I’ve been trying to establish a link between 2 radios.
I’m currently running a MikroTik RB433 and a 24dBi grid antenna as the client which is in my residence that connects regular Wireless B and G router with a hyperlink 1W amplifier which is the AP Bridge to access the internet. Google Earth was used for the alignment.
The distance between both radios is 3.86km. There is nothing blocking or interrupting the link. However, where I live, humidity is incredibly high.
But I’ve been encountering some problems.
The problem I’m having is the low CCQ which ranges from 8%-68%, but mainly stays around the 8-18%. Which is absurdly slow.
Also the Tx/Rx Signal Strength is -85/-72 dBm.
First of all with all this information, I would like to know which would be the recommended configuration
• Which Mode to choose: station wds, wds slave, bridge, etc.
• Which Band to choose: 2.4GHz B, 2.4GHz G, 2.4GHz B/G
• Frequency: If I should do a Frequency Usage and choose the Frequency (MHz) with the lowest Noise Floor.
• What Tx Power to choose (dBm). Default is 18.
• …and just any other configuration that can improve this connection.
I’m using WinBox v3.10 on the RB433 to change the configurations.
I would recommend to install MikroTik RouterOS 3.30 at least.
Wireless default configuration are the best option, when you are not sure what to use.
• Which Mode to choose: station wds, wds slave, bridge, etc.
Mode is not too important, you need to use mode, which is suitable for the link more.
• Which Band to choose: 2.4GHz B, 2.4GHz G, 2.4GHz B/G
It depends on band supported by clients. If there are nobody with 2.4GHz-b, then G should be fine.
• Frequency: If I should do a Frequency Usage and choose the Frequency (MHz) with the lowest Noise Floor.
I would recommend to use snooper from Winbox, it will give you more detailed picture.
• What Tx Power to choose (dBm). Default is 18.
tx-power-mode=default should be the best solution, when wireless signal is not too strong.
Well I´ve tried everything.
I´ve tried all bands, but it only work on 2.4GHz B/G while with B or G it becomes slower.
I´ve chosen the frequency with the lowest noise
and the tx power is on default, but sometimes it doesn’t work and I have to bring it down to 14dBm and sometimes to 25dBm.
so… 1 W it’s too much in my opinion for that distance. 24 db grids should be more than enough for that link. BUT! if your 2.4 ghz spectrum is crowded, stop bothering, immediately switch to 5 ghz.
I forgot to mention that there is something blocking the direct view of both antennas and I’ve tried everything but nothing worked, although somedays my internet is fast and other days it isn’t
Try step by step to isolate the problem:
Upgrade your Router OS to 3.3.
Try G band only, if that doesn’t improve then,
Then try A 5GHz band only, if that doesn’t improve then,
Try a different radio card, if that doesn’t improve then,
Lastly try a different routerboard version
i think TX power 18 dbm is too low for approx 4 km link. google earth doesnot give very accurate distances either.
Try changing channels and see which gives better SNR. Height also is a reason for low CCQ, u hv not mentioned anything abt height. I find links perform better in more humid zones. Sometimes a lone tree etc disturbs the signal real bad particularly with 24dbi grid. Check if the grid is horizontally or vertically mounted.