I have an unlocked Tmobile MDA using a Cingular SIM. I recently purchased an aluminum case (boxwave, PDair, I think they are all the same) to replace the free case. I love the aluminum case in every way except 1. The cell phone reception is MUCH worse with the phone in the case. I have read others get a 1 bar decrease, but in mildly weak areas (2 bars or less), the aluminum case kills the signal. I have actually missed calls. Even when the signal is OK, the case appears to degrade the sound quality over my Moto HS810 headset.
My question is, is their anything I can do about it (and keep the case)? Specifically, can I install an antenna that I can attach to the phone and have it glued to the outside of the case? Or, if I were to cut away part of the aluminum, where should I cut to maximize my reception while minimizing my modification? Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if they have what did they do to resolve it.
I love the case and would hate to part with it. I use it with my BT GPSr and the plexiglass allows me to see the screen without opening the case. My only problem is I forget to open the case sometimes and tap on the plexiglass .
Any help would be appreciated.
I don't have a wizard, but most phone will have an option for an external antenna. Look at the back of your phone, and see if there is a round rubber thing that is around 1cm in diameter. That's most probably a connector for an external antenna. I guess you have a connector out from there and take it out of your case or possibly use your case as an antenna. BUT, I'm not sure how dangerous will it be consider the radiation having direct contact with your body.
There are some threads here that mentioned external antenna, whom a user used to get reception for his room/office that is underground.
Are you sure?
I am using a similar case for my phone too, they are very useful and practical. But I did not face any problems of signal drop. Are you sure its not something else? Unfortunately this case does not have an opening for the external antena point of the phone. You might have to drill one.
I'm getting terrible reception in that case, too. The signal improves when I take the phone out of my pocket- so maybe it is the height or other obstructions?
Hmm. I might have to try a different case.
I too have the PDAir alu case. Definitely makes BT reception worse.
With my previous Himalaya I used to have a clearcase. No probs with that.
Would like that again for the Wizard, but afaik its not available.
Case Logic?
Hi there. I also have one of these aluminum cases. Your problems never occured to me. I've just fixed other problems thanks to this web site and the ROM developers.
For some reason reception for me on Cingular's network has never really been a problem before. I will keep my eyes open for this new development you all discovered.
Thanks for the heads up.
Case Logic?
Hi there. This is going to seem odd. My HTC Wizard worked great when I got it. I got an aluminum case for it and it seems that's around when my phone lockup problems seems to have started. Between that and installing the wrong version of Good. Long story short, I took the phone out of the aluminum case last night and as of now (about 12 hours) the phone hasn't frozen at all. I just completed installing latest Good on it and it's still working.
Is it really possible that all my phone freezing lockup problems are tied to the aluminum case? I've heard others complain about BT and dropped calls because of this case, but really. Anyone else heard of anything this bazaar?
Definately a problem with aluminum cases and the HTC G2 / Magic phone
OMG! I couldn't believe it but it is true, it appears that really is signal attenuation occurring with aluminum cases. I purchased this case: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350252703148&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
In case the link no longer works, it is the "HTC G2 Monaco Black Aluminum Case" from ba66s. It is similar to the high quality aluminum case that I purchased for my HTC Touch phone. While the HTC Touch phone did not suffer from signal loss, my HTC Dream (same as G2) definately suffers from signal loss. There is quite a noticable difference between in the case and out of the aluminum case. So far, I have noticed that it primarily means the difference between having a data connection and not having one. I am wondering if it is the 3G network is is mostly affected?
I should point out that the problem is less severe in an area of very strong signal coverage (3 - 4 bars). But the estimated 20% signal loss is significant where there is already a marginal signal (1 - 3 bars max).
Again, my HTC Touch did not seem affected by the aluminum case.... is it b/c of a different signal frequency, or the placement of the antenna that is causing an issue with the Android phone?
Can a section of the aluminum case be cut out?
I really like my aluminum case.... and before I ask for an RMA, I am wondering if the case can be modified by cutting a section out. Can anyone tell me where the antenna is located on the HTC Magic / G2?
Hello everyone,
I don't have an aluminium case, but I'll share the little I know with you, maybe we can help each other.
I think that your alum case is, sometimes, acting as a Faraday cage, shielding the device from outside signals, as BT, radio, etc. The eletronic signals arrive on the case and disperse themselves there.
As I've readed, some people seem to have good signal after getting the phone off the alum case, that can point to an evidence of this effect.
