Hi everyone, I've had my Vibrant since mid-December and I love it except I get VERY spotty reception in my house.
I know it's not a carrier issue, as my mom and friends have the same carrier (Wind Mobile) and they seem to have decent/good reception at my place. My reception drops consistently in my main floor and is non-existent in my basement.
I'm running TW Bionix V with KA7.
Is anyone aware of a hardware fix (similar to the GPS fix) that might be do-able and works?
Thanks
Have you tried flashing different modems to see if any of them make a difference?
You may also be experiencing bad reception due to the fact that the antenna is located at the bottom of the phone so our hands block it when we hold the phone in portrait orientation. Why Samsung chose to be it there is beyond me.
I know what u r going thrugh, my 2 brothers have vibrants aswell and for some ****ing reason my vibrant has significantly worss signal then their vibrant. I already tryed opening it and puting an external antenna but it only helps if the antenna is going straight ought of the phone, as soon as I try to close the cover it losses its usfulness.
I've tried different modems in the past.
KA7 so far has been the best, but that isn't saying too much.
I have actually just opened up my phone and located the 2 copper connectors at the bottom right (when my phone is turned back-up). I read in the Correct GPS Fix thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878970) that these are the cell reception connections.
I put a small piece of rubber underneath the connection and SO far it actually seems to have improved it.
I will report back throughout the day. Typically I lose reception while walking through my house so I'll see if that happens as well.
*Sigh*
I think it may have been a placebo effect. The reception is still dropping off on my phone while in the house.
Doesn't seem like bending the copper connection does very much.
I'd just try different modems. For me, KA6 < KA7 < KA5/JL5 and KB1 has been great for download speeds.
You're holding it wrong! Hold it the correct way (at the top).
Just kidding, but yeah, try different modems. KA5 and KB1 gave me the best reception. Or maybe Tmobile has poor coverage in your area.
Why dont you use wifi calling feature at home. Then you shouldnt have a problem unless you dont have internet at home.
I wish I could use wifi calling!
I'm actually in Canada using Wind Mobile (not T-Mobile), and it doesn't work unless you're on the T-Mobile network/using their SIM if I'm not mistaken.
The coverage in my area is decent (my mom and friends get steady reception, while I do not).
It seems to be specifically for my Vibrant.
I will try changing the modem to maybe KA6 (I can just flash with CW?) and see if that fixes anything.
My phone have a hardware defect when i'm holding the phone on it's bottom left.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
mattchew008 said:
I wish I could use wifi calling!
I'm actually in Canada using Wind Mobile (not T-Mobile), and it doesn't work unless you're on the T-Mobile network/using their SIM if I'm not mistaken.
The coverage in my area is decent (my mom and friends get steady reception, while I do not).
It seems to be specifically for my Vibrant.
I will try changing the modem to maybe KA6 (I can just flash with CW?) and see if that fixes anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say your mom and her friends have great reception, just curious, are they using Smartphone?
Because if they are using feature phone then the phone might be displaying 2g network strength oppose to 3g which your phone by default tries to get on.
PaiPiePia said:
When you say your mom and her friends have great reception, just curious, are they using Smartphone?
Because if they are using feature phone then the phone might be displaying 2g network strength oppose to 3g which your phone by default tries to get on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are on the same network (Wind), my mom is using a Blackberry Pearl 9100 and my friend is using a Moto XT720. Both are set to only use the WCDMA network. So it wouldn't be a problem with them on 2G.
I just find it odd, some people are reporting great reception with the phone, but my reception has been half a$$.
Moved of: Samsung Vibrant > Vibrant General
To: Samsung Vibrant > Vibrant Q&A
Please put your questions to: Vibrant Q&A
**** I wish I knew what makes my vibrant reception worse then other vibrants. if it is the internal antenna then I might work something out but if it is a defective motherboard then I'll be waisting my time.
nuke777 said:
**** I wish I knew what makes my vibrant reception worse then other vibrants. if it is the internal antenna then I might work something out but if it is a defective motherboard then I'll be waisting my time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have noticed that my reception has improved when I started using a ruber/plastic case... somehow direct contact with my skin affected reception. I have an Otterbox Commuter.
muchelaguito said:
I have noticed that my reception has improved when I started using a ruber/plastic case... somehow direct contact with my skin affected reception. I have an Otterbox Commuter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I have noticed this also with my otterbox. Use to get 1 or 2 bars in parts of my house now i keep 3 or 4.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
The otter box lowers reception? What reception would you get with the back phone cover off?
rangercaptain said:
The otter box lowers reception? What reception would you get with the back phone cover off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, actually, the other way around. I have BETTER reception with the Otterbox, as weird as it may sound.
mattchew008 said:
I wish I could use wifi calling!
