Matt,
We've been struggling a bit with our radio performance lately.
We have 2 HPT435 radios that we use with our 2 T3 bases and are running 3 LS+ rovers.
We just did a test today with both radio setups, using the antennas, cables and batteries separately that we normally use with each base/radio.
The RSSI values we are seeing with either radio are very similar at 100', but well less than the chart above. We're broadcasting at 35 watts.
With external antennas on the rovers, the best we're seeing is around -23 dBm. We're seeing -30 dBM and -32 dBm on the other two rovers.
Seems odd we'd get that poor of readings with both base/radio setups.
Also, we're seeing quite a bit of difference in readings on the three rovers, set up side by side.
We even used the same antenna in each rover to make sure that wasn't a problem.
Looking at the chart, we are way off the expected values.
Any clue on what we should investigate?
Thanks,
Brian
Brian,
Post some photos of your cables - hopefully they don't look anything like the ones below!
And the LS's UHF connector on your LS hopefully doesn't look anything like this one:
Each end of the cable running between the HPT435BT radio and its transmission antenna shouldn't show any signs of stressing or wear. I would buy a new cable
if there's any sign of a damaged cable before performing further tests. Also inspect the external UHF connector on the LS.
When performing the next round of your tests, only swap out the cable between the radio and its transmission antenna. On the LS, don't attach the external UHF antenna, and then record the RSSI at your mark that's 100' away from the radio's antenna. Repeat the test (from power off state on both LS and the HPT435BT radio), but this time with the LS's external antenna connected, and then record the RSSI at your mark that's 100' away from the radio's antenna. The best way to record the RSSI is just by doing screen captures on the LS.
After the tests using the 1st radio and the 1st LS, repeat with the 2nd LS and then 3rd LS.
Finally, repeat all of the tests again using the 2nd HPT435BT.
With your photos, include your screenshots showing the RSSI, antenna type, power settings, etc.
The tests that were conducted in July 2021 and kindly shared above by Matt Johnson, are somewhat helpful, but the exact part numbers of which cables, antennas, and radios that were used are not listed. Firmware versions are also not given. How much difference would all of that possibly make remains unknown. Maybe there's more detailed reports from the tests run in July 2021, but without them and still with an eye on the chart above, I'd expect results between 12 and 13
decibel-
milliwatts difference using or not using the external
UHF antenna.
Kind regards,
Kelly
