ESP32 AP poor performance??

[davefes]

Instead of using a HUAWEI-E8231 USB celluar modem as my AP I thought
I would try making my own network using the AP-mode on a ESP32.

I noticed using LinSSID that the ESP32 seems fixed on channel 1,
can't be changed and shows up as 60MHz wide.

I was able to send images to the HUAWEI down in the -85 to -90dBm
range. However, trying to send images to the ESP32 at -65 to -70dBm
would always fail in a certain location.

So, I set up another ESP32 just to measure the RSSI of the AP. I
did NOT try to make the ESP32-CAM measure the RSSI, as putting a
display on it might be another challenge.

So, with similar WiFi whips on both units and placing them say 100-200mm
apart I started testing. -60dBm OK, -70dBm OK, -80dBm OK and hiding behind
some bushes -88 to -90dBm OK.

However, moving to the place where I actually want to use it -67dBm and
no link. I shut down my other router and the nearest neighbour is about
150 metres away ... thinking that I might be getting interference issues.

I didn't expect the ESP32 AP to be as good as the HUAWEI, but I do not
understand why the stronger signal level further away (50 metres) is the
one that doesn't work.

I appreciate that there could be errors in measuring signal level using
another device, but not 15-20dB. I am in a remote location, so do not think
it is interference issues.

Any hints as to where to look?

[davefes]

Need to do more testing!