I'm actually in Canada using Wind Mobile (not T-Mobile), and it doesn't work unless you're on the T-Mobile network/using their SIM if I'm not mistaken.
The coverage in my area is decent (my mom and friends get steady reception, while I do not).
It seems to be specifically for my Vibrant.
I will try changing the modem to maybe KA6 (I can just flash with CW?) and see if that fixes anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I normally just load the modem into the internal sd card, then reboot into recovery and then install by "choose which to install> select it and say YES
That never has problems sometime CWM can hang it it is a hassle.
Also, there is a patch that allows to use wfi calling doesn't matter that carrier doesn't like it it works........
oka1 said:
Also, there is a patch that allows to use wfi calling doesn't matter that carrier doesn't like it it works........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you happen to know where to get this patch?
I'd love to give it a try, it would definitely make my life much easier
Related
I got the Aria about a month ago, and from day one i noticed my signal kinda sucks. I get full Edge, but 3G and now H (because of root/Lib Froyo) has just never been good. I came from a Blackberry Bold 9000, and it had FULL 3G at home and work. Now the same spots are pretty crappy so its not the location. Anyone else see this or have a solution?
I live in the boonies. I just toggle edge when I'm home due to wifi and 3g when I'm in town.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
sluzi26 said:
I live in the boonies. I just toggle edge when I'm home due to wifi and 3g when I'm in town.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive been doing that, but its aggrivating when I KNOW the signal is there, but the phone just isnt picking it up.
Dont everybody respond at once. My Edge is even weak. I might return the phone for another aria. No one else experience this?
Since I flashed FR006, I've noticed my battery has been quick to drain. Last night at work, I noticed my network changed several times, H, G, and E. I don't remember any issues when I was on R012. I intend to revert to R012 while at work tonight to see if there is improvement.
no one on any forums seems to be having this issue, im going to try and return the phone to see if that takes care of it.
-Kevlar- said:
no one on any forums seems to be having this issue, im going to try and return the phone to see if that takes care of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's Antennaegate!
On a serious note, I've never had signal issues here.
Maybe check the two gold tabs on the battery cover to be sure they are making contact with the phone.
I imagine the phone came from an AT&T store? There are many Arias on eBay that have replacement battery covers, and replacements with integrated antennas are hard to come by. Without the OEM battery cover my phone never gets 3g...
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Yeah, the antenna relies on the battery cover, which has part of the antenna in it via a pair of metal contacts.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
jeremyshaw said:
Yeah, the antenna relies on the battery cover, which has part of the antenna in it via a pair of metal contacts.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i know. they are making good contact.
Not sure if you are trying to determine if the problem is your area or your phone, but you could use something like "cellumap" to determine how your coverage at home compares to your coverage at work/where ever...
winsettr said:
Not sure if you are trying to determine if the problem is your area or your phone, but you could use something like "cellumap" to determine how your coverage at home compares to your coverage at work/where ever...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, i know its in the phone. my wifes BB 9000 has -71 dbm while sitting next to mine with -100 dbm
Gotcha. I guess the last thing to try is exchanging the phone, or finding a friend with an Aria to come compare signal side-by-side. Having come from a BB 9000 myself, I have not noticed any differences in signal quality/reception, but if I recall correctly the 9000's antennas are larger and more spread apart.
Same thing here, never once have I gotten a 3G connection. It's always Edge even though I know there's a 3G in my area. Frustrating.
I use aria. Came from iPhone. I actually get better service now in same area
If you rooted your phone and exchange it they will frown on that lol
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
I get 1 to 3 bars of signal in my house (kinda in the country) with my T-Mobile prepaid SIM in an Optimus T... but with this Vibrant, I barely get a signal -- a phone call is nearly impossible. I have tried two different ROMs plus stock and all seem to have this problem... Is this phone (the Vibrant as a whole) that bad, or is my phone possibly bad... any fixes?
