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How to check Signal Strength

You can get a signal strength reading by issuing an AT+CSQ to the modem. You will
get a number on a scale of 0 to 31 with 0 being worst (< -113db) and 31 (> -51db) being best.

To calculate the actual receive level, issue the AT+CSQ command to the card. Take the
number before the ,99 and multiply it by 2. Subtract that figure from -113dBm and that will
give you your signal reading in dBm.

For example, a value of 13 results in -113dBm - (13x2) = -87dBm

and 17 in -113dBm - (17x2) = -79dBm.

For those who need to START -> RUN -> CALC to figure this out, here's the easy way...

0 < -113 dBm
1 -111 dBm
2 -109 dBm
3 -107 dBm
4 -105 dBm
5 -103 dBm
6 -101 dBm
7 -99 dBm
8 -97 dBm
9 -95 dBm
10 -93 dBm
11 -91 dBm
12 -89 dBm
13 -87 dBm
14 -85 dBm
15 -83 dBm
16 -81 dBm
17 -79 dBm
18 -77 dBm
19 -75 dBm
20 -73 dBm
21 -71 dBm
22 -69 dBm
23 -67 dBm
24 -65 dBm
25 -63 dBm
26 -61 dBm
27 -59 dBm
28 -57 dBm
2

29 -55 dBm
30 -53 dBm
31 > -51 dBm

Marginal - Levels of -95dBm or lower. At these sort of levels, it is very likely that you may
suffer low throughput and disconnects due to cell loading/breathing even with an outdoor
antenna.

Workable under most conditions - Levels of -85dBm to -95dBm. Probably worth considering
an outdoor gain type antenna. Could suffer poor throughput and disconnects due to cell
loading/breathing.

Good - Levels between -75dBm and -85dBm - normally no problem holding a connection
with this sort of level (even with cell breathing) without the use of an external antenna.

Excellent - levels above -75dBm. Should not be affected by cell breathing/loading and should
not require an external antenna.

Note: You can get a signal strength reading by issuing an AT+CSQ to the modem.
If you do not know how to issue the AT+CSQ command, here is more info on how to go
about it.

1. Open Hyperterminal (normally found under "Accessories" and then "Communications" in
HexP.
2. If you have not used Hyperterminal before and not configured "Dial-up Networking" it will
pop up the dialling properties box where you can fill in the dialling code. After that it will
open Hyperteminal and launch the New Connection Wizard.
3. On the first Wizard screen, type anything in the "Name:" block and click on OK
4. On the next screen, choose the datacard modem in the "Connect using" pull-down list and
click on OK
5. Click cancel on the next screen and you should come up with a blank Hyperteminal
window
6. Type AT and press "Enter" and modem should reply with "OK"
7. Fire away with the AT+CSQ command.

Follow directions in V3g's post to determine signal level.