Using the decades of experience gained by Ron Touw in multiple fields of experience means that if you need a helping hand, he can be there for you when you need it most. From Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) Investigations using Rohde and Swartz Spectrum Analysis and Direction Finding to building high quality WiFi designs using the Ekahau AI Pro software/hardware suite to helping you with your network.
Radio Frequency Interference
The majority of Ron’s past experience was in the world of RF. Tracing and identifying sources of interference for the UK Government requiring a range of approaches. From a ‘light touch’ method such as for the situations where the problem may be self-inflicted or where the investigation requires a high level of security and diplomacy, to a more robust end result action where illicit sources are identified, evidence to be recorded in detail and persons identified and taken to court for prosecution for any offences observed. Attention to detail is therefore paramount if such a prosecution is to be successful. Thankfully these days any tracing of RF Interference is nearly all for customers who simply need to know where the problem is coming from. If it is found to be an illicit source, a report can be generated to allow the client to send it to Ofcom for any possible further action.
Using Radio Direction Finding and Spectrum Analysers over his lengthy career, Ron has been able to identify sources of interference such as IT equipment, Emergency battery backed up lighting, a public bus (that was constantly moving), TV Mast End Amplifiers, gas boilers, lift motors, Sodium lights, an Integrated Circuit wafer bonding machine, RF Welding, doorbells, an electric cooker oven, xDSL lines, faulty EPIRBs, a faulty TACAN transmitter, bugging devices and even a “fart machine”!
Therefore if you have something that’s causing you radio interference and you need to identify the source, get in touch!
WiFi Architect and WiFi problem solving
It is commonly stated that installing WiFi is so easy, even a plumber can do it. Apparently all one needs to do is “stick” an AP in every room and the job is done. But if only it were that easy! The problem is that WiFi has become so common place within the home and the office that buying an Access Point and mounting it up on a wall or behind a desk by Reception seems trivially simple. Why therefore does anyone need a “WiFi Architect” to design an installation of something so simple? Once installed and the WiFi starts to become used heavily by all those in the building, shortcomings soon start to surface. Slow speeds, or constant drop outs happen. Along with the remark by those who installed it that “WiFi is unreliable, it’s just the way it is”. Except this is NOT the case at all.
WiFi if designed and installed correctly can prove to be a very reliable and valuable tool in the home of workplace. More complex installations such as Hotels, Warehouses and Airports require much more detailed planning than simply “sticking an AP up here and there”. Using the Ekahau AI Pro software allows us to expertly design and assist installers to make your WiFi installation a success rather than a nightmare. Ron has over 25 years of experience in wireless network planning & implementation and has assisted companies to build a reliable working wireless network suitable for their specific business requirements.
WiFi Surveying
We are able to offer a thorough WiFi site survey using the Ekahau SideKick and Ekahau AI Pro Site Survey software.
Whether you need a site survey to get a comprehensive report on the current situation of a site before any potential upgrade or a post-installation WiFi site survey to check a recently installed system is performing as required, Ron can do both. You might also wish to consider that any survey taken is completely impartial and we can offer a ‘sanity check’ of any recent installation before you make that final payment to any third party installation company.
Costs for WiFi surveys will vary based on the size of the site. But typically a small office survey taking half a day to a full day to survey is around £300-£500
For larger sites such as Sports Stadiums and Warehouses, I have found I can typically cover 2000 m² per day at a daily rate of around £750 plus expenses.
Network Support
Your network infrastructure is a major part of your business. When your business suffers from frequent network downtime, your external customers will soon migrate to one of your competitors!
It can therefore have a negative impact on your profits, especially if you lose major and valued customers.
When your network is managed and supported by Ron Touw, he is able to reduce downtimes and ensure that your network performs optimally at all times. Running your own small business when you are the only highly skilled technical person in the business means you’re never off duty and always on 24/7 call. But entrusting your network in Ron’s hands means you can finally get that holiday you’ve always wanted without constantly worrying about what has fallen over this time!
Retainers cost from as little as £200 / month
Remote Hands
Ron is also very familiar with accessing and working in numerous Data Centres so if there is any support you need installing, replacing, commissioning or simply attending a Data Centre in an emergency, he can be safely entrusted to get the work done correctly, first time, every time.
Reviews received
“Ron was incredibly helpful and saved us from what would have been a very shouty customer. Please pass my thanks onto Ron”
“After having wireless installed (incorrectly as it turns out!) Ron was able to quickly identify the issues and come up with a solution and now it’s working great. Please pass on my grateful thanks to him!”
“For four days we had been struggling with an unreliable MikroTik based OSPF network. Customers were giving us a hard time on the support desk and we were drowning. You were able to quickly identify the reason why, fixed it and within an hour the phone calls finally went quiet. Thank you!”
“The biggest benefit we get from our monthly support contract with you is sanity checking our crazy ideas and knowing we can call you for extra help when we need it. Most of the network is now built (according to your original design) so now you’re basically just there as a safety backup mechanism for those rare occasions when things do go pear shaped, but also it means I finally went away with the wife and kids and had a decent break away knowing I had left the network in a safe pair of hands for a couple of weeks”