that's impacted by HDMI and/or USB3. USB2 is ok. If you can't get 5Ghz to work reliably, then you might want to second guess whether your power supply is delivering amps sufficiently...

Wow - I have spent literally months trying to chase this problem down. Most recently convinced that because my Pi had no real time clock and would lose time when disconnected (often moving around and must rely on wifi only) - causing wifi to stop working (seemed to start working every time I manually changed the time). After installing a hardware RTC - still had problems. Today managed to confirm problem only appears when camera was plugged into usb 3 port, and not usb 2 port. Did a search and landed here.

D*mn ! At least I now know the problem. Kinda sucks because one or reasons for upgrading to Pi4 was the USB3. And I won't always be in 5GHz wifi zone, so guess I'm still stuck with USB2. I wonder if there is a hack for this (ie. appropriately placed tinfoil or some such) ...

Thanks to the OP for posting.


Dave

I was just wondering if an external (USB) wi-fi dongle would it still encounter the same interference issues?

I am about to try it out (have been using wired ethernet with great success) - so I will find out on my own...

With this info about interference, I may put it on a USB extension which will get it away from the USB 3.0 hub too..

Hello,

A while back, I endured many failed expectations about USB3 and USB3 hubs. My solution was to avoid USB3 ports. Thank you for the explanation of the problem. The reason makes sense.

After a recent update and the rush to kill the account pi, I found no WIFI my last outing. I had a spare work Netgear Router and supplied the wireless for the session.

In reestablishing WIFI, I replaced Automatic with A 5G. I will test again the USB3.0 hubs in the USB3 ports.

My Pi4 and have same issue. As soon as I plug my ASI camera into USB3 it cause slow down or even drop connection if signal is weaker. For this reason I must put AP out of window so it have direct visibility to my Pi4 in my yard and it is working.

I am trying to find out if I do have issues with the WiFi too.

As far as I can understand from all the above my setup should be ok, but I’m not 100% sure.

Right now I run this setup:

RPI4 (StellarMate) —> Direct power source
Usb2 port —> external antenna (USB BrosTrend 1200mbps Linux) as hotspot
Usb3 port —> powered usb hub

Powered usb hub —> zwo 224mc & DSLR (power from external source)


I am trying to connect with my iPad from 20m away but I fail


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I use my Astroberry in hotspot mode and VNC into it. Usually everything goes fine, but tonight I couldn't get the hotspot and my devices connected to USB 3 to work.
Could you kindly explain to me how to create a hotspot that works in the 5GHz instead of 2.4?
Thanks!

There seems to be a problem (with Stellarmate) actually using 5 GHz WiFi. I can switch to 5 GHz in hotspot mode but when I try and change to 5 GHz for my home WiFi using network settings in VNC it doesn’t stick. It always connects to 2.4 GHz in 802.11n mode - 72 mbps is max PHY rate even when I am inside in the same room as the google wifi puck. I did switch location to US for WiFi settings.

PS in answer to the question on enable 5 GHz in hotspot mode - you do this via the Stellarmate app in the device settings section.

Right click on the network icon, and then choose settings, in there you choose the hotspot, and settings again, then on one of the tabs you will see the option to have either 2.4, 5ghz or auto, change it there....

That worked, thank you!

RF interference is affected only by distance.  The farther away you can place your USB2 devices from the USB3 ports, the better.

I have a GPS dongle that is USB2.  The RFI affects GPS reception.  I had to put the dongle 6 feet away from the PI on a powered hub.  I played with surrounding the PI4 with foil to test other ways to reduce the noise.  Most of the interference is generated at the connector itself.

The powered hub is required else my GPS dongle doesn't get enough power from USB to be able to generate consistent data.