Clearnet Mike Logo Nextel Logo Clearnet Mike / Nextel iDEN Test Mode Information
 
This page last updated Jan 15th, 1999 

This page gives info on how to access iDEN handset test information. Motorola iDEN phones and services are sold by Clearnet Communications in Canada as "Mike" and Nextel Communications in the US.
i1000 To access the test menu from any older generation (ixxx) handset, quickly press the following keys in sequence: 
Volume Menu Menu Menu -> Menu Menu ->
Volume 
Down		 Menu Menu Menu Right 
Arrow		 Menu Menu Right 
Arrow
For the new i1000 the sequence is much shorter: 
Volume Menu ->
Volume 
Down		 Menu Right 
Arrow
 
 
1. This will bring you to the first menu function showing the following:
SQE/Carrier
28.93/3DA-3
Exit Trace
 
 		 SBE stands for the Signal Quality Estimate and the actual Broadcast control channel (BCCH) that the phone is currently idling on. These numbers correlate to a particular sector of a particular cell. Clearnet's iDEN system uses either 1 (omni-directional), 2, or 3 sector sites. 
Hitting the Trace button will cause the screen to alternate between normal mode and test mode every 2 seconds or so.
2. Hit the -> again to get to the next menu (and each subsequent menu):
Tx/Rx Power
-00db  -90db
 
 		 These are the Transmit and Receive power levels of the handset.
3.
ESN
 
 		 ESN or Electronic Serial Number. Unknown (doesn't show actual ESN)
4.
Disp Grp ID
123456
 
 		 Handset Dispatch Group Identification
5.
Disp Ind ID
123456
 
 		 Handset Individual Group Identification (hexidecimal)
6.
Mst Mode
 
 		 Unknown
7.
RF Pendulum
12
 
 		 Unknown -- Something to do with handset timing?
8.
Pend Offset
12
 
 		 Unknown
9.
Level Set
 
 		 Unknown
10.
Time 0/Freq
8628736700
 
 		 Frequency that handset is tuned to. In this case 862.8736700 MHz
11.
SW Version
R12.34.56
 
 		 Handset software version
12.
CP Version
12.34/56.78
 
 		 Unknown
13.
Build Date
Mon Dec 06
 
 		 Date phone was built 
14.
Radio Type
MS-PP3:1
 
 		 Unknown
15.
ER Log [0]
List Empty
 
 		 Log list for fatal errors
16.
Fatal Error/#
000000 00
 
 		 Fatal error code number
17.
RESETS[0]
List Empty
 
 		 Number of times the handset has gone through a Master Service reset
18.
25.93 4FD-1
-00 87 0
Exit Trace
 
 		 This screen is similar to the first screen, but gives information similar to the Field Debug screen feature on Clearnet's PCS phone. 

 The first number is the SQE. A value above 28.00 is a very strong signal and means you are quite close to an iDEN cell. Values between 22.00 and 27.99 are good and anything below that is fair to poor (lower value is worse). 
The second number is the idling channel (see number 1 above). The second line gives the handsets transmit attenuation and receive strength. Compare all these values with your signal strength icon in the upper left corner of your handset.
Note: Hit the <- button twice as a shortcut to this screen after entering the test menu.
Can anyone help me fill in some of the 'Unknown' screen functions? Do you know of any other secrets or tips for Clearnet or Nextel iDEN Handsets? If so, please email me and I will add them!