BCM 4313 proprietary driver blocks WiFi for other devices

Solution 1:

My guess:

It's not a definitive answer, but my best guess is poor broadcast power control on the closed source blob resulting in other well managed cards (hosts or AP) turning down their sensitivity so they don't get blown by the power.

If I'm right:

It sounds like a non-fixable problem since it's in the blob unless you script a bunch of power control.

How could it theoretically be tested:

If you have three test boxes, I'ld test it like this

1) Install some tool that lets you see a packet's network's relative power.

I'm sure there's a CLI util to do it at a whack, but kismet is already installed on my laptops and gives me enough information.

2) With the broadcom box OFF, check the power of your box number 3 in kismet.

3) Next turn it off and place the broadcom box in the same location.

4) Check in kismet again. If my guess is right, the broadcom box should show significantly more signal strength.