Just how powerful is the wifi output? 500mW?

Mine shows 500mW (27dBm.) That can't be right:

Code:

localhost dattaway # iwconfig wlan0
wlan0     IEEE 802.11bg  ESSID:"ilikecheesereallyido"  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.412 GHz  Access Point: 00:14:BF:04:F6:2F   
          Bit Rate=6 Mb/s   [b]Tx-Power=27 dBm[/b]   
          Retry min limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr=2352 B   
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality=62/100  Signal level:-62 dBm  Noise level=-102 dBm
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

I'm using the new 2.6.27 kernel with its builtin athk5 driver. I've noticed different drivers set it differently. I usually turn it down to a few milliwatts at 1dbm, because I don't want to transmit to the whole neighborhood...

 

My wireless router shows my One averaging a 13db stronger signal than my other laptops. Unfortunately, according to my router's strength meter the txpower setting with the new kernel drivers do not lower the output power.

This may be why my wireless quits and requires removing power and rebooting when sending large files. It appears to overheat. The card does get quite hot. I fear it really may be 500mW!

 

which wifi card are you using? it can't be the stock one is it I know it is sort of a dumb question but i am currently looking for a wifi amp/booster in the 500mw -1 watt range..

 

The one Acer installed using the 2.6.28 kernel:

Code:

acerone ~ # lspci | grep -i atheros
03:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications, Inc. AR5006EG 802.11 b/g Wireless PCI Express Adapter (rev 01)

acerone ~ #  iwlist wlan0 txpower
wlan0     unknown transmit-power information.

          Current Tx-Power=27 dBm       (501 mW)