Possible Wireless Network Faulty Radio, Need Help
Possible Wireless Network Faulty Radio, Need Help
Hello, I'm based in South Africa and depend on wireless internet for any outside connection. I recently changed my service provider and they claim my antenna is faulty. My dish has a 30dBm strength, and I'm trying to connect to their tower which is nearby. Trees were an issue initially but they cleared them. The signal readings are: Tx/Rx Signal Strength -65/50 dBm (average), Tx/Rx Signal Strength channel 0 -70/50 dBm, channel 1 -60/50 dBm. They said the signal was too strong, so they adjusted my setup to prevent reflections. Over time, the connection improved, but I still face latency spikes even when usage is low—around 15mbps out of a max 15mbps bandwidth. These spikes reach nearly 300-500ms, especially during peak hours (5pm–11pm) and some jitter in the morning (6am–5pm). I've run tests and traced routes, and all spikes stay within their network. They’ve re-tuned and realigned the dish, spending a lot on parts and labor. Now they’re suggesting my radio is faulty and might need replacement. But I only notice the spikes during peak times, not in the mornings. Are they being honest about my equipment, or am I experiencing issues only at night?
At midnight, early morning radio operations are nearly nonexistent (most folks are asleep), which means you won’t face any interference. All Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth activities in the vicinity will disrupt the signal, particularly at night when people use the internet for entertainment. If you share this pattern, it’s unlikely the radio is faulty—likely just not powerful enough.
The WISP operates at a specific frequency for communication with your CPE. Your CPE model and its elevation above ground level are important factors. The visual line of sight isn’t the only consideration; Fresnel zone influences from nearby structures can affect performance. You may need to remove more vegetation or raise the CPE further. Wireless latency is challenging to avoid, as interference from other signals, weather, and physical obstructions can occur. The observed latency dip during low-traffic hours hints at external wireless sources along the route to the antenna.