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Noob question about signal

is -63 considered good signal? just wondering because it only shows 1 bar yet I still can make calls and use data but for some reason I get 1 bar everywhere I go
 
so the lower the number, the stronger the signal? mine averages around -90 dbm

A gain of 3 dBm means your signal is 2 times as strong as it was before. Therefore, -60dBm is 30 times stronger than -90dBm.

Look at the chart here: dBm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Note the dBm vs. power in watts, look at the power difference when the dBm increases by 3 dBm and you will see that the signal strength doubles. for every 10 dBm change, the signal is 10 times stronger.

At -90 dBm, I wouldn't be surprised if your Eris starts dropping calls.
 
i haven't dropped a call yet...it's weird, i live less than a mile from work, yet the signal is 2 times better there than when i'm home...and there's nothing to block signal from the nearest tower.
 
A gain of 3 dBm means your signal is 2 times as strong as it was before. Therefore, -60dBm is 30 times stronger than -90dBm.

Decibels are exponential creatures. A 30 dB increase means a thousand-fold increase in signal strength.

At -90 dBm, I wouldn't be surprised if your Eris starts dropping calls.

I routinely make and receive calls at levels much lower than that. I'm showing -103 right now and calls go through just fine.

--Mark
 
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