If you have a 3G device, chances are you've experienced the frustration of a weak signal at some point. Wireless carriers have greatly expanded their coverage over the past few years, but there are still many folks that have trouble getting a strong signal, whether it's because of trees, construction, mountains, interference, or simply distance from the tower.
Luckily, in many cases you can improve your cellular signal by using an antenna or amplifier! 3Gstore sells a wide variety of signal-boosting devices and setups for all kinds of wireless devices, but one of the most common questions we hear at 3Gstore is "how do I know if one of your antennas or amplifiers will help my situation?"
The answer to that question lies in the type of performance you're currently getting from your device. By accurately identifying what your current signal strength is and by doing a few simple tests in and around the area where your signal is weak, you will be able to predict whether an antenna or amplifier will improve your device's performance before you order expensive equipment.
Doing a Site Survey with RSSI - 3G Modems
(Why do we ask you to do this?)
Besides the signal bars you're likely familiar with, there is a more accurate 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 closer the number is to zero, the better your signal strength is. For example, -65 dBm is a much better signal than -95 dBm. A good target RSSI indoors is -80 dBm; at that point, it is highly likely you are getting the full speeds that the tower you are connected to can provide. Keep in mind that to get a good RSSI reading, your device should actually be moving data when the reading is taken. We recommend doing a speedtest at http://speedtest.net and recording those speeds with the corresponding RSSI value for your comparisons. (If you are looking to improve signal to a phone/PDA rather than a modem, skip to "Doing a Site Survey with RSSI - Phones/PDAs" below)
In order to determine if your performance could be improved by an antenna or amplifier, we advise customers to do a site survey. By answering the questions below before you contact us, we can help you see two things: a) if better signal is available at your location, and b) if improving your signal will result in better speeds.
- What is the best RSSI value you could find indoors, at the location you want to use EVDO?
- At the location of best signal indoors, what were your speedtest.net results?
- What is best signal immediately outside and around your house?
- At the location where you found the best signal outdoors, what were your speedtest.net results?
- How far do you have to drive to find stable/reliable -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 get from the antenna to the device? Remember, the shorter the better! Longer lengths may require the use of a dual-band direct-connect 3watt amp to benefit from the antenna.
- 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?
How to find your RSSI - 3G Modems
If you are using a Sprint, Verizon, AT&T or Alltel 3G device, you can easily find your RSSI in your connection manager software OR in Apple's WWAN drop-down menu in OSX. You can use the screenshots below to help guide you. PLEASE NOTE: To see RSSI values you either need to operate your modem directly connected to computer's card slot or USB port, OR you need to have a modem that supports the RSSI value in web admin of a Cradlepoint router.
If you are using Apple's WWAN support to connect to the EVDO network, 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:
(sometimes VZAM will not show RSSI as a 'tooltip'. you can also find it using the "Help" menu under "
About VZAccess Manager")
Sprint:
as of december 2009, the latest sprint smartview for windows hides the RSSI under Tools > Mobile Info > Network. (click here for larger view)
older smartview puts RSSI under the bars
even older smartview puts RSSI as tooltip over bars
If you use Alltel, open your QuickLinkMobile panel and go to HELP:
Windows:
Mac:
For AT&T, the RSSI appears in the connection manager right below the bars:
For owners of a Sprint or Verizon MIFI check out our EVDOinfo.com Tip of the Week #9
Doing a Site Survey with RSSI - Phones/PDAs
(Why do we ask you to do this?)
To find your RSSI on a cell phone or PDA, you can refer to this PDF which will show you where to find your RSSI on most popular handsets, including Blackberry, Moto Q, and Palm models.
Doing a Site Survey on your phone will be a little different than testing with your 3G modem. Instead, we advise you to find the answers to the following questions before purchasing an amplifier or antenna for a phone/PDA:
- What is the best RSSI value you could find indoors, at the location you want to use your phone?
- What is best signal immediately outside and around your house? Make a call to ensure the RSSI is being updated.
- How far do you have to drive to find stable/reliable -80 signal?
- 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 get from the antenna to the device? Remember, the shorter the better! Longer lengths may require the use of a dual-band direct-connect 3watt amp to benefit from the antenna.
- 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?
How to find your RSSI - Phones/PDAs
Finding your RSSI on a phone or PDA can be a little tricky, since different manufacturers display it differently than others. To start, download this PDF , which has instructions for finding the RSSI on many popular models. If your device is not covered by the PDF, we recommend calling your cell phone provider for more detailed information or do a search in our EVDO Forums - our forums are full of great information and you may find that someone else has already had the same issue as you!
Thinking about an antenna? Do the Site Survey and check out "Which antenna is best?" or call the EVDO Experts at 866-3GSTORE.
Google Products Ratings
EV SSL Enabled
Authorized Reseller
Online Authorized Reseller