Thanks much, Aaron
Any idea? I can sit on my couch and talk/hear just fine on my Optimus T and on my Sprint BB Tour w/ the T-Mobile SIM card in it... 1, 2, 3 bars...
This Vibrant mostly shows no signal.... once and awhile it will show a bar or two but calls rarely go through and when they do the reception is horrible. Do I have a setting issue? Could this phone be defective? I am really at a loss here... I am about to put it on Ebay as I am lost...
Thanks for any advice..
Check out the super build prop tweaks in the dev section. Helps with signal quite a bit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
Hello,
If you have your phones rooted and have cwm (clockwork recovery) or know how to use odin, then I would recommend trying different modems and see which one works best in your area. You can download them here. Let us know if you have any questions.
corpsetomb said:
Hello,
If you have your phones rooted and have cwm (clockwork recovery) or know how to use odin, then I would recommend trying different modems and see which one works best in your area. You can download them here. Let us know if you have any questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted it... tried a few different ROMs... and around 3 or 4 modems... none mattered... I will look into the build prop from the previous post though...
nope...
I added the data mods to the build.prop on yet another custom ROM (I had to reroot, etc as I had returned it back to stock after giving up) and it is showing more bars -- but still can't make a call from my couch -- which I can do perfectly well on my Optimus T.... Unless I get another idea on here, I am going to Ebay this Vibrant (I got it for a good price on Craigslist) -- and probably try a Sensation off of craigslist (anyone know if their reception is better?)...
Thanks much everyone!!
I've noticed something similar, just recently with my vibrant around my house I jump between 0 bar (usually around -109 dbm and 1 asu) to full bars (-89 dbm and 9 asu). I've grabbed my wifes MT4G and compared while I have zero bars she will have full bars (usually around -9 dbm and 11 asu). Not sure what's going on but flashed a couple of roms, tired all the modems, and played with build.prob. I guess there are just some spots that are Vibrant dead zones.
totalfarkuser said:
I get 1 to 3 bars of signal in my house (kinda in the country) with my T-Mobile prepaid SIM in an Optimus T... but with this Vibrant, I barely get a signal -- a phone call is nearly impossible. I have tried two different ROMs plus stock and all seem to have this problem... Is this phone (the Vibrant as a whole) that bad, or is my phone possibly bad... any fixes?
Thanks much, Aaron
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont know what causes it but i have four vibrants, mine wifes and two kids. they are all running current cm7 nightlies, and all perform pretty much the same, but two of them most of the time have edge and two have h quite often, thinking something went a-rye in the factory lol. as far as signal goes ive noticed that even when my wifes has full bars and sometimes mine may have 1 to none, they still seem to make calls the same. strange...sorry best i can do with my limited knowledge, i wish i knew half the stuff these devs know. id probably develop the best rom and also b divorced. good luck
Okay, so I went out and bought a Sensation from Craigslist today and it has the same signal issues... My Optimus T and my Sprint Tour (using GSM) have great signal in my house -- but this Vibrant and Sensation get little or no reception..... I am confused.
The Vibrant has poor wifi with my weak Belkin router (and it is a spendy one too, very frustrating) -- but the Sensation has nice wifi, so I guess I will keep it and use wifi calling cause I love the Sensation -- and I will resell the Vibrant.
Thanks for all the advice ya'll gave me -- or any more that you send my way
/Now to get to rootin' my Sensation, as I am sure I will do soon enough lol...
totalfarkuser said:
Any idea? I can sit on my couch and talk/hear just fine on my Optimus T and on my Sprint BB Tour w/ the T-Mobile SIM card in it... 1, 2, 3 bars...
This Vibrant mostly shows no signal.... once and awhile it will show a bar or two but calls rarely go through and when they do the reception is horrible. Do I have a setting issue? Could this phone be defective? I am really at a loss here... I am about to put it on Ebay as I am lost...
