 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cell Signal Strength |
Let's see how cell signal strength is measured and show you how you can display the actual
digital readout on your phone. Signal strength is actually measured in a negative numeric
range of -50 dB to beyond -110 dB. If your cell signal strength is -50 dB you would have a
fantastically strong signal, on of the best. In fact almost perfect. If your signal strength is -100
dB then you have a very poor signal and are probably ready to drop the call.
Wilson Electronics, a manufacturer of cellular amplifiers and cellular antennas has published a
list of phone and their key sequences to put them into test mode. Click here to view the list of
phones.
Sometimes you will need to make a call while in test mode to display the actual dB level of the
phone signal. Use 555-5555. This gets the phone going long enough to get a signal reading.
The first thing that you should notice is how much the cell signal changes. You might see it go
from -75 to -85 and back to -80. Cell phone signal strength is not constant. You would think
that if you stood in the same place that you should get the same cell signal all the time.
There are many variables to cell signal strength. Some of the more common ones are:
The tower only has so much strength. The more callers, the weaker the signal. This is whyyou might notice different signal strengths at various times of the day. For example at rush
hour on the freeway you may not have as good a signal as late in the evening because there
are more callers on the towers during rush hour when everyone is driving and talking on their
phones.
Now when someone asks you what your signal strength is you can tell them you have a "neg
75" (-75dB). That will impress them. Most people at the phone store don't even know what
your talking about.
digital readout on your phone. Signal strength is actually measured in a negative numeric
range of -50 dB to beyond -110 dB. If your cell signal strength is -50 dB you would have a
fantastically strong signal, on of the best. In fact almost perfect. If your signal strength is -100
dB then you have a very poor signal and are probably ready to drop the call.
Wilson Electronics, a manufacturer of cellular amplifiers and cellular antennas has published a
list of phone and their key sequences to put them into test mode. Click here to view the list of
phones.
Sometimes you will need to make a call while in test mode to display the actual dB level of the
phone signal. Use 555-5555. This gets the phone going long enough to get a signal reading.
The first thing that you should notice is how much the cell signal changes. You might see it go
from -75 to -85 and back to -80. Cell phone signal strength is not constant. You would think
that if you stood in the same place that you should get the same cell signal all the time.
There are many variables to cell signal strength. Some of the more common ones are:
 | Number of phones using the tower | |
| Data load on the tower (3G aircards etc.) |
The tower only has so much strength. The more callers, the weaker the signal. This is why
hour on the freeway you may not have as good a signal as late in the evening because there
are more callers on the towers during rush hour when everyone is driving and talking on their
phones.
Now when someone asks you what your signal strength is you can tell them you have a "neg
75" (-75dB). That will impress them. Most people at the phone store don't even know what
your talking about.