I got a MAX BR1 Pro 5G with 42G antenna in my motorhome. I recently started noticing issues with the WiFi connectivity. Some devices indicate rather weak WiFi signal strength, and during video calls sometimes the feed drops out.
Today, I investigated a little bit more and found that from inside my camper I get a stronger WiFi signal on the 5GHz band from the RV park’s network (-55dBm) than from my Peplink router/antenna (-65dBm), although their nearest access point is a few lots down the row. Then I climbed onto the roof of my motorhome and standing right in front of the Peplink antenna the best signal I could get on 5GHz was -50dBm.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take note of the WiFi strength when I first installed the router and antenna about a year ago, but I don’t remember ever having any issues. So I’m wondering is the signal strength I’m seeing recently to be expected or is it possible my equipment has gone bad?
Output power is set to “Fixed: Max”. Power cycling the router does not help. Wired LAN connection seems fine. Anything else worth checking?
I tried changing the output strength as well as toggling “Boost” on and off but it’s hard to tell. Sometimes the signal strength goes up and down randomly. But no matter what I do it seems the access point from the RV park 150’ away has still a stronger signal.
Also if I go into the bedroom in the rear of the motorhome (the antenna is mounted in the middle of the roof maybe 20’ or less away), the signal drops down to -80dBm on 5GHz, while the signal from the park WiFi is still going strong.
I have it set to auto. Currently 5GHz channel is 36 and channel width is 80MHz.
Done, though it doesn’t seem to affect the signal level.
It’s an RV park, so kind of. There is like 30’ in between my RV and my neighbors.
I understand that this isn’t the most ideal environment for WiFi but I don’t understand why the park’s access point (150’ away) has a stronger signal inside my RV than my Peplink equipment.
I’m inclined to order another MAX BR1 Pro 5G, see if it performs the same (and if it does return it). Just to be sure that my equipment isn’t bad. It seems I wouldn’t be the first one whose MAX BR1 Pro 5G went bad.
May I share a couple of thoughts? I agree with the suggestions made by @Captain_Nik, FWIW.
Let me suggest something else for your consideration.
I did not read anything about the construction of your roof – but that’s the first consideration. If it is metallic it’ll likely make an excellent ground plane which will increase the gain of the antenna slightly. However, that surface will greatly attenuate the wi-fi signal to devices “down below.” The 42G is an excellent antenna but what happens if you install the OEM wi-fi antennas on the router? (Leave the cel antennas connected to the 42G.) Does that help your signal?
It’s standard RV construction, i.e. rubber membrane on plywood with aluminum frame. However, since there was no good option to run the cables inside the roof without damaging the interior finish, the antenna is seated on a aluminum saddle. I’m aware that this is probably not ideal but I don’t recall any connectivity issues when it was first installed like that.
That is an excellent question I have been wondering myself but unfortunately I left them at home 4 states away, and I won’t be returning there any time soon.