Thanks for any advice..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Hi All,
I am having a strange problem with my S2 since last few months. I am from Mumbai, India and using Airtel network. There is a spot in my apartment which has very poor network reception of Airtel and I face issues whenever my cell is in that spot for a while. It happens that whenever I take my cell in that area, it starts losing signal bars till no bars are highlighted on the status bar at the top. It keeps showing zero bars but does not show "no signal" icon. Then, after keeping my cell in that spot for a while when I bring it in a better connectivity spot, signal bars start increasing and it appears that my cell has better reception again. However, if anyone tries to call me or I try to call anyone, they get "Out of coverage area" message or I get "Network registration failed" message respectively. I am having this problem since the day I started using Airtel and have tried a lot of remedies but only thing that works is rebooting my cell. I have tried using OpenSignal app to reset my connection whenever my cell comes back from the spot but even that fails to revive it and ultimately I have to reboot.
Has anyone faced such an issue and any ideas about a fix? Does it look like an issue with my cell or could it be an issue with my network provider? I would prefer not to root my S2 since I have 3 years warranty on it but if you think that it's the only way out of this, please let me know your opinion.
Thanks.
Sounds like a carrier issue to me. You pretty much said exactly that yourself when you said 'There is a spot in my apartment which has very poor network reception of Airtel and I face issues whenever my cell is in that spot for a while'.
That's normal in many buildings. Particularly if the network coverage in your area is borderline or poor. I have a similar issue in my house, in a few rooms I get no bars & sometimes coverage drops out completely, whereas in my loungeroom/dining/kitchen at the back of the house I get good coverage (for me, anyways).
You could try different modems, which might improve things. You don't have to be rooted to flash these, you can flash them using Odin. Tho it is easier to flash them with CWM if you're rooted.
I use to had the same issue with my 3 carrier at my desk in the office, and still on 2g services. I but since last month they already improved to hsdpa network added more bts and now my blank spot became H.
Yes you may try to change other service providers
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Thanks for your suggestions guys. Yes, it might be only related to the carrier. But, I think that if signal goes down to zero and then when my cell is back in better coverage zone, shouldn't the modem take care of network registration by itself? My problem is that it doesn't. I have to reboot my cell every time after I come to know that my cell is showing signal bars but is not actually registered on the network. If I reboot my cell, everything becomes normal and so if it was just an issue with the carrier, shouldn't it continue like that even after reboot? If I think about it logically, I think following should help me out:
1. Try out a different cell for a few days and see if I face this issue or not.
2. If answer to 1 is no, then try out different modems on my S2 and see if that helps.
Actually, I just wanted to check if anyone else has faced this issue and figured out that something is not right with S2 drivers or something? That would help me with quick resolution of my problem.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Yep, your logic is sound ;-)
One thing tho. With regard to trying your sim out in another phone, you have to keep in mind the radio hardware is obviously different in different phones. And what that means is (and this is something I've observed on XDA), chances are you'll find the sim works perfectly in the other phone & you have no issues at all. This might be due to the actual equipment your carrier is using in the cell tower(s) you're close to, also the frequencies that gear is using might also be playing a part in your problems.
So definitely try it out in another phone & see what happens, but you could do worse than try out a bunch of modems in the S2 & see if that improves things.
crypticlight said:
1. Try out a different cell for a few days and see if I face this issue or not.
2. If answer to 1 is no, then try out different modems on my S2 and see if that helps.
Actually, I just wanted to check if anyone else has faced this issue and figured out that something is not right with S2 drivers or something? That would help me with quick resolution of my problem.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are carrier issues, and maybe even the material of the constructions, in my house there are rooms where there's almost no signal at all, and in the living room it's ok, you should try to see in which tower you are connected maybe thats the problem
I have also had these problems on various networks here in Australia. If you don't need the data network, you could try using 2G only option. But that's not really a fix, is it? I suggest you try a pre-paid SIM from another network provider, to test them out first, before re-contracting.
Good luck. :fingers-crossed:
MistahBungle said:
One thing tho. With regard to trying your sim out in another phone, you have to keep in mind the radio hardware is obviously different in different phones. And what that means is (and this is something I've observed on XDA), chances are you'll find the sim works perfectly in the other phone & you have no issues at all. This might be due to the actual equipment your carrier is using in the cell tower(s) you're close to, also the frequencies that gear is using might also be playing a part in your problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was also thinking about it. It could be the combo of cell tower and S2 that are not liking each other that well.. And, if that's the case, I really hope that the issue can be resolved by switching modem drivers. I will have to do some what-ifings to nail this down now.
