5GHz “WiFi” Grid antenna test
“Special offer” came out for 5GHz antenna. It was posted on Polish web store Interprojekt, where I sometimes buy some equipment for long range WiFi point-to-point links.
The antenna came well packed in carton with additional box for the feed. The grids were separated with paper to avoid scratches during transport.
The assembly is noting special. Two pieces for grid reflector, feed and mounting hardware. It takes about 10 minits for first antenna and then not more than 7 minutes to assemble every next one.
The official data for the antenna is:
| Type | Grid Antenna |
| Frequency | 5100 MHz – 5700 MHz |
| Gain | 24 dBi |
| VSWR | < 2 |
| Impedance | 50 Ohm |
| Polarization | Vertical or horizontal |
| Maximum power | 100 W |
| Vertical beam | 9° |
| Horizontal beam | 11° |
| Front to back ratio | >24 dB |
OK, excellent. I have one 12km WiFi link, where I use patch antenna with 23dBi gain. I put the new antenna on the same pole to check if the above numbers are really correct.
Original patch antenna has horizontal polarisation and is fed with mikrotik groove series of WiFi module.
IP G23 F5258 patch antenna for 5GHz.
The new grid antenna is placed above the orignial patch antenna
Then I run winbox to check the signal using one and another antenna. Here are (not so good) results:
Then I checked the WiFi signals at 5765 MHz:
It looks the grid antenna has 5dB to 6dB lower gain. That means it is 18dBi, not 24dBi antenna.
Finally, I tested the antenna VSWR from 5 to 6GHz:
And the results… at least the frequency range is as stated in the datasheet
