We are finding that an omni node on a very high building in the middle of the city is slammed by hundreds or thousands of wifi access points and cell phones. To the point that its receiver is almost useless.  On channel 1.  

We also find that in areas of dense cell users such as a public event, that same happens. We are concerned about what will happen to our demo planned for the Dayton Hamvention.

Do others see this problem, and if so what solutions do you have?

I am aware of these possibilities:

1. Moving to channel -2, which may be possible in the future with the Ubiquiti boxes, but that is still only 3 channels, and we need 5 to get away from the splatter.

2. Use horizontal polarization.  Not as easily done, and more expensive for omnidirectional antennas. Yes, they do exist from several vendors.  L-_com currently has a sell-out sale going on. Normally $175, now $46. The antennas are bigger and heavier.

3. Use lower bandwidth settings.

4. Depend on proximity when your node is much closer than the other QRM sources, so the signal is stronger.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Bob W8ERD

Bob,

    We had similar problems at the Plano(TX) Balloon Fest.   Last year, while we were testing 3.4-GHz, 2.4-Ghz worked almost as well with high gain directional antennas.  Yagis and a 24-dB dish worked great for us despite having 50-70,000 people around the area.  Also, while 3.4-Ghz is not an option at the moment 900-MHz as well as 5.8-GHz Ubiquiti gear is.  Just depends on your pocket books at to switch bands or antennas.

        -Rusty-