I like the other suggestion by HotrodHarry on trying out 2G only option - not the best way out but will help me in zeroing down on the cause.
I've noticed my wifi reception dropping greatly as well as my cellular signal strength. I reflashed different modems and even went back to my regular one. Many times it wouldn't even regain the cellular signal at all. When I choose to search for network, it gives me an error.
As for wifi, I normally get almost full signal in all rooms of my house. Now I find I barely get reception and it completely drops at times.
I'm on Flapjaxxx's Cm9 rom if that means anything.
SOLVED: wifi antenna making poor contact internally. Adjusted spring contacts inside. All is well.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
madman604 said:
I've noticed my wifi reception dropping greatly as well as my cellular signal strength. I reflashed different modems and even went back to my regular one. Many times it wouldn't even regain the cellular signal at all. When I choose to search for network, it gives me an error.
As for wifi, I normally get almost full signal in all rooms of my house. Now I find I barely get reception and it completely drops at times.
I'm on Flapjaxxx's Cm9 rom if that means anything.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash a new modem that will boost signal in the carbon installer app
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Sorry, what's carbon installer?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
so no one else has this issue?
I walk 5 feet from my router and the signal drops to 1 bar.
I have this same issues ever since moving to CM9. My 5GHz N network is unusable. I'm five feet from the router with direct line of site and it's seeing about 2 bars (fair) and -70db. Moving 10 feet away moves it down to -80 or -90 and 19Mbps before it ultimately disconnects. I've tried reverting back to modems that I was successfully using on stock ICS, including UCLC5, UCLF6, and UCLE2, but none of them have made a bit of difference. Is there some other component aside from the modem that governs wifi?
My laptop and HTPC which uses a USB WIFI adapter and is about 20 feet away from the router have no issues getting 5 bars, and inSSIDr shows that I'm the only 5GHz AP in the area.
Anyone have any ideas?
Antenna issue? Perhaps an unlucky drop caused the antenna to become unseated?
It is possible to open the phone and push in the antenna.
rangercaptain said:
Antenna issue? Perhaps an unlucky drop caused the antenna to become unseated?
It is possible to open the phone and push in the antenna.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.....
We've seen at least two other users this week with a loose antenna seat, that required a repair to correct the lost signal issue..
this may not be the problem, but certainly something to consider....g
I neglected to mention that my 2.4GHz signal works great, 4 or 5 bars throughout the apartment. I'll take a look at the antenna. I don't supposed there's a less warranty-voiding way of doing it than pulling up the sticker?
I'm seeing the exact same thing. as soon as I rooted and flashed a custom rom my 5GHz has dropped to virtually nothing. my cell strength and 2.4GHz are weaker than they once were but 2.4GHz and cell is still very usable. my 2.4GHz drops to 19mbps constantly. I've bounced my phone back to completely stock ICS and that resolved the issue, though stock rom just isn't fast enough for me anymore so I'm back on Paranoid Android CM10 Aug27 release 1.992
A couple of other things, I use AT&T, my router is an ASUS RT-56U dual band wireless N, I live in an apartment complex where 2.4GHz is saturated, but 5GHz is clear and I live roughly 1 mile from the closest cell tower. I run my laptops in 5GHz and my streaming media in 2.4GHz. So for all intents and purposes my 5GHz should be much stronger.
Any thoughts on why the custom Rom is doing this?
If I have time today or tomorrow I'll do a backup and try out a stock ROM to see if the problem goes away.
Yes...It sounds rom related at this point...
A stock rom test, "With" a stock modem would be a good test....g
saturnspike said:
If I have time today or tomorrow I'll do a backup and try out a stock ROM to see if the problem goes away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update. Rolled back to OEM ICS 4.0.4 and my wifi reception is MUCH stronger. Guess I'll be staying with ICS.
madman604 said:
Update. Rolled back to OEM ICS 4.0.4 and my wifi reception is MUCH stronger. Guess I'll be staying with ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems I was wrong. I took my phone apart and checked out where the WiFi antenna contacts were. One of the springs was flat and barely making contact. I pried it up slightly and things seem better. I will update again if I am full of fail.
