A measure, in decibels isotropic, of how effectively an antenna focuses radio energy in a particular direction compared to an ideal omnidirectional antenna.
Higher-gain antennas concentrate signal in a tighter beam, extending range in flat terrain but reducing coverage directly above or below the antenna. For Helium hotspots, choosing the right antenna gain for the local environment (urban vs. rural, rooftop vs. ground-level) is one of the most impactful hardware optimizations. Claiming a gain higher than the actual antenna is a form of fraud detectable via RF analysis.
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