Question on range testing

We have been attempting to test the range of two Engenius 2511 200mw cards
over water.  Unfortunately we have not been able to setup a reliable 
test platform.
( ie. sometimes I can't get it to connect when it's 10 feet away! ).   
What we have
are:

 2 - Engenius 2511 EXT 200mw pcmcia cards
 1 - BitsyX ( Soekris-like embeded linux board ) with pcmcia slot
       running wireless-tools and hostap drivers.
 1 - Windows 2K laptop with windows Engenius drivers loaded ( + cygwin
      package for tools like scp etc ).
 2 - 15db Omni antennas
 1 - 15db Panel antenna

Software setup:

  BitsyX:  iwconfig wlan0:
                             mode: ad-hoc
                               essid: "bitsyX"
                            encryption: None
                ifconfig wlan0:
                           ip: 10.0.0.1
                      bcast: 10.0.0.255
                         gw: 10.0.0.1

  Windows:    "bitsyX" appears in available networks when the two units
                       are close together.  Added "bitsyX" to preferred 
network list ( only one ).
                       TCP/IP for the wireless card:
                                   ip: 10.0.0.2
                               bcast: 10.0.0.255
                                 gw: 10.0.0.2
    
 
When the planets align ( which is most of the time in our house ) we can 
ping
the embedded computer from windows.  This is a relatively calm ( radio 
signal )
environment where only one other wireless network exists. 

When we go to our test site ( lots of other wireless equipment in the 
area ) we
run into connectivity problems ( cannot even ping the other computer ).
The interesting thing is the imbedded computer "sees" lots of ap's in 
and around the
general geographical region of the windows box.  Although the signal 
levels are in
the -70 to -80 range.    The windows box is useless....as the drivers 
don't appear to
tell you correctly what "networks" it can see or an accurate signal level
( it appears to cache them from when the computer's were close together ). 

Ok...so you can see our frustration.  My direct questions are:

  1. Could it be that setting up ad-hoc mode with no encryption is 
allowing other
      wireless devices in the area to "steal" one of my test devices and 
thus not
      allowing a connection?  I thought it was sufficient to set the 
ESSID to something
      agreed upon and most likely unique.

  2. Are there any nice tools for monitoring the real status of the wireless
      card on a windows box and monitoring what it can "see"  in real time?

  3. Are there any standard configurations used in this type of "bridge"
      range tests?
                                   
BTW....we tested over Elliot Bay ( Myrtle Edwards/Elliot Bay Park to 
Hamilton Viewpoint Park
in West Seattle ).  4 meters off the water.  One panel antenna and one 
omni.  Also tried
both omni.  Saw lots of networks over in Magnolia from West Seattle ( 
all locked down ).

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated,

-R


-- 

"irreligous progressive liberal!"

irreligious = "not controlled by religious motives or principles"
progressive = "favoring improvement, change, progress, reform"
liberal = "Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish"

Sign me up for irreligious progressive liberal status right away, these are all the things I've always wanted to be!

-Alan Partridge

 Look!
 I just want sharks with frikken laserbeams attached to their heads!


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