PDA

View Full Version : interference problems or what ?


skullz
01-25-2006, 05:22 AM
Hello,
I am running a StarOS server 2.0.10 4698 with 2 Atheros 5213 cards. One card is connected to 8.5 dBi 2.4 gHz omnidirectional antenna, and is serving in AP role for 3 clients. Clients are between 1-1.5 miles apart from central location (AP). All clients have a signal level of -57 and up untill now everything worked perfectly, there was no packet loss, ping was <2 ms, throughput was ~1 mb/sec. But for the last few days it became hell. Ping statistics shows 30-40% loss on all clients, with average ping at 2000 ms, not one packet was below 1000 ms. Changing channels did not help, whatever I do gives no positive results. I have disconnected all clients, and when I let anyone of them in it gives same results, no matter which client is connected. Around me I pick up 15 networks, but they were there when everything was running smoothly.

The only thing that changed in the last few days are temperatures. It is now freezing cold here, light snow has fallen (less than 1 inch).

I suspect that maybe something happened to the antenna, but before attempting to climb up extremly steep, snow covered roof, I want to ask if anyone could point to some other problem ?

David L. Vrablic
01-25-2006, 11:20 AM
If I were a betting man I would say you have a bad antenna connection. Maybe in the connection or even inside the antenna itself.
You didn't say what kind make antenna or what feedline you are using but you just can't make a connection to watertight.
----------------------------
Some vertical omni antennas have a weep hole in the bottom of the base.
I have seen times when that was blocked and condensation from hot to cold made enought water in the bottom to actually short out the connector from the inside.
That is one of the reasons I went to Horiz Pol PAC Wireless slotted antenna design. All those problems went away and we got better signals to the customers with the Horiz pol.
----------------
You are still going to have to do scans and make sure someone isn't stomping on your freqs.