I'm basing this on guitar shielding. I've done it several times and de concept is the same: shield the eletronic cavity with metalic material so outside interference doesn't introduce any noises to the sound.
Honestly, I would recommend clear cases, or rubber cases. The only option I can see now is to drill a hole and put an external antenna, or to cut the back-upper part of the case, thats where the antenna is located.
Cheers
Related
I'm searching for a metal case for my new hermes. Anybody found one yet?
I tried it on ebay, but there are aluminium cases for wizard only.
signal killer
May I suggest that you don't buy a metal case for your Hermes. I am a long time Wizard owner (looking to buy a Hermes as soon as I can). I have had an aluminum case and always wondered what was killing my signal. If you do a search over in the Wizard forums you will see that those cases just kill your signal. Maybe the Hermes has some improvements, but I would be careful. Just thought I would save you from some frustration (and maybe some wasted money!) It's a shame, cause I love those cases as well.
Anyone found an aluminum case that would work yet? I have always hated leather cases never used an aluminum one, I just know I am gonna tear the screen up if I dont have something hard rotecting it while its in my pocket, basically I would be usin it in a manner like somebody would a sunglasses case, take it out when its in use, and put it back when its not..etc, and I'm not that important, if I miss a call due to bad signal, its no biggie.
Indeed. Aluminium does a good job of absorbing radiation. Sadly GSM is affected by it as well.
Well I haven't seen that at all with the Vario I get the same signal wether I have the case or not
Really? Vario was... a.... Wizard, was it?
Aye
You can find aluminium cases (silver or black) for the TyTN at www.pdair.com
i just received my PDAir aluminium case, it makes the device looks thicker. but at least u wont have to worry about cracking the LCD screen!
my previous ipaq pda and verizon vx6600 got LCD screen cracked due to sitting on it. i dont like to wear it on the belt, i like to put the pdaPhone in the pocket
I just received my aluminium case too. Here is a little information and some pictures I can provide.
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/doomer&article_id=4597663
I'd be very interested in any subjective assesments of the impact on signal strength, and battery life, as a result of using one of these cases.
I'd like one, but not if it significantly hampers the signal, or substantially drains the battery as a result of a need to run at higher transmission strength.
Until now ( exceed 12 hrs ), I didn't find any signal reduction. I have no problems calling out and accepting incoming calls while my hermes still wearing alumium case all the time.
I got mine PDAir case a couple of days ago. No reall problems really. nicely made, looks good (black one), and the belt clip is pretty good. Only one droped call, but I had one or two droped calls from home without the case, so I don't think it is the case. Overall I would recommend it.
If I get time over the weekend, I might post some hi rez photos of the black case with the Orange SPV 3100.
Ordered and received the black version from PDAir, I had ordered the invisible shield first, so my TyTN fit a bit too tight in the aluminum case cause of the shield..but it went in.
I am currently using this sucker so much that I really didn't like to have to flip the case open all the time to use it, I debated on removing the plastic window from the case, but just opted to throw it on the shelf within the first 15 minutes of opening the package.
I didt use it long enough to notice battery drain, but the signal strength was the same with or without the case, also the case hinges on the right hand side to allow it to remain in the case while using the keyboard..but it feels a bit weird, almost like its designed for a left handed person...hard to explain.
Well, I have had mine for about a week and I will say this,... THANK GOD! as I have dropped it since I've had the case and well,... IT WORKS!!!
I can get to all of the buttons AND even the antenna, it also ascut out for my lanyard that I use. Everything is accessable including the microSD card (why I don't know). It is a little difficult to get to some of the buttons with my big "sausage" fingers but it still serves the purpose that I need.
Unless I find a better case (which I haven't seen plans for) I sticking with this one.
PDAIR Great job!
I dropped my Tytn off the couch a few times after passin out while hangin out on IRC, the invisible shield worked very well...but I decided I would give the aluminum case another go..I removed the clear window and then thought the black case looked crappy around the silver phone, so I started to sand it down to polish it, I got all of the front cover sanded and part of the back, and went to see how it looked around the phone...I just held the phone and positioned the top cover over it, and then I noticed the screen flicker...I'm not sure if I missed this before I sanded it, because then I checked with different wallpapers and its not really noticeable with some and it only happens when the case is over it...kinda strange I thought, considering the phone has an aluminum bezel already around the screen from the factory, and I also did notice I would drop a bar on the signal if I wasn't in a strong area.