Just a tidbit:
On every one of my devices, with CM9/10 loaded, my 5Ghz signal strength is weak...
Sitting on stock, and my signal is fine for 5Ghz WiFi...
I said it back when CM9 was starting to become regular, it still hasnt changed...
Something changed in CM when CM9 and now CM10 came to be that 5Ghz WiFi now sucks very much badly!
The ONLY time I get full strength with 5Ghz is when my phone is sitting on my router, I sit maybe 3-4ft away (no walls, level, in-sight range), and it drops a bar sometimes two...
This happens on all my devices with 5Ghz WiFi and CM9/10, my HD2 (for example) on CM7.2 has matching 5Ghz performance with 2.4Ghz, but on CM9 its the craps :<
Update: yup. It worked. Full bars on WiFi in my house again. Even in areas where I had zero reception. Possibly a small drop caused the spring contact to be compressed.
Currently running. Flapjaxxx AOSPxXx ROM from Oct 23.
Sent from a phone that's Note-worthy, via XDA Premium HD app.
madman604 said:
Update: yup. It worked. Full bars on WiFi in my house again. Even in areas where I had zero reception. Possibly a small drop caused the spring contact to be compressed.
Currently running. Flapjaxxx AOSPxXx ROM from Oct 23.
Sent from a phone that's Note-worthy, via XDA Premium HD app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't by chance get any pictures did you?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Unfortunately no. But its fairly easy to see where the WiFi contacts are when you open the case. When you pull the battery cover off, there is a pad/ sticker on the upper left. That's the antenna, right next to the power button and SIM tray.
NOTE: DO NOT PEEL ANY STICKERS/PADS OFF
If you take the phone apart, the contact pads are right under it.
When the housing/is separated from the screen (snaps off) you can see two gold springy contacts that look like the ones in the SIM tray. Like this > . If its flat like this _ just pry it back open GENTLY. Only like 1mm.
Then reassemble phone and test in a recently known bad WiFi area.
Mine is finally awesome again.
AWS cellular reception is still mediocre since day one tho.
Sent from a phone that's Note-worthy, via XDA Premium HD app.
rangercaptain said:
Antenna issue? Perhaps an unlucky drop caused the antenna to become unseated?
It is possible to open the phone and push in the antenna.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I quote myself.
Wasn't desperate enough to crack open the phone just yet, but thanks Rangercaptain, you were right in the money
Sent from a phone that's Note-worthy, via XDA Premium HD app.
Going out of the comfort zone usually has its rewards. Good job!
My phone - I have ICS - S-OFF Amaze with Energy ROM and I had tried to apply blas0id tweaks.
The problem - In certain areas I don't have phone signal for a few minutes, then suddenly it will show 4 bars for a few minutes. In general the signal seems fickle.
Before ICS upgrade, when I had GB, I always had 4 bars in the same places. I *think* I had good signal with ICS before I did blat0id tweaks, but I am not certain of that. (ICS and the tweaks were within a few days)
My wife's Iphone still has excellent signal in those places. Tmobile Mytouch also has excellent signal in the same places. So something has changed on my amaze and not the cell towers.
What I have done so far -
1. went back to stock ICS by flashing the img file. That did not improve the signal. So then got back to energy
2. Tried another ROM - speedrom. No improvement in signal
3. Tried few apps like fresh network. They did not help
Please help me
What can/should I do? I love my amaze, but if I dont get consistent signal, I will have to replace it
Are there any tweaks that I can try?
How about the custom kernels that have been made for ICS recently, would those help?
Is there a way to increase the power to look for and catch on better signal? I can trade battery life for better signal
Thanks
I have same issue but with WiFi only. I never had GB I hope there is a work around
Sent from my Dark Unicorn Resurrected v.2.5 using xda premium
Found a workaround
This was dumb luck, but when I was trying to play around the app opensignal, it wanted me to set 2G for some of its functionality, since that functionality does not work over 3g. So I went to setup and set Network mode to "GSM Only" from "GSM/WCDMA Auto"
And walla! right after that my signal jumped from 1 bar to 4 bars and has stayed there. I went back to WCDMA and signal dropped, so now I change the network mode only when I need 4G. Its a pain, but at least, the signal is good when I need it.
