Is there a Signal Strength Logger?

[nonpaq]

I have an unlocked GSM WinMobile phone that I want to use to track the signal strength of the two major carriers in my area prior to settling with one. Does there exist a program for logging the signal strength that the phone has (i.e. number of bars) over a period of time. No GPS info required, just something that can do real time polling of the signal strength every few seconds/minutes and log it for later viewing.

Here's the scenario.... I start the program, drive bteween two locations, then look at the log to see if there were any "drop outs" along the way.

[nonpaq]

Looks like I'll have to make one myself.

I read that this registry key holds the GSM signal strength: HKLM\System\State\Phone\Signal Strength (DWORD value)

It shouldn't be so hard to make an application that checks the registry every set number of seconds and logs it.

BTW, Am I the only one who thinks this would be useful? It's something like wardriving for WiFi signals, but looking for GSM signal instead.

List of registry entries/tweaks here ( Windows_Mobile_5_Registry_Tweaks (http://wiki.modaco.com/index.php/Windows_Mobile_5_Registry_Tweaks) ). Is there a similar list for WM6?

[McHale]

Due to my Fuze having horrible signal strength (esp. compared to the Kaiser), I am looking for a program that does this. Did you ever write one?

Thanks,

-Mc

[nonpaq]

Yeah, I wrote a fairly basic one that checked the registry for signal strength every set interval (30 seconds), and wrote it to a text file with a time stamp. I wrote it in Visual Basic 2003 using the WM5 SDK and OpenNetCF, but it works in WM6.1. I'll see if I can dig it up and post it.

The downside is that the only point of reference is the time stamp, so if you see 0% in the log, you would need to remember where you were at that time. I added a sound file to play when the signal dropped below a set level so it would notify you if you are in a dead zone when running the program. It served my purpose for letting me know there was only one potential dead zone for my commute route, which lasted less than 1 minute (at 60 mph, that roughly 1 mile < 10%.)

An ideal program would log the GPS coordinates with the time stamp, but unfortunately thats beyond my skills.

[Registerme]

There is a tool out there, I've seen it but can't remember the name. Try to find it at pdagold or pocketpcfreeware.net. Records a graph and a file if I remember correctly.

[kino-kino]

@nonpaq:

It would be great if You could post it!

Thank You!

[nonpaq]

Can't find my version off hand. Only found an early version that had no menu controls. I will post when I find the final version . (I have to dig up my old HTC StrTrk and pull it off there.)

In the meantime, I searched the web and found a great app called PhoneToday that does the signal strength logging and more. Its a Today plugin that displays network info, missed calls, sms, etc, and the logging is more precise than mine.

It is a commercial application, and for WM pro phones only, but has a 14 day trial www.burroak.on.ca (http://www.burroak.on.ca/ptoday.html) . Site says registration only $5.50 with PayPal.

(My app was designed for smartphone, but worked fine on wm pro phone.)

Attached is the CAB for the trial version.

Sample PhoneToday log:
11/19/08 1:14:04 PM (1947806): Received signal acquired radio event
11/19/08 1:14:19 PM (1962636): signal strength: 61%
11/19/08 1:14:19 PM (1962675): Operator: T-Mobile
11/19/08 1:15:24 PM (2028175): signal strength: 61%
11/19/08 1:15:24 PM (2028210): Operator: T-Mobile
11/19/08 1:16:29 PM (2093292): signal strength: 61%
11/19/08 1:16:29 PM (2093338): Operator: T-Mobile

Sample log from mine:
Started -
11/18/08 - 11:19:57 = T-Mobile (90)
11/18/08 - 11:20:52 = T-Mobile (60)
11/18/08 - 11:27:49 = T-Mobile (60)

[kino-kino]

Thank You.

Important for me is the ability to get alerts, when the signal is poor - as Your own software does!

[nonpaq]

I've been playing with PhoneToday, and I have to admit is is far better and complete than what I wrote. It gives alerts, logs, displays as today plugin, andhas a companion scheduler application to automatically turn on and off the phone radio at set times, extending batterylife. I would have to say use it and forget mine. I dont know if the progammer is sill supporting it, but it looslike it is worth the $6 fee to register.

[McHale]

If you can still find your version, I'd like to give it a try. Since I'm using Manilla, the today plugin is useless. All I need is the functionality that yours does (and I only need it a couple rare times).

Thanks,

-Mc

[nonpaq]

OK. I will post it once I find it (I misplaced my old HTC StrTrk, where it was installed.) I may have to just recreate it.

[McHale]

hell, if you're not using the StarTrk, I'd consider buying it off of you, with the program on it. :) Always liked that phone but just never picked one up.

[nonpaq]

I'm holding on to the StrTrk as a spare phone (I have a Wing now -aka HTC Herald - and my wife has a Dash - aka Excalibur.) I actually liked this phone while I used it. Its a shame the StrTrk2 never came out, and Win Mo flip phones are dead. A WM6 (or 7) flip phone with a keyboard like the new flip blackberry pearl (or the tmo shadow) would be great. Add a touch screen...whoa. (Why not a touch screen flip phone?) I'll let you know if I ever get rid of it. You have quite a collection of WM phones.

BTW. I cant find the original logger application. I'm rewriting it in Visual Studio 2005. A simple Signal Strength logger. No bells or whistles (ie. no plug-in). Its actually easier in VS2005 than it was in VS2003 due to native code for WM5 and WM6. I just have to add the actual writing to a text file, and it will be done. It is currently capturing the signal strength (not precise.. only a 5 "bar" scale), and the carrier name. I probably will add battery level. I don't know how to do gps, so I cant add that. It will need WinCE CF2 or higher installed.

Oh, and alerts.... I just re-read you liked that feature.

[tin2001]

My apologies for digging this thread up, but I'm looking for a signal strength to GPS location logging tool for mapping coverage a bit more accurately than the telco provided maps.

I don't know how to do gps, so I cant add that.

Is this still the case? It would pretty much just need to save what comes in from the serial port the GPS lives on, wouldn't it?

[matthewjoy]

I managed to find this with a serial gen.
seeing as the developer no longer is around it may be OK to provide the gen?
I did not scan the files so use at your own risk.
Works fine on my HD2

MOD Edit: No warez allowed on XDA. This is your first and last warning.

[stephj]

Have a look at post number #2 in here. I posted it last week.

It logs Latitude,Longitude,Signal Strength,Mobile Country Code, Mobile Network Code,Location Area Code, and CellID


http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725568

[tin2001]

Nice one - I ended up writing my own, but never got it beyond a first test run where I discovered it needed some work. I also lost my need for it too, so it's just a curiosity thing now.