As many people making aftermarket stuff out of carbon fiber nowdays...I can't believe someone hasn't started making them for phone's/pda's
Its relatively cheap, and a lazy route of making them could be done by just vacuum forming one from an already made aluminum case.
What about Bluetooth? Does aluminium case shields it signal?
Got a black aluminium case from Boxwave. Looks and fits fine. Didn't notice any Bluetooth signal degradation so far.
BTW PDAir and Boxwave cases look identical - most likely both have the same OEM producer.
Got my aluminum case from dealone.com
Had my case since day two with my Cingy 8525. No problems noted, glad I have extra protection as I'm always bumping into things walking. Tables, chairs, etc. Mine is the monaco aluminum case in black. Absolutely love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Cingular-8525...s_sr_2/002-9456356-4411227?ie=UTF8&s=wireless
Just order 1 from there.
Enectic said:
Hmmm been using the M1 for a few weeks now. Never noticed this magnet issue. I know magnets can mess with hard drives but never heard of it messing with an LCD. Doesn't the ipad 2 smart cover have like 70 magnets? Looked it up, 31 magnets.
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I have not had any issues with magnets interfering with my display - but I noticed something odd yesterday:
When I first received my Gtab I had good WiFi connectivity throughout my home... but when I put it in a vinyl portfolio case that has several small magnets (for clasps & kickstand), I lots the ability to get a good WiFi connection in the rooms furthest from my wireless router.
Took the GTab out of the case and full strength signal returned.
Any electronics pros/engineers out there know if the magnets in a case would effect the WiFi connectivitiy/strength?
Is this something we should take into consideration when buying and using a case?
- michael
hey guys like the thread title states I'm looking for a bumper. I recently got an Aluminum one I found here on xda and I'm incredibly happy I can finally have some sort of a case on with my extended battery but it impacts the gps on my phone enough where I'd like to find a replacement. Upon further reading have found a couple threads about bumpers with some that I really like but they all seem to have the cutout to fit an antenna in the corner which I hear apparently the chinese version of the s2 has. The aluminum bumper I have now does not have such a cut out. I'd like to basically find a bumper exactly like this one (http://www.spigen.com/cell-phone/sa...sung-galaxy-s2-case-neo-hybrid-ex-series.html) but without the hole in the corner. I'll probably just end up ordering that bumper anyways but any help would be much appreciated. =D
Which case do you have now? I got a ikuba bumber case and my gps is fine.
I am using the bumper shown in this post (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1417661) If you look there are pictures in that thread ,some posted by me, which show that it lacks the antenna hole the plastic/silicone case I linked in my OP has. I can't seem to get a good lock on my gps after putting it on. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but either way it takes too long to make it worth it. I don't think it blocks the gps waves only impairs or bounces them a bit, I think this because before putting it on when I opened the google maps app it would say "accurate up to ten meters" or "accurate up to 5 meters" now it usually says "accurate up to 30 meters" sometimes even "accurate up to 50 meters". This wouldn't bother me but when I switch it to gps mode so it actually gives me directions as I drive it just says "lookiung for gps" on the bottom for a full minute sometimes more sometimes not moving from this screen at all. Maybe the case is not really made of alluminum because it's cheaper to manufacture other metals in china. (the case I'm using was shipped from and presumably made in china) I'm guessing from the lack of response that I'm probably going to have to deal with the antenna hole, I was really hoping for a US manufacturer maybe that doesn't cater to Chinese phone models.
The one I'm using now signal for indoor is around 40feets and out door its around 30 feet.
so much trouble just to get the back of the phone white...
eortizr said:
so much trouble just to get the back of the phone white...
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Who's trying to get the back of their phone white?
Sent from my graphing calculator using sheer force of will
I just ordered one off eBay. Aluminum alloy bumper with tripod hole. Plan to do a review once I reach my 10 posts. can't even provide a linky yet, but it's sold by rpas5404. It's for the i9100, but I'm quite sure it'll fit. I have the i777.
This bumper does have the corner cut out, I just realized. But that doesn't bother me.
So I am thinking of making a Farnsworth case for my LTE. Based on Warehouse 13.
I bought this case from Amazon. And i love it. Wallet comes with me everywhere. But I'm a big burly guy and holding this phone in its case feels out of place.
So i wanted to attempt to make a farnsworth tin casing. But im obviously worried that a tin case will interrupt some of my radios. Any Ideas or suggestions. Or warnings please let me know.