So with that information, can someone help how I can tweak something to get my 4G and also good signal?
Thanks
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
kenneth11414 said:
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to kno also but let kno what radio u flash from the ruu
kenneth11414 said:
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
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I checked the version of my software and I think I already have R2
Build number
2.14.531.3_R2 CL373265 release-keys
So not sure if that would change anything
I have always had this problem as well sometimes I have 4 bars of signal then it drops to the X as in no signal,can't make calls or sends texts until it picks up again, happens totally random don't think it has to do anything with tmobile coverage since I live in the center of Miami. Also most of the time I have 2 bars of signal in most places, I believe it's faulty hardware
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
kenneth11414 said:
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
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Click to collapse
Krazex2005 said:
I have always had this problem as well sometimes I have 4 bars of signal then it drops to the X as in no signal,can't make calls or sends texts until it picks up again, happens totally random don't think it has to do anything with tmobile coverage since I live in the center of Miami. Also most of the time I have 2 bars of signal in most places, I believe it's faulty hardware
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
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Krazex .. did you try to set your network mode and see if that helps your signal stick around longer and get better signal? That is working well for me.
I've tried setting my network to GSA and my data speed dropped to 2G.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
soundping said:
I've tried setting my network to GSA and my data speed dropped to 2G.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
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yup, that's what this setting is supposed to do, but it increased the quality of my phone signal, that is what I am trying to make better/consistent. Because even after all the bells and whistles, calling someone/receiving the calls is the primary purpose of the phone for me and if that doesn't work, the phone doesn't work for me
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
My amaze won't get 4g in my house whatsoever, only switches to 2g when it feels like it.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda app-developers app
hasoon2000 said:
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
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Click to collapse
A new sim card is a good idea.. so is removing the back cover and cleaning off the contacts with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Taking something and SLIGHTLY bending out each of the gold contacts so they make better contact with the case, making sure there is no debris.
Another thing to look into- there is a TON of hacks for cellphone signal that can be done in build.prop.. playing with those settings is probably a good idea.
The last idea- the signal is actually NOT different. The number of bars it shows you is now just more ACCURATE. You still lose signal in ONLY the exact places you would have before.. but now when your phone would show you as having 1 or 2 bars(on gingerbread) right before you lose all signal, on ICS it shows you as having NO bars because you truly have almost lost the signal. It is VERY accurate, now that I am in an area with bad signal.. I have actually flashed gingerbread again and things did NOT get better, there was just fewer bars that weren't as accurate. But I lost signal in the same spots, and would lost 4g in the same exact spots..
hasoon2000 said:
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
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Click to collapse
RZJZA80 said:
My amaze won't get 4g in my house whatsoever, only switches to 2g when it feels like it.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda app-developers app
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Guys, OP here. This question/workaround is not about getting 4G. I am getting 4G just fine. Its about the phone signal (the bars). My amaze does not get good phone signal in some areas and when I set the network mode to GSM only (2G), phone signal strength and stability increases. and now I want to figure out how I can keep the setting to 4G and get a good phone signal
Silentbtdeadly said:
A new sim card is a good idea.. so is removing the back cover and cleaning off the contacts with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Taking something and SLIGHTLY bending out each of the gold contacts so they make better contact with the case, making sure there is no debris.
Another thing to look into- there is a TON of hacks for cellphone signal that can be done in build.prop.. playing with those settings is probably a good idea.
The last idea- the signal is actually NOT different. The number of bars it shows you is now just more ACCURATE. You still lose signal in ONLY the exact places you would have before.. but now when your phone would show you as having 1 or 2 bars(on gingerbread) right before you lose all signal, on ICS it shows you as having NO bars because you truly have almost lost the signal. It is VERY accurate, now that I am in an area with bad signal.. I have actually flashed gingerbread again and things did NOT get better, there was just fewer bars that weren't as accurate. But I lost signal in the same spots, and would lost 4g in the same exact spots..
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Hi SBD, thanks for coming in. I will look into build.prop (ro.ril properties I think) I will also clean any dust inside the phone, may be that will help. The sim card was new when I got my amaze .. but no harm in trying. So I will ask for a new sim card too.
