Measure Cable Signal Strength

If you suspect an issue with the speed of your cable Internet service, you may wish to test the signal strength of your connection. Whether you are preparing to purchase a new HDTV or experiencing slower than normal Internet browsing speeds, determining the signal speed will help you pinpoint any connection problems. There are numerous ways to test your cable signal strength. Use these tips to learn how to measure the signal strength of a cable Internet connection.

Steps

Select a Method of Measuring Cable Signal Strength

1. Run a live system scan. Run a live scan on the modem manufacturer's website. Some manufacturers offer a live cable modem scan that can quickly determine the strength of your cable signal.
   • Perform an Internet search using the brand name of your modem plus "signal status" to be directed to the manufacturer's website. The process is typically automated and will begin immediately once the page has finished downloading.
2. Download and install a network monitor or network management tool suite to measure cable strength. There are several network monitoring freeware applications capable of retrieving the desired information.
   • Navigate to a software download site or perform an Internet search for "network monitoring application" or "network scanner application" to access a list of network monitoring software programs.
3. Contact technical support. Contact technical support if a live scan or network monitor freeware application has failed to produce the desired information. Most cable installation technicians offer devices to test the cable signal strength of your cable Internet connection as a part of their standard tool kits. Additionally, most telephone support technicians will be able to access the required information from your modem remotely.
4. Purchase a digital transport adapter (DTA) or cable tester to measure the signal strength. Some cable providers will provide a DTA device free of charge to subscribers. If your cable provider does not offer a DTA device, purchase 1 from a local computer or electronics retailer.
   • Use a DTA or cable tester to determine the signal strength of your connection. The device should be connected between the modem and the input cable from a wall-mounted cable jack. Once connected, make sure that both the modem and the DTA have power, then press the "Info" button on the DTA. In a few moments, the results of the test will appear on the DTA's digital readout screen.

Understand the Information Provided by the Signal Test

1. Interpret the data produced following a signal test. A signal test will typically focus on measuring the connection frequency, the signal to noise ratio (SNR), and the downstream power level (DPL) of your connection. The DPL is the most important to understand in terms of your connection speed. A reading between -5db-0.0db means your connection speed is performing at or close to the optimum level. However, a reading below -15db suggests that there may be an issue with your connection speed.

Things You'll Need

• Digital transport adapter
• Network scanner application

Related Articles

• Sign Up for Cable Internet
• Measure Speed

See also

• Tag People in a Discord Chat on a PC or Mac
• Use Your Own Router With Verizon FiOS
• Install a Modem
• Set up a Private Network
• Connect Two Computers
• Block Your IP Address
• Find Your IP Address on a Mac
• Connect Two Computers Using USB
• Connect to a VPN
• Set Up Port Forwarding on a Router

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