learned the hard way: close study of the actual pattern may lead you to the conclusion that certain antenna manufacturers overrate their product’s gain.
best regards/ldv
I’ve heard some stuff about this as well. Personally, I’ve only used Pacific Wireless, and Hyperlink omni antennas - both with good results, though I haven’t bought a Hyperlink in quite some time due to having a much closer vendor (wisp-router is only a 40 minute drive from where we are located).
Anyways, to the point, my input is: Pacific Wireless == good stuff.
Depending on where you are, PacWireless Omni = Huge ESD problem.
We won’t use them here, either in 2.4 or 5.s, although we may give one an other try with the copper wire trick running up the side. Results to date without the wire have been horrible in terms of blowing wireless cards.
I love PacWireless and use a ton of their stuff, but NOT omnis. We go Superpass instead and have had no ESD problems.
George
what about Hyperlink omni antennas? I’ve got a few left over from an old project I was planning on using. Any ESD problems with them?
Off Topic (Sorry)
Its been months now since I blew a card after the wire trick…
Never blew one since 
What’s the wire trick? Which manufacturer (in your experience) requires this ECO (engineering change order)?
regards/ldv
Really simplified, you run a piece of grounded copper wire all the way to just above the top of the antenna. It prevents static buildup on the antenna itself.
It would be nice if there was a list of antennas this is not required for, though it is likely I’ll do it with whatever antenna I use.
That is very interesting and has considerable implications.
Is this thought to be related to any physical characteristics of the antennas you use or an engineering defect born in Marketing, designed by Engineering, mnaufactured by Manufacturing and shipped by the Shipping Department?
IOW, if that is the solution, why don’t manufacturers adopt the ECO (Engineering Change Order)? There are a number of antennas world wide which are under warranty if the Manufacturer needs to and will “do the right thing.”
thanks/ldv
In my case a warrenty return would mean shipping back to usa from australia, not to mention pulling it down etc.
I have had 100% sucess with it.
Its only the cm9, sr2, r52,s that blow (or used to)
Are you saying you have never used the Atheros-based Senao or that it doesn’t blow when faced with ESD brought on by an improperly grounded installation?
regards/ldv
Hello
Since I did the wire thing I never blew a single card
Even before the wire thing the Prisim 2.5 did not blow.
Before wire thing cm9 etc would blow weekly.