AP lost client signals - strange

We have a small tower that has been going well for about 2 years. Currently there are about 15-20 subscribers. Suddenly last night, most of the clients dropped out and the few that are left (bout 2 or 3) are showing terrible signals (about 30 db lower). We have a 13 db Comet omni antenna, RB433 with a XR2 card. The radio and card is on the top of tower with a short 7 ft coax cable. Now we are not strangers to the whole blown card problems. So my first thought is we just need to change out the card. That didn’t work. Its almost behaving like there is no antenna attached. So we changed out the coax jumper and bypassed all existing lightning arrestors. Still did not work. Even tried some R52H and R52 cards. Also changed out RB433 board. Exact same results. Changed Power Supply and injector. Same thing. The only thing that hasn’t been changed is the Comet antenna (which is not very old; and looks great upon inspection). Also we didn’t touch the ethernet run going up top. Ethernet tests good on a basic continuity test; but it is older cable. I’m currently ordering up a new antenna. But do you all think a problem with the power pairs on the ethernet could affect signal levels? Anyone have any ideas to my problem?

Eric

What is the noise floor on the AP, under status?
You may need to change the channel.

What is the noise floor on the AP, under status?

I tried that first. Noise floor stays around -99 to -100.

Eric

You’ve changed the card, board, pigtail and coax?

Either massive interference or antenna issues.

Have you tried 5/10MHz channels to see if it is interference?

with a -100 noise floor in the 2.4GHz band, I’m betting the antenna is gone. The only place I see the noise floor that low is at ground level.

What’s version of MK are you using??? if you are using 4.x, samply downgrade it to 3.30 and see the miracle…

BR

We are in a very rural area. So -98 to -100 noise floors are not that uncommon. Either way I have a new antenna on order. So I’ll see if that is it.

Eric

if you are using 4.x, samply downgrade it to 3.30 and see the miracle…

Unfortunately it is not V4. We are running 3.25. Also yes we changed board, pigtail, card, and coax, injector and power supply. Only things we didn’t change were Comet 13 db omni and ethernet going up tower (which is pretty old). Currently I have a new omni on order.

Eric

Just thought I’d let everyone know that it was indeed the antenna. Also realized that it wasn’t a Comet but a 13db Pac Wireless Omni. It appears that moisture got into the antenna housing. We replaced it with a brand new Comet 12 db omni. Not only did it fix the problem but signals are quite a factor better than the Pac omni (when it was working properly). We are seeing a 7-10db improvement across the board.

Eric