GSM Tower Strength

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SteveC - 24 Jul 2005 02:19 GMT

We have a new GSM tower here but it rarely registers full strength even when
you are under it. I have driven all around and out in every direction. The
TDMA would always go to the top. Is it that it is new and not up to full
strength yet? Is there a site on internet where you can find GSM tower
locations?

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R. P. - 24 Jul 2005 04:58 GMT

> We have a new GSM tower here but it rarely registers full strength
> even when you are under it. I have driven all around and out in every
> direction. The TDMA would always go to the top. Is it that it is new
> and not up to full strength yet? Is there a site on internet where
> you can find GSM tower locations?

How do you know that your phone company's transmitter is on it or
whether it is in operation or just in pre-op testing phase?

Rudy

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SteveC - 24 Jul 2005 23:22 GMT

The info from Cingular is that Unicel (formerly Cellular 1) operates the
tower and that that Cingular leases from it. Unicel Customer Service
confirms that it is their tower. It transmits TDMA and is being converted
to GSM. Apparently, it is doing both right now. Cingular has another tower
a few miles away that they built which will be operated by Unicel and will
be GSM. Unicel is a rural carrier which has announced it will convert fully
to GSM within 2 years. As a GSM tower, it does not seem to put out a strong
signal. I am hoping that this is because it is newly converted and they are
still working on it. I have 4 weeks during which I can cancel my contract
with Cingular if I am dissatisfied. I could go with Unicel instead but if
they are going to use the same towers, it really makes no difference.

>> We have a new GSM tower here but it rarely registers full strength even
>> when you are under it. I have driven all around and out in every
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Rudy

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Mark - 24 Jul 2005 05:10 GMT

How do you know that tower is for your carrier

SteveC Wrote:

> We have a new GSM tower here but it rarely registers full strength eve
> whe
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> strength yet? Is there a site on internet where you can find GSM towe
> locations

--
MarkPosted via T-MobileInfo.com www.t-mobileinfo.co

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Todd Copeland - 24 Jul 2005 13:09 GMT

> We have a new GSM tower here but it rarely registers full strength even when
> you are under it. I have driven all around and out in every direction. The
> TDMA would always go to the top. Is it that it is new and not up to full
> strength yet? Is there a site on internet where you can find GSM tower
> locations?

Usually your carrier will provide some type of map with the location of
their coverage areas. If it's their tower, you should see a cone of good
coverage around it. Also, depending on the frequency, the signal from the
tower can be very weak right under and next to the tower, picking up in
strength as you start moving away from it.

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SteveC - 24 Jul 2005 23:25 GMT

Thanks. I always got a 4 out of 5 and sometimes a 5 from the tower at TDMA.
My GSM varies from 1-6 on a 7 scale. It is the variation that slays me. It
seems weaker nearer the tower as you say. I didn't notice that so much with
TDMA. GSM phones are newer and may just be more sensitive to changes than
the TDMA technology was. I do think that I can make phone calls more
reliably with a 1 or 2 with GSM where as I needed a 3 on TDMA. The weak
signals were often not good enough on TDMA. Is that your experience?

>> We have a new GSM tower here but it rarely registers full strength even
> when
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> tower can be very weak right under and next to the tower, picking up in
> strength as you start moving away from it.

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Frater Mus - 27 Jul 2005 19:30 GMT

> Thanks. I always got a 4 out of 5 and sometimes a 5 from the tower at TDMA.
> My GSM varies from 1-6 on a 7 scale. It is the variation that slays me. It
> seems weaker nearer the tower as you say. I didn't notice that so much with

Although it is likely not a factor in this situation, it is possible
to overload the front-end of a receiver by immediate proximity to the
transmitting signal.

Most often seen by ham operators and scanner fiends who are right next
to the person who is transmitting. Counter-intuivive, I know.

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Toomas - 28 Jul 2005 18:13 GMT

No. Signal IS weaker near tower, specially when tower cover large area.
That because how aerials are designed. Where I work I get weak signal
and never closest - aerials are on the roof.

>> Thanks. I always got a 4 out of 5 and sometimes a 5 from the tower at TDMA.
>> My GSM varies from 1-6 on a 7 scale. It is the variation that slays me. It
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Most often seen by ham operators and scanner fiends who are right next
> to the person who is transmitting. Counter-intuivive, I know.

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John Navas - 26 Jul 2005 03:18 GMT

>We have a new GSM tower here but it rarely registers full strength even when
>you are under it. I have driven all around and out in every direction. The
>TDMA would always go to the top. Is it that it is new and not up to full
>strength yet? Is there a site on internet where you can find GSM tower
>locations?

How do you know you're not measuring a different tower that's farther away?

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Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

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