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Measuring Signal Strength (How to find RSSI)

Besides the signal bars, there is a more detailed way to see how strong your signal is. RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) numbers provide a better idea of what your signal strength is. The close the number is to zero, the better your signal strength is. Example: -65 dBm is a much better signal than -95 dBm.

Keep in mind that to get a good RSSI reading, your device should actually be moving data when the reading is taken. You might want to be doing a speedtest at http://speedtest.net and then record those speeds with the corresponding RSSI value, for your comparisons.

FYI, a good target RSSI is -80 dBm indoors. At that point, it is highly likely you are getting the full speeds that the tower you are connected to, will provide.

If you are using Apple's WWAN support to connect to the EVDO netowrk, then hold down the Option Key while in the WWAN drop down menu.

If you are using VZAccess Manager or Sprint Connection Manager, simply place your mouse cursor over the signal bars in the connection manager software as shown below.

OS X:

Windows:

Verizon:

Sprint:

the new SmartView connection manager puts RSSI under the bars
 

Alltel: (In your QuickLinkMobile panel, go to HELP)

AT&T:

Thinking about an antenna? Check out "Which antenna is best?" or call the EVDO Experts at 866-3GSTORE.

Before you call us, its best to call after you've done your 'site survey', know your RSSI values, and can tell us the answers to the following questions:

• what is the best signal you could find indoors, at location you want to use EVDO?
• at that location of best signal indoors, what were your speedtest.net results?
  
• what is best signal immediately outside and around your house?
• where you found best signal outdoors, what were your speedtest.net results?
  
• how far do you have to drive to find -80 signal?
• when you found -80 signal, what were your speedtest.net results?
• what's between you and that -80 signal? trees? elevation?
• assuming you need to mount an antenna outside your home/office, how much antenna cable will you need to attach to your evdo device? remember, the shorter the better. longer legnths may require the use of a dual-band, direct-connect, 3watt amp.
  
• do you need to provide better signal to just one device? or multiple devices? does each device you want to provide gain to, have a jack to accept an antenna adapter cable?