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Gamer03 · 10-15-2004, 12:57 PM

Sprint seems to be improving in my house.......

The new Sprint tower that has been turned on or is in the process of being turned on......and it has improved my signal in our house from -103 to -104 to -92 to -95 (which constantly varies).

I don't know for sure if the tower is on or not.......how can you tell?

My phone is changing from -103 to -95 then back down to -104 then back up to -95, -96, then back to -103....then to -94, then back to to -101.

Does this mean that Sprint is in the process of turning that tower on?

**The tower is approximately 2 miles almost due west of my house close to one of our local beaches.**

Thanks in advance.

larry · 10-15-2004, 2:07 PM

No that's just called signal pollution and has nothing to do with a new tower. Once a new tower goes on and assuming it's close enough to boost your signal (and take over and become the dominant pilot) you will see a consistent change for the better in service with no fluctuations like that.

Gamer03 · 10-15-2004, 4:43 PM

Ok. Thanks Larry.

On one side of our house (where my room is and our kitchen and family room is), I do notice that the signal has gotten better.....it used to be -103 to -104 and now it is -94 to -97 db's.

I wonder if that is "signal pollution" or if it does mean that the new tower is being turned on?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

larry · 10-15-2004, 8:59 PM

Either a tower is turned on or it's not. There's no in between.

Tony E! · 10-16-2004, 1:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamer03

Ok. Thanks Larry.

On one side of our house (where my room is and our kitchen and family room is), I do notice that the signal has gotten better.....it used to be -103 to -104 and now it is -94 to -97 db's.

I wonder if that is "signal pollution" or if it does mean that the new tower is being turned on?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

do you have any trees around your house? maybe the leaves are starting to fall off, so now is not blocking your signal as much....

larry · 10-16-2004, 2:39 AM

Tony has a good point. Trees certain times of the year can block signal. Here in So. Cal that's not much of a problem for us.

Gamer03 · 10-16-2004, 1:54 PM

We have Cypress behind our house in our preserve, but those trees don't affect our signal.

Is there such a thing as Sprint testing a tower before they completely turn it on to 100% working condition?

Would my local Sprint store know if a tower has been turned on or is in the process of being turned on?

Thanks again.

larry · 10-16-2004, 3:47 PM

Yes Sprint will sometimes test out their towers one or two times before turning them on for good but it's almost always done late at night or early in the morning between 11:00PM and 2:00 AM (that's the switch maintenance time). The local Sprint store would not know if a tower is being built. The RF (radio Frequency) dept. has absolutely no connections to the retail dept at all.

Gamer03 · 10-16-2004, 4:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry

Yes Sprint will sometimes test out their towers one or two times before turning them on for good but it's almost always done late at night or early in the morning between 11:00PM and 2:00 AM (that's the switch maintenance time). The local Sprint store would not know if a tower is being built. The RF (radio Frequency) dept. has absolutely no connections to the retail dept at all.

Larry, how do I find out if a tower is being completed? Is there a website or phone number for the RF department?

Also, on Sprint's website for towers (Java app.), when the tower says "future" tower, when in the future is that? By the end of the year? Now?

Thanks again larry.

I appreciate it.

larry · 10-16-2004, 9:41 PM

Sprint along with most other carriers does not disclose their tower project info to the public. If you see a future tower (green diamond) on the sprint tower map web site you can expect to see it anywhere between now and one year from now. There's really no time frame on them as they are always subject to delays.

Gamer03 · 10-17-2004, 3:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry

Sprint along with most other carriers does not disclose their tower project info to the public. If you see a future tower (green diamond) on the sprint tower map web site you can expect to see it anywhere between now and one year from now. There's really no time frame on them as they are always subject to delays.

Ok.

I will have to make time to drive out to the area where the tower is supposed to be at, and see how many db's I am pulling and look around for a tower (if it is not concealed).

Thanks again larry.

I appreciate it.

larry · 10-17-2004, 4:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamer03

Ok.

I will have to make time to drive out to the area where the tower is supposed to be at, and see how many db's I am pulling and look around for a tower (if it is not concealed).

Thanks again larry.

I appreciate it.

Yeah good idea. Look at the location on the map and see if you can spot anything. It might be co-located on an exsisting tower or it could be it's own tower (assuming they are building one right now).

MOTOhooligan · 10-19-2004, 5:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamer03

.......how can you tell?

Walk up to the tower. On the side of the tower there should be a switch (like the one pictured below.) If the switch is in the "on" position, the tower is on, if the switch is in the "off" position, the tower is off.

