I published this info here several months back, but have since added more to it. The "5 Bar" signal level display, at the top right corner of your 8820 display is, "cute," but of little practical use as it is too vague and insensitive. With a more accurate, and sensitive way to indicate signal power, you can experiment with "how" you physically "hold" and use your BB, try an external antenna in remote locations, keep a "handle" on receiver sensitivity, etc.
A far better way to indicate cell tower signal strength is to display the actual signal power in "dBM." This is the signal power level, in decibels, referenced to a signal power of 1 milliwatt. The level will ALWAYS be a "negative" number as your signal level will always be less than 1 milliwatt, much less.
To change your display from "5 Bars" to signal power in dBM, do the following: With one finger, hold down the ALT key on the far left. Now, with your other hand, press the letter sequence NMLL. Your display should instantly change from "5 Bar" to signal power in dBM. To revert BACK to "5 Bar," do the same thing again.
There is ONE CAVEAT in doing this. An extremely WEAK signal, less than or equal -100 dBM, will NOT show on-screen becuz only 2 digits can be displayed. So, when your signal level gets VERY VERY weak, at, say, -99 dBM, a further drop will change the display to "-10," then "-11" etc, corresponding to signal powers in the -100 to -119 dBM range. This is of no real problem tho, as your phone probably wont work at that low a level anyway, BUT you can experiment with an iinduction coupled external antenna if you want. Also, it is highly unlikely you will ever see a signal level HIGHER than about -40 dBM, i.e. -39, -38, yada yada, dBM.
For those who are technically oriented, as most BB Users are, and want MORE, here is an approximate tabulation of the # of Bars vs. signal level in dBM:
1 bar ~ -102 to -120 dBM
2 Bars ~ -93 to -101 dBM
3 Bars ~ -87 to -92 dBM
4 Bars ~ -78 to -86 dBM
5 Bars ~ -40 to -77 dBM
I hope this is helpful information? i have learned a LOT from the Crackberry forums and am trying to "payback" in a way that I can.
That's pretty cool. When I have my hand around my phone holding it, the numbers go up 10 to 12 dbs. When I set it down it goes back to normal. I knew my hand blocked signal but not that much!
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
That's pretty cool. When I have my hand around my phone holding it, the numbers go up 10 to 12 dbs. When I set it down it goes back to normal. I knew my hand blocked signal but not that much!
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Cool! This tip should help you anr others use your phones in weaker signal areas now that you can SEE wat the level is. Make a NOTE of the weakest signal level your phone will work with; it is gud to know!
For those who are technically oriented, as most BB Users are, and want MORE, here is an approximate tabulation of the # of Bars vs. signal level in dBM:
1 bar ~ -102 to -120 dBM
2 Bars ~ -93 to -101 dBM
3 Bars ~ -87 to -92 dBM
4 Bars ~ -78 to -86 dBM
5 Bars ~ -40 to -77 dBM
I live 3 blocks from a cell tower and always have 5 bars on my Pearl but only get -80dBm. I don't think I've ever seen a higher number then that. I didn't use this trick to find out, I just went into Options, Status.
It works for the pearl. While holding down the ALT button, you need to press the [8/B/N] button twice to get the N before proceeding to press the M, and L buttons
---Edit---
Sorry, need to press the L button twice, so:
Hold down ALT, press [8/B/N] twice, press M once, press L twice
---Edit---
Last edited by gomezemog; 03-28-08 at 11:56 PM.
Reason: Clarification
wow, thanks so much! whenever i was looking at the number of the signal i was wondering which was better, a higher or lower number (ignoring the minus). so now in my mind, i want to see a "lower" number. i was about to ask about this because i couldn't find anything!
It works for the pearl. While holding down the ALT button, you need to press the [8/B/N] button twice to get the N before proceeding to press the M, and L buttons
Wow, GREAT! Thank you for helping all the real 'Pearls" out there. Good job.
