Field Testing Cellular Coverage

Is anyone familiar with what test equipment is available for testing cellular coverage in a given location? Something handheld would be ideal.

My company is looking at a solution for transmitting data using the TM network, however, before we do that, we need to know what kind of coverage currently exist.

We're looking at Panama City, FL and Anchorage, Alaska.

Thanks,

guzzel

 

Jay,

Thanks for the reply.

I did look at the coverage that TM shows on their site, however, what I really need is a micro view of the quality of service (signal strength) specifically at the various work locations (i.e. inside enclosed buildings, inside hangers, around aircraft; basically all around an airfield).

Was hoping for a handheld device where I can quantify the coverage based on signal strength, then be able to graphically map out the results.

Do you know of any device that would meet this requirement?

guzzel

 

Clock,

Yes, obtaining cell signal reading is exactly what I need. Funny you should mention the Field Test Mode; I have a request in to Motorola for the code to get out phones into FTM, however, no one at Motorola seems to know how to do that with the phone we have. We have the Motorola 280.
Is there a site that would list the codes for this particular model?

guzzel

 

Jay,

I tried putting in the code, however, there's no response from the phone.

I did get a hold of Motorola's customer support (located in Argintina), and his research revealed that the Motorola 280 is not capable of going into FTM. Not sure if that's entirely accurate, but if so, it would explain the lack of info I'm getting from Google searches.

 

Myself and the other engineers in my office were wondering when this phone came out, and according to Phonescoop.com, it was blessed by the FCC in May 2001. Didn't know about that site 5 minutes ago, so thanks for passing that along.

Unfortunately we can't go out and buy another phone for what we're using it for, as this phone is very specific in nature, (http://www.gdc4s.com/content/detail.cfm?item=97aef0a4-96e4-4ab2-b33b-eb832c4bb4c2).

I did get a reply from the Motorola Customer Service rep (online, not the same as I got on the phone this morning) and she says that the info I need is proprietary, and I can't have it. Hummm, now i'm beginning to think it does go into FTM.

I may have to go through GD to get the info instead of VFR direct to Moto.

 

Although we'll use the phone for some voice transmissions, I believe the majority of the use will be to have the phone ignore voice and go straight into data mode in order to pass info. I'm wondering if we'll still have decent signal strength.

Is there a site that will list specifically the cell tower frequencies for a given location and which network operates on those towers?

 

Jay,

Thanks for the suggestion; we may just have to do something like that. However, I also suspect that some of the people stationed up there could probably do that for us with their personal phones.

 

Tried it, but no go.

In fact, with this phone, when hitting the menu button followed by the *, it locks the keypad.

Can you think of anything else it might be?

Thanx,

- GUZZEL