WIFI scanning - doesn't find 13 channel

[0_djek]

Hello, when scanning wifi networks, I can't seem to find networks, that are in 13 channel. Is this normal, and is it possible to fix that?
Thanks for any help.

[pythoncoder]

Permitted channels vary between countries. For example if your ESP32 has been localised for the USA it won't see channels 12 or 13 which are not permitted there. Japan has an extra channel 14.

[outsidewall]

Hello,
Did a search on this forum/docs, could not find anything on setting the region.

Is there away to set the wifi region? ideally from micropython...

John

[0_djek]

Permitted channels vary between countries. For example if your ESP32 has been localised for the USA it won't see channels 12 or 13 which are not permitted there. Japan has an extra channel 14.

Hello, I live in usa, so shouldn't the microcontroller see that (13th) channel? Thank you!

[pythoncoder]

My understanding is that channels 12 and 13 are not allowed in the USA. Equipment intended for sale there is supposed to be configured to disallow those channels, firstly to comply with the rules and secondly because, if set to use one of those channels it would be unable to communicate with other US equipment.

That is my take on it, but as a Brit I don't claim expertise on US regulations

[0_djek]

I made a mistake, I live in EU, so shouldn't there would be possible?

[karfas]

Regardless where the OP lives, blocking a channel in a device like the ESP32 intended for embedded use on hardware level is - at least - very unusual (not to say harakiri for the chip maker).

The ESP32 datasheet regarding the Wifi frequencies read

Device should operate in the frequency range allocated by regional regulatory authorities. Target operating frequency range is configurable by software.

[pythoncoder]

I am not a lawyer. But my understanding of the regulations is that, to achieve approval in most countries, a WiFi device should be incapable of transmitting on unauthorised channels. Special factory programming can be used to customise devices for their intended jurisdiction.

There are many devices that break the rules. Nevertheless it should be no surprise if a device designed for USA approval won't see channels 12 and 13.

[0_djek]

Ok, so I did some testing, and I found that my device can see the 12 and 13 channels, but it can't connect to them (it just tries without any result). Is there something that's not allowing it to connect? Or is it intended?

[karfas]

to achieve approval in most countries, a WiFi device should be incapable of transmitting on unauthorised channels. Special factory programming can be used to customise devices for their intended jurisdiction.

This might be true for consumer devices. What do you think is the "intended jurisdiction" for an ESP32 chip/module, built in China, shipped to the EU and re-exported (as part of a larger solution) to - say - Canada ? My common sense tells me that this can't be true for modules(!) like the ESP32.

There must be some reason for the settings found in https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... untry-code

Call esp_wifi_set_country() to set the country info. The table below describes the fields in detail, please consult local 2.4 GHz RF operating regulations before configuring these fields.
.....
The default country info is {.cc=”CN”, .schan=1, .nchan=13, policy=WIFI_COUNTRY_POLICY_AUTO}, if the Wi-Fi Mode is station/AP coexist mode, they share the same configured country info

However, this doesn't help 0_djek, as there is no call to esp_wifi_set_country() anywhere in the current micropython sources.