TX/RX signal disparity w/SXTsq and RouterBoard w/omni antennas

RouterOS Wireless Networking
1

We have an SXTsq antenna that is primarily being used to transmit data to some equipment connected to a RouterBoard. The RouterBoard is connected to two omni directional antennas.

SXTsq (bridge) → RouterBoard(station bridge)

Everything connects fine, but the “receive” signal on the RouterBoard side is quite a bit lower than the transmit signal. With the equipment setup in our office the reading on the RouterBoard is:

“Tx/Rx Signal Strength : -9/-28 dBm”

Equipped out in the field I think we had it at around “-46/-67 dbM”.

Why does this pairing of antenna types appear so much better suited to transmitting data from the omni directional side? Are there any settings that could improve the situation?

Ideally I’d use another SXTsq (I’ve verified that Tx/Rx match for that) , but the receiving side has a custom cabinet so it’s a bit tricky.

2

What is Transmit power setting on both sides?
How much gain does the Omni has?

3

Default power setting and gain on each side.

And I guess I should mention that the RouterBoard model is RB911-5HacD.

https://mikrotik.com/product/RB911-5HacD

4

Ok if I use the terminal as follows:

interface wireless

set 0 antenna-gain=14

The transmit signal strength diminishes to be nearly as bad as the receive signal. So maybe this is as good as it gets.

5

We need to know the gain!

6

Ok I think I’m finally seeing what you’re looking for mistry7–I previously thought you were referring to the antenna-gain setting in the RouterBoard OS.

The antennas I’m testing with here now are 5dbi.

The thing is, on WinBox I don’t see where to even change that setting to match it, and I can’t seem to figure out how to get it to “show” what value it uses out of the box.

7

ok ok it’s under advanced mode in Interfaces->Wireless. Slap me silly. Let me see what this does to my numbers.

8

Ok well that is good to know about that setting but I still have this weird disparity. The current readings are:

Tx/Rx Signal: -5/-24

I wonder what the behavior of the router board is when antenna-gain is left at zero.