Antenna performance is dependent on several factors starting with the Access Point / Router which it is connected to, antenna characteristics (gain, polarization, directionality etc), the environment it is installed in and the objects in the surrounding location. It is no unusual to expect different performance from antennae when installed indoor and outdoor.

Range of Signal

There is unfortunately no rule of thumb for determining antenna range. Consider the following for getting the best results:

• Clear up any obstructions around the antenna, especially metallic objects
• Make sure that there is no water body near the antenna. For example, if you are building an outdoor point-to-point link, make sure there are no trees in the Line-of-Sight (LOS) between the two points. Trees absorb almost all signal coming their way!
• Make sure there is are no 2.4 GHz DECT phones (house-hold chordless phones) in the surrounding of the Access Point. In the 2.4 GHz, 802.11b and 802.11g AP's are effected.
• Concrete walls are a major signal killer, so if you are trying to receive the signal from the other side of a concrete/brick wall, expect most of the signal to be lost into the wall.
• Important:
  Orient the antenna according the signal pattern provided by the manufacturer. Almost all manufacturers print the expected signal pattern on the antenna's data-sheet. Get hold of this and make sure to align the antenna according to this.