Scan vs Registration: Signal strengths very different

I have a 5 KM link with XR5 at both ends. Local end is 17 dB sector, remote is 12 dB omni. Should work great.
However, it’s not working well and in debugging, I notice that if I do a scan, I see the distant end with a
signal of -80 dB. That should work ok. However, on the registration window, I see -90 and sometimes
-95, and then it disappears. While the remote end is registered, I can sometimes open the signal strength tab
and it also shows -90 to -95 before disappearing.

I’m not sure what’s wrong with the link, but I’m confused about the difference in readings between a scan and a registered connection. Shouldn’t they be about the same? Is the difference a hint as to what the link problem is?

Config: RB133 (also tested with RB535A - same problem). ROS 2.9.50.
In RB535A, POE is 48 V with a short power cable. XR5 is the only board in the RB535A.
Both ends are configured as AP-bridge, with static WDS. TX power setting is default at both ends.
Scan shows no other AP’s on this frequency.

I’ll eventually solve the link issue, but I’m looking for some insight into the varying signal strength readings obtained with scan vs registration.

Thanks for any help!

I’d check cabling or alignment.

How long is your coax, what type?

Just from what I’ve seen, scan shows a snapshot, registration shows real time readings. Signal strengths vary.

Sector side: LMR400 10 feet
Omni side: LMR400 25 feet

Omni is a bit low and Fresnel zone is obstructed, but margin should still be good.

Sector is 90 degrees. Omni at distant end is about 40 deg. off-center of sector.

I’m going to have someone check the vertical angle on the sector. It’s supposed to be 2 deg. down, but maybe
it got bumped.

LMR is too long get attention to power lose

If you do the math it isn’t too long…