Huh. The replies in this thread are indeed very interesting. I apologize for being perhaps a bit rude in my previous comments. I was too much annoyed about what in my eyes was a lack of proper testing. It is no more.
For anyone who got an ax3, an ax2 and an Android device, I propose a different, more direct testing strategy. It still involves pretty much default configs, all that good stuff that I’ve previously written out. Fixed channels, fixed everything, and an SSID different from anything else you’ve used, just to be extra-sure.
Step 1. Google, download and install F-Droid, if you haven’t already. This is technically unnecessary, but if you don’t know what F-Droid is, you can thank me for introducing you to it later.
Step 2. Using F-Droid, download an app called ‘WiFi Analyzer’ and install it.
Step 3. Now, depending on the version of Android your device is running, WiFi scans made by WiFi Analyzer may be throttled by the system. If you’re using Android 9 specifically, you’re somewhat out of luck and will need to live with throttling (wait a minute or three instead of ten seconds for WiFi Analyzer to be able to update itself). If you’re using something older or newer, refer to this guide to disable throttling. You may re-enable it after the tests are done, if you wish.
If you’ve followed the instructions this far, you should now be able to use WiFi Analyzer to measure the WiFi signal strength of all networks in range in dBms as perceived by your phone, in various positions relative to your access points.
Step 4. Take measurements of perceived signal strength with two indetical configurations. Use TX power = 20 dBm. Make sure to hold your Android device in a stationary position while measuring. I.e. put it down and let it rest.
At this point, only your imagination limits what you can do with this setup. If I had an ax3 and an ax2, I’d probably measure in at least eight points in each or the three standard planes (front, side, top) to produce a diagram of both signal strength and directionality. But you’re probably busy with things other than being a giant nerd, so it’s probably best to measure four points: in the front, in the back, and to the two sides of the device. This will allow you to simply take the maximum value out of these four and forget about antenna directionality. Just make sure to wait about 10-30 seconds after laying the phone down to let WiFi Analyzer update the data. Also pay attention to the fluctuations of the signal. This will allow you to estimate the random error of measurements.
Please report the maximum signal values for ax2 and ax3 and the random error estimation.
Step 5. This is, I think, the most interesting step. Log into the ax3, and change the TX power value to 3 dBm. Measure signal strength in four points, take the maximum value, and report on it as well.
Note that it is vital for the distance between the phone and the AP to remain exactly the same (to the best of your ability) in all of the measurements, and for each four points each time as well. It is best to use a distance of about 1 to 2 meters to minimize the error of determining the locations of actual transmitters and receivers inside the devices used. Also, just in case it isn’t clear, there should be nothing but air between the AP and the device while measuring.
This testing procedure is quite a bit finicky and lengthy. But it, provided you follow it with enough care, will allow you to determine, with absolute scientific certainty, that there is something catastrophically wrong with ax3. You know, if there is. Which it seems like there is.
Moreover, the test performed in step 5 will enable you to determine whether the signal amplifier of the ax3 is borked. If the difference in perceived signal strength between two tests with ax3 (provided the first one was made with TX power set to 20 dBm and the second one with 3 dBm) isn’t about 17 dBm (give or take 3-5 dBm), but rather closer to zero (give or take 3-5 dBm), it is most definitely dead and gone.
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