Abstract--In a wireless network composed of randomly scattered nodes, the characterization of the distribution of the best signal quality received from a group of nodes is of primary importance for many network design problems. In this paper, using shot noise models for the interference field, we develop a framework for analyzing this distribution. We first identify the joint distribution of the interference and the maximum signal strength. We then represent the best signal quality as a function of these two quantities. Particular practical scenarios are also analyzed in which explicit expressions are obtained.