Use your moble phone or PDA to check EVDO or 1xRTT signal

Scott

Another thread about how to determine current network roaming status reminded me of the debug menu available on many phones: ##DEBUG then hit 'send' or 'dial'... though some models of phones have other ways to get to this feature, so you may have to Google to find out how to access it on your phone.

This is a great way to check signal levels and availability of 1xRTT and EVDO networks on your Sprint or Verizon mobile phone/PDA. You may be able to install and use a 'fieldtest' type app as well, depending on your device. Newer EVDO-capable phones indicate EV or 1X when either network is present (yet signal levels for each are different).

For instance:

Looking at the debug screen for my Verizon XV6700, I see a drop-down list in the upper left with three selectable menu items: 1X, HDR, and GPS).

While the 1X window indicated -71dbm Power level, the HDR (EVDO?) window indicated -76dbm Power level, 5dB difference, which is about the usual difference between 1xRTT and EVDO in my office.

It would appear that standard CDMA signal levels correlate to the '1X' stats, so even older phones that only do 1X could be used to check 1xRTT signal levels for an area.

Once authenticated/connected for an EVDO session, the HDR screen shows details such as requested data rate, data session state, and current IP address.

Feel free to post the method for accessing the debug screen or installing/using fieldtest on your phone, as well as any signal levels for your area(s).