Parabolic WIFI Antenna stopped seing networks?!

[ravaell]

Hello, I own a 24 dbi parabolic antenna from TP Link, this model. Antena TP-LINK TL-ANT2424B
I also own a pigtail cable (Tp link TL-ANT24PT3) that goes into my (Tp Link TL Wn 722)

I used the antenna to share the wifi of my uncle that is 2 houses away from me, now not anymore. It does not find ANY networks besides two that are right next to me but I dont have access to those.

I know it`s either the antenna or the pigtail because the WIFI adapter works fine with its default 3 dbi antenna and manages to find 3 networks but when I connect my antenna it only finds wifi as if there is no antenna and only the built in antenna from the adapter works.

How can I know for sure if it`s the antenna or the pigtail? I need to know for sure because buying a pigtail would cost me HALF the value of the antenna and so I`d rather buy another antenna if this one broke..

Is there a way to open the pigtail without destroying it to see if everything is good? Is there a way to test if the antenna is working properly? Thank you!

 

[bill001g]

The pigtail is a piece of wire with the special ends soldered not much else. The antenna is also pretty simple it is metal with the antenna connector soldered to it. Pretty much any failure is physically and it takes special solder skills to fix.

I would consider buying a outdoor directional bridge from ubiquiti or engenius rather than messing with all the parts. The cost for a whole outdoor bridge are about the same as just a antenna and they work much better because you are not restricted by lengths of microwave cable.

 

[ravaell]

I have decided to "open" the cable and I found out the copper was cut, probably from all the moving of the cable`s head it snapped.

Is there anything that can be done considering the copper wire is severed? Or should I buy another one? [expensive]!

Also can you guys maybe point out to just some head adapter instead of a long cable? it would be a lot better AND cheaper.

 

[bill001g]

If you want one that looks similar to the antenna you have look at ubiquiti airgrid. They have newer models that they push if you want to look at the older ones look at the legacy part. Most the new models use 802.11ac which will get you more speed but the remote end also has to be 802.11ac

 

[ravaell]

If you want one that looks similar to the antenna you have look at ubiquiti airgrid. They have newer models that they push if you want to look at the older ones look at the legacy part. Most the new models use 802.11ac which will get you more speed but the remote end also has to be 802.11ac

But my antenna is working. The problem is with the pigtail. I thought about cutting the cable really short since I have the ends of the cable the n male to the rp sma female and 3 m of copper wire and making a new shorter one, but I have very little knowledge about this.

 

[bill001g]

It is microwave cable the solder connection to the end must be perfect. It takes a lot of skill to solder these and it is a matter of heating the solder to the proper temperature and then having it not get a cold solder joint. I know most are solder with a special tool. I always buy premade cable after a few failure to make my own.