> Try this simple experiment. Take a fiberglass pole and put any
> antenna on top. Doesn't matter what type as long as the gain isn't
> too high (<12dBi). Connect to some remote access point with line of
> sight. Now, move the antenna up and down the pole slowly taking
> readings at various altitudes. What you'll see are peaks and nulls
> caused by a combination of reflections and knife edge refraction. The
> variations will probably be substantial. As you get higher and
> higher, the effects will be less and less.
>

Thanks.

If fact, my test was from an elevated base antenna (12dbi yagi) but
the client end was on my tabletop and certainly included all the
variables you mentioned.

I guess the implication is that even though various antennas are
compared in the same spot, unless they are up high, then just by
having different patterns, one is inviting an often severe variation
in reflections and refractions.


> Also, please don't use the xx% signal strength numbers when you have
> dB (decibels) available in Netstumbler.
>

I know, sorry. My bad. I didn't see a way to use netstumbler on a
client router (or would it work?) but DD-WRT does give dB readings.
My eye got seduced by the bar graph and I didn't realize I'd be
"publishing" numbers.

Next time I'll at least put it up on a pole and use dB readings.

Steve