Yankees368 · 10-19-2004, 7:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan

Walk up to the tower. On the side of the tower there should be a switch (like the one pictured below.) If the switch is in the "on" position, the tower is on, if the switch is in the "off" position, the tower is off.

Thats right ladies and gentlemen...it's that easy!

larry · 10-19-2004, 7:19 PM

Actually it's the utility meter that I look at. If it's spinning it means there's power running to the site which is a likely indicator that the site is on the air. Problem is you can't always get close enough to see it if it's fenced in or a wall aorund it.

Gamer03 · 10-20-2004, 1:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan

Walk up to the tower. On the side of the tower there should be a switch (like the one pictured below.) If the switch is in the "on" position, the tower is on, if the switch is in the "off" position, the tower is off.

So that's what I have been doing wrong all this time.

Tony E! · 10-20-2004, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry

Actually it's the utility meter that I look at. If it's spinning it means there's power running to the site which is a likely indicator that the site is on the air. Problem is you can't always get close enough to see it if it's fenced in or a wall aorund it.

Ah, so that was you i saw that one time climbing over that fence looking like Spiderman...

Larry, what happened with those great photos you used to share with us from new towers being built and just ones that you would find?

larry · 10-21-2004, 3:21 AM

Yeah I still take pics every time I see a new tower. But I don't send out as many anymore because I thought it was getting a little old. lol

MOTOhooligan · 10-27-2004, 6:34 PM

I've never seen a tower under construction. I guess in my semi-rural area they have enough towers already... I wouldn't be able to send in pics, anyway since I don't have a digital camera. Maybe, since it's the 21st century and all I should get one of those.

ehcruzan · 11-08-2004, 2:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry

No that's just called signal pollution and has nothing to do with a new tower. Once a new tower goes on and assuming it's close enough to boost your signal (and take over and become the dominant pilot) you will see a consistent change for the better in service with no fluctuations like that.

If the signal pollution never existed before isn't likely that a new tower is causing it? Considering the new tower is 2 miles away, and Gamer sees an improvement in one room and a fluctuating improvement in another, my guess would be a new tower has been turned up, but it is too far to make a huge difference. I have fluctuating signal strength in my house which steadies once I step outside. In my case, solid concrete is the culprit.

10-15-2004, 12:57 PM	#1
Gamer03 Technology Aficionado Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Florida Everglades Posts: 8,632 Phone(s): BlackBerry Storm2 9550, Moto Adventure V750 (dad), Moto E815 (mom), LG Chocolate 3 (sis) Provider(s): Verizon (4 lines on a FS plan); AT&T (past) Devices: NB;GPS;Slingbox PRO;iPod 80GB;Kenwood DDX512 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts Images: 68	How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Sprint seems to be improving in my house....... The new Sprint tower that has been turned on or is in the process of being turned on......and it has improved my signal in our house from -103 to -104 to -92 to -95 (which constantly varies). I don't know for sure if the tower is on or not.......how can you tell? My phone is changing from -103 to -95 then back down to -104 then back up to -95, -96, then back to -103....then to -94, then back to to -101. Does this mean that Sprint is in the process of turning that tower on? The tower is approximately 2 miles almost due west of my house close to one of our local beaches. Thanks in advance. __________________ My Carriers: Cellular One (TDMA) [1998-1999]>>AT&T (TDMA) [1999-2001]>>Cingular (TDMA) [2001-2003]>>Sprint [2003-2005]>>Verizon Wireless [2005 to 2008]>>Sprint SERO [2006-2008]>>AT&T [2008 to present]>>Verizon Wireless INpulse [2009 to present]

10-15-2004, 2:07 PM	#2
larry Go Lakers! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,470 Phone(s): LG Rumor 2, Sanyo Katana II Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 30 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Images: 156 My Auctions	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? No that's just called signal pollution and has nothing to do with a new tower. Once a new tower goes on and assuming it's close enough to boost your signal (and take over and become the dominant pilot) you will see a consistent change for the better in service with no fluctuations like that.

