How to check signal strength (RSSI)

ginggs

ginggs

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To see your RSSI in the Cell-C dashboard for Huawei modems (E1752, E1820, etc.), go to Settings, Diagnostics, click on the Network Status tab.
If your modem's dashboard does not display RSSI, try MDMA for Windows or mAcme for OS X.

vodacom3g said:
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.
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Thanks I always wondered what optimun levels should be.
 
Cobusvj said:
Please explain what is cell loading/breathing...
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As a tower becomes loaded with more users it will reduce its transmission power and shrink its coverage area in order to better serve those closest to the tower.
Users at the edge of the coverage of that tower will be handed over to another tower, or in some cases even drop off the network completely.
The solution is to use a high-gain directional antenna.
 
sigh ... mines on -95 atm ... how and where do i get an external antenna from and how and where do i put it
into this cell c stick?
 
Deep78 said:
sigh ... mines on -95 atm ... how and where do i get an external antenna from and how and where do i put it
into this cell c stick?
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I find the guys at Poynting Direct very clued-up and helpful. Just tell them which modem you have and which network you're on and they can advise you. They manufacturer an inductive coupler which fits over your modem, so nothing goes into it.
 
Cobusvj said:
I have just purchased one of these and I should get it by Monday. Will give feedback on it as soon as I can.
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You're probably still going to need the inductive coupler from Poynting, there's a lot of debate on whether the external antenna connector on the E1820 actually does anything.
 
ginggs said:
You're probably still going to need the inductive coupler from Poynting, there's a lot of debate on whether the external antenna connector on the E1820 actually does anything.
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From what I have read about the atenna it uses a CRC9 connector which plugs into the modem, so I don't think I need an inductive coupler?
 
Cobusvj said:
From what I have read about the atenna it uses a CRC9 connector which plugs into the modem, so I don't think I need an inductive coupler?
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Have a read through the thread I linked to above, some users have seen no improvement in RSSI or throughput when using the E1820's external antenna connector, but do see an improvement when using an inductive coupler. On the flipside, one user reported huge improvements just sticking a bent piece of wire into the connector, so your mileage may vary. :D
 
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ginggs said:
Have a read through the thread I linked to above, some users have seen no improvement in RSSI or throughput when using the modem's external antenna connector, but do see an improvement when using an inductive coupler. On the flipside, one user reported huge improvements just sticking a bent piece of wire into the connector, so your mileage may vary. :D
Click to expand...

As far as I understand it it is only the software that doesn't show the RSSI correctly when using an external antenna. So it might say you getting a bad signal but your througput would be much better than it was. Not sure.. but that is how I understand it.
 
RSSI--what is the significance

I have the Black Cell C speedstick which was advertised to do up to 21Mbps. The connectivity seems VERY variable to me with virtually none at both my home and work in Jhb. I was sitting in a coffee shop in Oaklands Jhb getting great connectivity and speed 6 Mbps with RSSI of -79db. I drove to work in Bedfordview and had virtually useless coverage could not get on to speedtest.net and the RSSI was -99db. Can someone give a laymans explanation of RSSI what it means and what values are good and bad
Thanx
 
The Best is -51 dBm the worst - 113 dBm. The closer to -51, the closer to the tower.
 
Mine has always been 81-85dBm, same for MTN.
And always get good enough speeds (2-8Mb/s).
Only one problem with CellC. Hope that gets fixed asap.
 
Cellc first impression / How do I check RSSI ?

Hi,
Well after having my landline stolen and Telkom being the most useless inbred retards I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with, I just bought and installed the Black speed stick to alleviate my internet addiction while I hope and prey that Telkom may one day choose to even slightly pretend to care about there customers.

Anyway, currently have the modem hanging by the window via USB extension.
Just downloaded Nvidia drivers, and all I can say is Wow. Really impressed.
Downloaded 120Mb in a few seconds at about 1200Kb/s :D

Going to speedtest.net though, only showed 0.5Mbps. Need to play around with the positioning etc, and find out my RSSI.

On the forum it says "To see your RSSI in the Cell-C dashboard, go to Tools, Diagnostics, click on the Network Status tab."

My dashboard does not have a Tools menu? Is it a newer or older version of the dashboard, or am I doing something wrong?

All in all, very impressed with CellC so far. A pitty it cant yet replace my need for Telkom, as doing +-60 GB a month would cost way to much.

Thanks
:)
 
Nope, don't have that option. Either I am being an idiot or something else is wrong......
Been through every button and tab. There is nothing about Diagnostics anywhere.
Does this screenshot look like the correct interface?

Thanks
:confused:


Untitled.jpg
 
That's a differant dash i haven't seen - is it a ZTE modem? not hauwei E1820? when u say its the black modem?
 
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