However, in my case, I have a different experience. This is what I did in a weak signal spot.
Have 4G on. I get 0 signal. Can't make a call
go to 2G at the same spot, I get 2-3 bars. I can make a call
I used opensignal app to check signal strength in both cases. with 4G it showed 0. With 2G it showed 42%
Another test. On my route to drop kids off for their day camp, I was on a call (with 4G on) and dropped the call twice (bad reception areas) while going. I switched it to 2G and while coming back did not drop the call.
Before I found this workaround .. people called me and complained that it directly went to voicemail and I never got the call. (no signal). Since I found the workaround, I haven't heard that from anyone.
So I am convinced that there are some real issues in catching the signal with 4G on that get resolved in "2G only" mode. (may be it has to do with the kind of cell towers we have in our area and nothing to do with the phone)
will update if I find more
tnkrer said:
Hi SBD, thanks for coming in. I will look into build.prop (ro.ril properties I think) I will also clean any dust inside the phone, may be that will help.
However, in my case, I have a different experience. This is what I did in a weak signal spot.
Have 4G on. I get 0 signal. Can't make a call
go to 2G at the same spot, I get 2-3 bars. I can make a call
I used opensignal app to check signal strength in both cases. with 4G it showed 0. With 2G it showed 42%
Another test. On my route to drop kids off for their day camp, I was on a call (with 4G on) and dropped the call twice (bad reception areas) while going. I switched it to 2G and while coming back did not drop the call.
Before I found this workaround .. people called me and complained that it directly went to voicemail and I never got the call. (no signal). Since I found the workaround, I haven't heard that from anyone.
So I am convinced that there are some real issues in catching the signal with 4G on that get resolved in "2G only" mode. (may be it has to do with the kind of cell towers we have in our area and nothing to do with the phone)
will update if I find more
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Yea, it should be lines that have ro.ril that youd eant to change.. and fortunately one of those that you can add(it isn't included by default) will do exactly what you need, default to 2g signal when 4g is too weak. I actually need the same thing, in Jacksonville we have great signal.. except in this new place I moved into. It drains my battery by trying to stay with 4g.. but I don't have time before work to find it.
Look for a tthread by "master&slave" titled something like "super build.prop tweaks" in the vibrant forums, I THINK they had that line.. otherwise google around for something like "build.prop signal tweak" as if it isisn't in that thread, there's a really good one on some other forum.
Also, I remember there being some app that requires root that allows you to toggle between GSM preferred and 2g only.. it changes it at system level, and I don't think it was on the play store, I think it was on Xda.
But yea, I understand your dilemma, and until we get an alternative radio to flash(which I don't forsee), that is the kind of workarounds you need. If you find a reasonable solution make sure to post as it will help me too!
Sent from my nook color until my broke college students azz can afford the new nexus 7 tablet.. if my post from my nook color helped you, you COULD consider a donation..
Found that thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1151608
and a few others
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1227269
http://androinica.com/2009/12/hack-for-rooted-phones-promises-faster-2g3g-speeds/
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/9781-buildprop-roril-meanings/
I will try to figure out what these different ril properties control and which one to modify .. will report after my experimentation. I haven't found a good comprehensive explanation of all those properties yet.
Glad I'm not the only one...
hasoon2000 said:
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
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Click to collapse
I have had this problem ever since I got my phone in October (right after launch). Updating to ICS didn't help. i've been planning to root and try another ROM, but so far have been skittish as this is my only phone. hasoon, you say it's the SIM card? I am trying the switch to GSM only to see if it makes a difference. My problem is at home - I have terrible service and I live on a mountain with cell phone towers everywhere. My daughter's AT&T and my old AT&T Nokia E71x had excellent service there. I'll let you know if this helps. Maybe a trip to my local t-Mobile store is in order.
It's not the sim card. I noticed on google a lot of people have this problem with htc phones. It's just a bad radio.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
soundping said:
It's not the sim card. I noticed on google a lot of people have this problem with htc phones. It's just a bad radio.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
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We know. If you wanna help read my post number 16 or try some of the links he posted in 17.. we just need a decent workaround.