From the MOTOTRBO mailing list. Names omitted to protect the innocent.

While I understand the meaning of RSSI in the WiFi world, I am curious if  a LOW (i.e. -60 DBm) means a better signal being received from the  DMR repeater I am connect to, or is a -106 DBm a better signal.

While I think this might sound like a remedial question, I am trying to get clarification.

Appreciate any information you can provide

The first reply:

LOWER IS BETTER

And the light clicks on

-106 is lower than -60. Are you guys sure you’re explaining yourselves well?

Such is just basic number theory.

(Negative numbers) Weaker signal <- 0dBm -> Stronger signal (Positive)
The 0dBm point is the reference – one milliwatt. Numbers below or above are that many dB above or below one milliwatt. In the case of receivers, the signal strength is usually very well below one milliwatt. In the case of transmitter output power, it is often above. In either case a higher number is a better receive signal, and -60 is higher than -106.

It always just bothers me when I see this as someone who thinks a growing absolute value of a negative number in this field will be chasing their tail FOREVER trying to figure out reception problems. 😉