Antennas are metal structures that capture and transmit radio frequency waves by converting the RF into alternating current. Antennas are essential for connectivity purposes and if your household utilizes Wi-Fi having the right antenna connection are vital. Many people do not understand this and end up calling professionals for help claiming their Wi-Fi does not work. What they do not realize is that with the wrong alignment the antenna will be disrupted. Here are some common antenna alignment mistakes that people make.
1.In your home, if you have placed your antenna above grids, metal air ducts or lamp reflectors, you are bound to have a signal problem. This is because these devices produce a lot of refractions and reflections that interfere with the RF making several copies of signals that reach to your receiver. This causes a significant drop in the data rates. Also as the radio waves are being captured and transmitted, they reflect in various directions affecting the signal strength that reaches your antenna.
2. Placing your antenna stick in a hole in a manner that it is submerged partially is another common mistake that people make. Mostly these holes are usually metal grids or ceiling panels. When the antenna is immersed halfway, it deters and sends the radio frequency waves upwards which creates a total mess, e.g., for your Wi-Fi connection. The antenna, in this case, is detuned and therefore, its energy is directed up.
3. Placing your antenna next to or against a thick wall is another mistake that is not recommended. When you move into a new house, you have no dictation of how the walls will be as the house is already constructed. Therefore, it is essential to take note of the thickness of the walls to determine where to place your antenna. Setting it next to the thick wall will affect the signal reaching the receiver because it’s trying to pick up signals from the wall.
4. If you have painted your antenna with metallic paint, it will cause signal attenuation. This mistake is common to many people and what they do not realize is that the metallic paint is an electrical conductor. This creates an electromagnetic field, which affects the transmission rate causing a loss in signal strength.
5. Lastly, people tend to place antennas on high ceilings, which affect the direction of the signal. When placed high, the energy from the antennas is deterred towards other access points. This causes co-channel interference.
Antenna alignment needs to be done right so that the signal strength remains high and attenuation is eliminated. If you do not know how to align your antenna, seek professional advice.