10-15-2004, 4:43 PM	Original Poster #3
Gamer03 Technology Aficionado Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Florida Everglades Posts: 8,632 Phone(s): BlackBerry Storm2 9550, Moto Adventure V750 (dad), Moto E815 (mom), LG Chocolate 3 (sis) Provider(s): Verizon (4 lines on a FS plan); AT&T (past) Devices: NB;GPS;Slingbox PRO;iPod 80GB;Kenwood DDX512 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts Images: 68	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Ok. Thanks Larry. On one side of our house (where my room is and our kitchen and family room is), I do notice that the signal has gotten better.....it used to be -103 to -104 and now it is -94 to -97 db's. I wonder if that is "signal pollution" or if it does mean that the new tower is being turned on? Any ideas? Thanks. __________________ My Carriers: Cellular One (TDMA) [1998-1999]>>AT&T (TDMA) [1999-2001]>>Cingular (TDMA) [2001-2003]>>Sprint [2003-2005]>>Verizon Wireless [2005 to 2008]>>Sprint SERO [2006-2008]>>AT&T [2008 to present]>>Verizon Wireless INpulse [2009 to present]

10-15-2004, 8:59 PM	#4
larry Go Lakers! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,470 Phone(s): LG Rumor 2, Sanyo Katana II Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 30 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Images: 156 My Auctions	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Either a tower is turned on or it's not. There's no in between.

10-16-2004, 2:39 AM	#6
larry Go Lakers! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,470 Phone(s): LG Rumor 2, Sanyo Katana II Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 30 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Images: 156 My Auctions	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Tony has a good point. Trees certain times of the year can block signal. Here in So. Cal that's not much of a problem for us.

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10-16-2004, 1:54 PM	Original Poster #7
Gamer03 Technology Aficionado Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Florida Everglades Posts: 8,632 Phone(s): BlackBerry Storm2 9550, Moto Adventure V750 (dad), Moto E815 (mom), LG Chocolate 3 (sis) Provider(s): Verizon (4 lines on a FS plan); AT&T (past) Devices: NB;GPS;Slingbox PRO;iPod 80GB;Kenwood DDX512 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts Images: 68	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? We have Cypress behind our house in our preserve, but those trees don't affect our signal. Is there such a thing as Sprint testing a tower before they completely turn it on to 100% working condition? Would my local Sprint store know if a tower has been turned on or is in the process of being turned on? Thanks again. __________________ My Carriers: Cellular One (TDMA) [1998-1999]>>AT&T (TDMA) [1999-2001]>>Cingular (TDMA) [2001-2003]>>Sprint [2003-2005]>>Verizon Wireless [2005 to 2008]>>Sprint SERO [2006-2008]>>AT&T [2008 to present]>>Verizon Wireless INpulse [2009 to present]

10-16-2004, 3:47 PM	#8
larry Go Lakers! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,470 Phone(s): LG Rumor 2, Sanyo Katana II Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 30 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Images: 156 My Auctions	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Yes Sprint will sometimes test out their towers one or two times before turning them on for good but it's almost always done late at night or early in the morning between 11:00PM and 2:00 AM (that's the switch maintenance time). The local Sprint store would not know if a tower is being built. The RF (radio Frequency) dept. has absolutely no connections to the retail dept at all.

10-16-2004, 9:41 PM	#10
larry Go Lakers! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,470 Phone(s): LG Rumor 2, Sanyo Katana II Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 30 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Images: 156 My Auctions	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Sprint along with most other carriers does not disclose their tower project info to the public. If you see a future tower (green diamond) on the sprint tower map web site you can expect to see it anywhere between now and one year from now. There's really no time frame on them as they are always subject to delays.

10-19-2004, 7:19 PM	#15
larry Go Lakers! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,470 Phone(s): LG Rumor 2, Sanyo Katana II Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 30 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Images: 156 My Auctions	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Actually it's the utility meter that I look at. If it's spinning it means there's power running to the site which is a likely indicator that the site is on the air. Problem is you can't always get close enough to see it if it's fenced in or a wall aorund it.

10-21-2004, 3:21 AM	#18
larry Go Lakers! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,470 Phone(s): LG Rumor 2, Sanyo Katana II Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 30 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Images: 156 My Auctions	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? Yeah I still take pics every time I see a new tower. But I don't send out as many anymore because I thought it was getting a little old. lol

10-27-2004, 6:34 PM	#19
MOTOhooligan Droid you're looking for Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chili Town Posts: 6,708 Phone(s): a855, V3t, v620 Provider(s): Voicestream Wireless, Western Wireless Devices: Motorola S805, Motorola HS350, Apple MacBook Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts Images: 21	Re: How Can You Tell If Sprint is Turning On a Tower? I've never seen a tower under construction. I guess in my semi-rural area they have enough towers already... I wouldn't be able to send in pics, anyway since I don't have a digital camera. Maybe, since it's the 21st century and all I should get one of those. __________________ iDon't but Droid does.

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