Pretty sure it has been tested (look in this q&a aluminum case thread). Think that radios were tested with plastic and aluminum case and both decreased signal by 2db. 2db isn't a big deal really. Really doubt tin will be much different as far as decreasing your signal with any significance.
Anthonicia said:
Pretty sure it has been tested (look in this q&a aluminum case thread). Think that radios were tested with plastic and aluminum case and both decreased signal by 2db. 2db isn't a big deal really. Really doubt tin will be much different as far as decreasing your signal with any significance.
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2db is a big deal when it comes to low powered devices such as cellphones. Granted 2db on the input signal is a slight loss, but that loss will also affect your signal transmission as well.
kf2m said:
2db is a big deal when it comes to low powered devices such as cellphones. Granted 2db on the input signal is a slight loss, but that loss will also affect your signal transmission as well.
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Even silicone cases reduce the decibels by a point or two. What is the trade off? Practically unnoticeable signal loss or scratched up phone you cant get as much $ for in trade-in? Both kinda suck, but you know...
Anthonicia said:
Even silicone cases reduce the decibels by a point or two. What is the trade off? Practically unnoticeable signal loss or scratched up phone you cant get as much $ for in trade-in? Both kinda suck, but you know...
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That's interesting since I have virtually no loss with my Otterbox Defender. But with a metallic case you will have signal loss. Considering that our phones only put out a few hundred milliwatts from the transmitter a 2db loss is quite a lot with a majority of your transmitted signal being reflected back into the phone itself. More instances of dropped calls, and slower data throughput is usually the end result due to the attenuation of both the receive, and transmit signals. Maybe not noticeable when you are very close to the tower but once you get close to the fringes of the towers receiver you will see the effects of signal loss than without a metallic case, or with a non-metallic case. But if looks is your thing by all means knock yourself out.
I'm not trying to get in an argument here. I thought a metal case would be worse for signal as well, but it has the same loss as your otterbox.
Recently just got a metal case and signal is exactly the same as when I had an otterbox on. Looks way better too.
Run your own tests if u don't wanna believe me and others who have posted the same thing.
http://www.casefanatic.com/samsung-2/galaxy-note-3/galaxy-note-3-love-mei-metal-bumper/
This looks great and its thin at .7mm.
I remember on the Note 2, I bought the hunterF iphone case and signal quality was horrible because of the back plate.
Do aluminum bumpers degrade signal quality? This was the best case I could find for maintaining the handfeel of the phone. I really enjoy the back texture and general slimness so I dont even want to use anything like a TPU case.
I had problems with this type of bumper on an iphone 4, but they had the antenna along the side so for the n3 this likely won't be a problem. One thing I noticed, at least in the renders, this case doesn't have a hole on the lower right side for (what many people say is) the temperature / humidity sensor.
seoulbrova said:
http://www.casefanatic.com/samsung-2/galaxy-note-3/galaxy-note-3-love-mei-metal-bumper/
This looks great and its thin at .7mm.
I remember on the Note 2, I bought the hunterF iphone case and signal quality was horrible because of the back plate.
Do aluminum bumpers degrade signal quality? This was the best case I could find for maintaining the handfeel of the phone. I really enjoy the back texture and general slimness so I dont even want to use anything like a TPU case.
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Not ure, but I can tell you this, I received my note III aluminum back cover replacement today (ebay), and it absolutely destroys signal, data is slow, dropped calls, remove it and immediately signal is back.
This is the one I bought
Samzebian said:
Not ure, but I can tell you this, I received my note III aluminum back cover replacement today (ebay), and it absolutely destroys signal, data is slow, dropped calls, remove it ..
is the one I bought
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Curious to know how the fitment is for your back cover. . Could you post pictures?
Aluminium bumper is a waste
There is a scientific reason how metal can block or boost signal.
In our case, aluminium bumper is blocking network antena in the phone.
On my iphone, it was not a problem, payne because the antena was not affected.
But now in my Note 4, it clearly blocks the network antena(as I saw the antena position on the note 4) and my signal gets lost.
I dont think that u'll have a problem, as the note 3 has the antenna on the back!
Wrong dude. It will block ur signal for sure. I bought 1 and checked. You will lost around 1-2 bars on ur signal.
Same as the metal back cover.
Actually i want to convert my note 3 to metal, so i bought 1 metal frame, 1 metal back cover. They make my signal weaker, 2-4 bars depend on ur location.
In my experience, dont waste ur money. I pay 30 bucks for both of them.
Ps: also block wifi signal too.