An APP that points to the tower you are currently using

[JerryF]

1/5/2012

All,

Here is a really nifty or shall I say really cool or maybe helpful APP.  See attached screen shot.

We were in Catalina State park in Tucson, AZ in our Motorhome and another motorhomer told me about this Android APP.  It is called OpenSignalMaps. 

This APP will bring up a map of where you are and then show your location on the map.  Then it will "take its time" finding the cell tower to which you are currently connected and draw a red colored line between your location and the tower.

All the local streets are shown on the map.  It seems to work best if all 3 of your GPS's are ON but it also did work well when I turned OFF the Verizon GPS  leaving only the other two ON.

With the rather weak Verizon 3G only signal at Catalina State park it took about 5-9 minutes to find everything and draw the red line. 

OTOH, when I drove through Tucson with it's stronger Verizon 3G/4G signal it found the first tower in about 2 minutes and as we were driving I watched it change to a different tower three times.  The red lind just jumps in a new direction...cool.  You can move the map around to see both ends of the red line it you uncheck "Turn OFF auto cenetring"  because if you don't it will keep centering on your location.

Be patient it is a bit slow but you won't use it that often; although, it might be nice to confirm which tower you use at your home, business location, or ???.

When I arrived home I just started it, set the phone down, went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, and about 5 or so minutes later it had found the tower.

It also shows the RSSI (name of the tower).

It's free so if it's to slow for you just uninstall it. 

JerryF

[Jax_Omen]

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.staircase3.opensignal

I think you forgot to link to it, but this looks like the same app. I ❤️ this app.

[JerryF]

Jax,

Yep, that's the APP.  I did forget to link it...thanks.

JerryF

[B33]

@ Jerryf:  that App It's ok Jerry when it's on target but mine seems to be a-little off at Times i updated it the other day so that might Help it some B33 

[JerryF]

If your location on the map is off press the MENU button (lower left corner of your phone).  Then when the next screen appears Touch "my location" and it will move the your blue colored location ICON to your current location.

Also, you can touch the tower ICON to see the tower's SSID, SID, and Received signal strength.  WIKI has good definitions for these acronyms.  If you go to CELLS (top of screen) you can also see the RSSI and the overview shows the signal strength in %.

JerryF