How to Find Cell Sites

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Finding Cell Sites
Here are steps to aid you in finding the exact or approximate location of cellular sites. They can be obvious or they can be well hidden. The objective is to narrow down the location to a specific structure. You may never see the antennas. Keep in mind that most carriers often do not use their own sites, and quite often after constructing their own, sell them to some of the below companies. Look at Some Actual Cell Sites. Good luck on your cell site search.

ONLINE RESOURCES
There are lots of web sites that may help you narrow down locations of nearby cell sites. Some are not intended for "cell site detectives", so you may need to tread lightly. Some of the tower companies might provide information on the phone, but don't count on it.
- THE FCC
  This is a difficult site to navigate. Not all Cellular sites need to be licensed so only certain sites are listed, PCS sites are not listed. The best way to start your search is to click on Market Search, then choose Market Type: "CMA - Cellular Market Area", scroll to your market, then Radio Service Code: "CL - Cellular". Click "Search" and you'll be offered a list of cellular carriers. Click on a Call Sign, then the Locations tab. Another FCC resource is the Antenna Structure Registration which involves large databases and a Search that requires knowledge of the type of structure or licensee you're seeking.
- SPRINT SITES
  It's only Sprint, and this site has varied over time in its detail.
- T-MOBILE SITES
  Extensive list of T-Mobile-owned sites and their addresses.
- AT&T SITES
  Most AT&T-owned sites and addresses.
- KGI WIRELESS
  This is an easy site to navigate. They show existing sites as well has some, including buildings, that are available for new installations. They usually list the carrier that uses the site, mostly Alltel.
- CELLRECEPTION.COM
  A convenient presentation, although less-inclusive, of the FCC records, which are not a complete list.
- ANTENNA SEARCH.COM
  Mostly non-cellular sites but very easy to use and includes new cell sites that might go online. However, some sites are speculative.
- TELECOM SITE SOURCE
  This is a combination of tower location web sites, including Sprint's. Usually, you can't determine the carriers.
- NATIONAL WIRELESS TOWER
  A tower company listing sites in GA, NC, SC, TN, and who is currently on that site.
- AMERICAN TOWER
  They just own towers. You can't tell who is on it, if anybody.
- GLOBAL TOWER PARTNERS
  An easy to navigate site but no specific information on carriers. Reportedly they will tell you if you call.
- SBA TOWERS
  More towers for rent. Yes, many with nothing on them.
- GOOGLE EARTH
  Some users report being able to find cell sites by searching these aerial photographs. It can also be used with the links above to see if listed sites actually exist. Resolution varies by location.
- YOUR LOCAL CITY OR COUNTY WEB SITE
  There are several possible sources of cell site information here. Some jurisdictions have a list showing applications for building permits. Others have minutes of the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment or City Council meetings that address applications for cell sites. Look for "CMRS", Commercial Mobile Radio Service, entries.

"HUMAN" RESOURCES
You'll be surprised how much you'll learn if you just ask. This is a list of places to look for the right people. Some will ask your intentions. Normally, if you're honest and polite, they'll share what they know. You may need to be persistent, but always be nice.
- The Nearest Cellular Store. These employees are best approached in person. They should know nearby cell site locations, but often don't. If you visit a corporate-owned store, seek out the "geek", maybe the guy who fixes phones, and ask. Better are independent cellular stores, possibly Radio Shack, who have a broader knowledge of each carrier's facilities.
- Your City or County. These people can normally be reached by phone and there should be several people who should know site locations. The task is to find the right person. Virtually all cell sites require a building permit so the Building Department should know them all. However, these are busy people so you may need to ask around to find someone willing to help. Most cell sites need 'special consideration' so often a "Community Development" or "Facilities Coordinator" gets involved. Don't limit your search to public 'officials', normally the 'coordinator', clerk or even a secretary knows more than the boss. Don't overlook public entities who control large real estate holdings like your Department of Highways or school board.
- Building Managers. You may see or suspect a cell site located on the rooftop of a nearby building. Call the building's manager. Some buildings have a receptionist who may have spoken to the cellular installers and repair persons and know which carrier they are working with.
- Utilities. Cell sites can be found on water towers, power poles and other infrastructure. These organizations are often large and it may be difficult to find the right person to help you. Being nice helps your cause.
- Your Homeowners Association. Cellular carriers normally notify your HOA about nearby cell site installation and some actually rent space in your common areas. If you haven't contacted your HOA before, this is a great reason to look them up.
- Wireless Construction Companies. They could be as close as your yellow pages. These could be very small and you might end up ringing the owner's cell phone. Make a friend here, though, and you'll be golden. A 6-pack can help the exchange of information.

TECHNICAL RESOURCES
This is where you need to get up out of your chair and enter the real world. A cellular phone can be a useful tool to find cell sites. You are entering the world of "DF", Direction Finding, which can be simple or complicated.

Your Current Phone
The simplest and roughest way to find a cell site is to look at your phone's signal meter...the "bars". If you see "full" bars everywhere, you need to find a way to reduce the signal to the phone. You can wrap the phone will aluminum foil with just the screen exposed. The idea is to drop the "bars" on the phone's screen. Another possible method is to leave the phone on the floor of your car. Then, walk or drive in any direction. If the bars rise, you are approaching the cell site, if they fall, you are traveling away from it. Average the distance between where you find the 2nd highest reading and found your most likely location.

To further refine your search, travel in a perpendicular line to your previous search to find another average point of maximum signal. Where the two lines cross indicates the most likely location of a cell site. Radio signals can fool you, though. Your areas of greatest signal could be locations where your phone only happens to "see" a strong signal from a distant site.

Enter Your Phone's Programming or "Debug" Menu

This site search method is the same as above, but your phone can give you a more precise signal measurement. You need to access your phone's Programming Menu. Unfortunately, every phone is different in how it accesses it's menu. A web search with your phone's model number and "Programming menu", or "Debug" may yield results. The most common code for US CDMA phones was "040793". Enter the code and look for a screen that shows a number that is constantly changing...this is the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) which will vary as you move the phone around, even slightly. In the image on the right, that number is "F3". The number is normally shown as negative ("-"), and the weaker the signal, the greater the number. However, as in this case, some screens show a hexadecimal number, such as that on the right. The RSSI of "F3" is within a range from "80" as the lowest, to "7F" as the highest. As above, finding a way to reduce the signal at the phone provides more useful results. Don't drive and watch the screen!

Try an Old Phone
Some phones are easier than others to access their digital signal indicator. Older phones may be easier to "hack," although information on older models is disappearing from the web. Old digital phones are available at cheap prices at source like eBay. Analog and TDMA phones are not useful for searching.
Serious Direction Finding
There are serious "DF'ers" who track down radio signals as a hobby or as a life-saving tool. The Wikipedia has more on radio Direction Finding Devices as does the American Radio Relay League. Don't expect to find someone who will actually help you look for a site, but they may explain how to do it and direct you to other resources.

Be safe! Always drive safely when searching for cell sites. Keep your eyes on the road.

And this is what you will see when you have arrived.

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