External Mesh Antenna Code error while using Workbench

I don't see a range number in your post (I'm just curious). I would put the following code in the firmware of both devices while modifying the global to be the same in each device for each test:

bool g_externalAntenna = true;

void setup() {
    
  if (g_externalAntenna) {
    Mesh.selectAntenna(MeshAntennaType::EXTERNAL);  
  } else {
    Mesh.selectAntenna(MeshAntennaType::INTERNAL);   
  }
}

void loop() {

}

Also, because you are using SYSTEM_MODE(AUTOMATIC) with DeviceOS 1.5.0-rc.1 or 1.5.0-rc.2 , I would check out

https://community.particle.io/t/functions-and-variables-disappearing/54794

in case any issues listed there are affecting your tests.

Many thanks to