{"id":233,"date":"2012-09-27T20:13:09","date_gmt":"2012-09-27T20:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/help.netspotapp.com\/help\/?p=233"},"modified":"2024-10-22T13:35:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T13:35:11","slug":"how-do-i-start-my-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/how-do-i-start-my-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"How to start your first survey in NetSpot Home, PRO, and Enterprise"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p>NB: It is always recommended to review our survey <a href=\"\/help\/tips-and-hints-running-a-wireless-site-survey\/\">Tips and Hints<\/a> before you begin your own.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"max-width: 970px; margin: 0 auto 15px;\"><!-- 16:9 aspect ratio --><\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\"><iframe class=\"embed-responsive-item\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iUU3Ak8dAIw?si=nSjxp7TIdBAMcgir?autoplay=1&#038;autohide=1&#038;vq=hd720\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>1) <strong>Download<\/strong> and open NetSpot and switch to the <strong>Survey<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<p>2) Use the <strong>Create New\u2026<\/strong> option to create a new project. You can choose a name for your new project and add a description for added convenience. Choose the type of map (floor plan) you are going to use \u2014 you can either upload a file (it can be a previously created sketch, a blueprint, or a snap of Google maps area even) or draw a completely new plan directly in NetSpot. In case of the latter you can set up the area for your canvas in either feet or meters. <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-792 img-responsive\"  title=\"Create a new project\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/netspot2_start_survey@2x.png\" alt=\"Create a new project\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p>3) Click Select.<br \/>\n<div class=\"media post-download\">\r\n<div class=\"media-left media-middle\"><i class=\"box-40x40 icons icon-mac-xs  \"><\/i><\/div> <div class=\"media-body media-middle\">Learn more about NetSpot  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/netspotpro.html\">WiFi booster for macOS<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n4) <strong>Drawing a map.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll find the necessary drawing tools right above your canvas. Sketch a map of the surveyed space and don\u2019t forget that if your space is quite large and consists of multiple rooms or floors, it is convenient to sketch a map for each zone separately. You\u2019ll be able to add more zones to your project later, as well as either sketch or upload their maps.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-792 img-responsive\" title=\"Drawing a map\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/draw_map_survey@2x.png\" alt=\"Drawing a map\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Using an existing map file.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After naming your project and possibly adding a description for it, select the From file option, then click Select.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-792 img-responsive\" title=\"Start WiFi survey\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/wifiHeatmapNewSurvey@2x.png\" alt=\"Start WiFi survey\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p>5)  <strong>Calibrate the map<\/strong> by means of entering the length of a line that corresponds to some real-life stretch in your surveyed space or a square you know the area of. Choose meters or feet to correctly reflect the units you are going to use throughout your project. Click Continue.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-793 img-responsive\"  title=\"Calibrate the map\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/netspot-2-draw@2x.png\" alt=\"Calibrate the map\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.6px\"><strong>Set the precision of your data point<\/strong> (the spots on the plan you\u2019ll be taking measurements at). The larger and more open your surveyed space is, the less frequent sampling stops you need to take. The larger space with bigger object density will need more data points however for more precise heatmaps. Decide whether you\u2019ll be running Active scanning and which networks you are going to run it for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-793 img-responsive\" title=\"NetSpot Active Scan\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/netspot-2-active-scan@2x.png\" alt=\"NetSpot Active Scan\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p>6) <strong>Click Start Scan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>7) <span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.6px\"><strong>Walk to one corner of your space<\/strong> and click the point on the map that corresponds to where you are standing. The <strong>app will then take its first <a href=\"\/help\/terms-definitions\/#point\">measurement<\/a><\/strong>, which can take 10 seconds to a few minutes. Be sure to <a href=\"\/help\/are-results-directional\/\">stay still<\/a> during this time. It is finished when the red progress balloon turns into a blue circle and the distinctive audio alert sounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>8) <span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.4px\"><strong>Proceed moving<\/strong> from spot to spot and <strong>taking measurements<\/strong> as frequently as suitable for the type of space you survey, three data points is the minimum required. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Take your measurements close enough that the blue circles overlap slightly. Most of your surveyed area should be blue by the time you are done. <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-793 img-responsive\"  title=\"NetSpot completing\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/netspot-2-completing@2x.png\" alt=\"NetSpot completing\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p>9) Once you have covered the whole area of the map that you wish to scan, <strong>click Heatmaps<\/strong> at the top-right corner of the app window. (Note: <a href=\"\/help\/scan-part-of-map\/\">You don\u2019t have to scan the entire map area<\/a>. Scan only the portions you wish to survey for this zone.) <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-793 img-responsive\"  title=\"NetSpot Heatmaps\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/netspot_2_completing_2.png\" alt=\"NetSpot Heatmaps\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p>10) You can <strong>select various types of heatmaps<\/strong> from the drop-down menu at the top to analyze a variety of parameters and the effect they have on your wireless network coverage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-793 img-responsive\" title=\"NetSpot Heatmap visualization\" src=\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/netspot_2_heatmap_signal_level@2x.png\" alt=\"NetSpot Heatmap visualization\" width=\"650\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.2px\">To learn more about each heatmap type, view <a href=\"\/help\/netspot-wifi-heatmaps\/\">types and benefits of NetSpot WiFi heatmaps<\/a> in the knowledgebase. You can view <a href=\"\/help\/toggle-path\/\">What does the Footer menu do<\/a>? to learn how to adjust your heatmap views, including viewing detailed sampling points. Or view <a href=\"\/help\/save-export-print-survey\/\">How do I save, export or print my survey<\/a>? to be sure that you save your progress.<\/span><br \/>\n<div class=\"media post-download\">\r\n<div class=\"media-left media-middle\"><i class=\"box-40x40 icons icon-win-xs  \"><\/i><\/div> <div class=\"media-body media-middle\">NetSpot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/netspot-windows.html\">WiFi site survey tool for Windows<\/a> is here<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_counters\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top:2px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_c=new Array(\"twitter\",\"facebook_like\",\"google\");var hupso_counters_lang = \"en_US\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_twitter_via=\"netspotapp\";var hupso_url_c=\"\";var hupso_title_c=\"How%20to%20start%20your%20first%20survey%20in%20NetSpot%20Home%2C%20PRO%2C%20and%20Enterprise\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/counters.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NB: It is always recommended to review our survey Tips and Hints before you begin your own. 1) Download and open NetSpot and switch to the Survey tab. 2) Use the Create New\u2026 option to create a new project. You<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[433,29,391,28,27,431,432],"class_list":{"0":"post-233","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-site-survey","7":"tag-how-do-i-start-my-survey","8":"tag-measurements","9":"tag-netspot","10":"tag-start","11":"tag-survey","12":"tag-wifi-site-survey","13":"tag-wifi-survey"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=233"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7055,"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233\/revisions\/7055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.netspotapp.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}