EVDOinfo Tip of the Week #39: Using Field Test Mode

Thursday, 28 January 2010

tip of the week by evdoinfo.com

EVDOinfo.com has long been your source for tips, tricks, hacks and suggestions for getting the most out of your EVDO service, and each week we will be highlighting a particularly interesting or popular topic in the "Tip of the Week" feature. To suggest future Tips of the Week, contact us at suggestions@evdoinfo.com or post your suggestions in the EVDO Forums.

Using Field Test Mode with VZAM, QLM, or Cricket

This week's tip is for the more technical Verizon,Alltel, or Cricket EVDO user who wants to get detailed statistics and information about their signal in real time. By following the steps below, you can find realtime RSSI information, frequency band info, and much more for both the 1xRTT & EVDO networks. This information can be helpful when trying to find the best place to mount your antenna, as you can view the RSSI in real-time, as well as see which frequency Verizon uses in your area. Note: This tip is only for folks using VZAccess Manager, Alltel's Quicklink Mobile, or Cricket Broadband software.

1. Open your connection manager software (make sure your aircard is connected to the proper port on your computer)

2. Hold Control + D (Mac users: Hold Option + D)

3. You will be prompted to enter a password. Verizon users will enter diagvzw; Alltel users will enter diagsmsi. [Cricket users enter ##ftm* ]

4. After entering the password, you will be presented a Support menu. Select "Field Test":

5. Now you should be viewing the "Field Test" screen, where you can view RSSI readings in real time, check the frequency that your aircard is using, and many other statistics about your cellular signal! Note: This information is split into two different categories, one for the CDMA/1xRTT network, and another for the HDR/EVDO network - the CDMA info shows up at the top, simply scroll down to view the HDR/EVDO info.