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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
tl;dr - TB is losing connectivity, almost no 4G, do I flash new radio? Which one? (post sounds less ignorant)
Out of nowhere I started to experience some really crippling internet & data issues. To be fair, I'm running CM7.1.1 which says that it has some known data issues, but I think these are a bit much.
I started to lose 4G connectivity completely - the symbol will show up on the screen, but just won't connect to anything. If I change the network mode to CDMA / EvDo it usually will pick up 3G at OK speeds, and will usually have 2-3 bars for regular cell coverage. 3G will work in and out, in for the most part. 4G I have managed to get up for about an hour, and now I can't get it at all.
Previously, I had a few disconnect issues but I'd reboot and everything would fix up quickly. I've done about 15-20 reboots in the past three days to no avail.
I figured that it might have something to do with radios... I spent a solid half hour or so researching flashing RUU's (how to, problems, etc.) and there is a LOT of conflicting information. Would flashing a new RUU help my issue? I think that it might... I'm currently on baseband 1.39.00.0627r (From the 1.70.605.0 RUU), and the latest is MUCH more recent.
I'd love some help / advice with if I should flash a new radio, which one, and if there is anything beyond the regular flashing / warnings that I need to worry about. Also, should I flash both LTE & CDMA separately? The names of the zip files are the same...one at a time? probably a noob question?
Hope this wasn't a repost of something, but I did a search first and couldn't see anything quite the same as this. Googled as well.
Cheers
Try ThunderShed it is much more up to date than the version you're running.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Thanks! If I flash a new radio is it going to wipe the device anyway? I wouldn't mind keeping my current setup, but if it's going to wipe there's no reason NOT to just upgrade to ThunderShed.
No. Try the radio that came with the newest ota. That's the one I'm using and it is working well.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Those didn't help much at all... I'm just going to flash ThunderShed and I'll bet anything I'm going to have better luck with that!
Exact samething started to happen with me except I'm running liquid gingerbread 3.2. Out of nowhere. My wife's thunderbolt gets great 4g connection but mine only 3g. I flashed latest radio but no dice. Wonder what's going on. I'm about to reset.
Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using XDA
I've had the same problem twice before.
First off, I normally use only around 4GB of data a month, except during months that I have to travel. I never, ever tether (too risky).
In December 2011, I went to go visit some family over the Christmas/New Year's break. They rarely use the internet, so they opted for a cheap dialup home connection. Luckily for me though, the area was covered by LTE. In order to keep myself occupied, I streamed some Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, and other videos to my phone. After around 20GB of usage, 4G and 3G just died. Despite me changing around from CDMA Only to CDMA Only (PRL) to LTE, I was only able to pick up 1x. Flashing new radios didn't fix it, flashing new ROMs didn't fix it, leaving the battery out overnight didn't fix it, travelling an hour away to another family member's house (different tower) didn't fix it, getting a new SIM card didn't fix it, getting escalated to Tier 3 support didn't fix it, completely formatting the phone and installing official RUUs didn't fix it. I spent about a week trying to diagnose the problem, and was about to just use my insurance to get a replacement. Put my phone in the charger one night, went to bed, woke up, and 4G and 3G were back, about exactly 7 days after it first went down. Very odd, but I just chalked it up to a system glitch.
However, the same thing happened again in May 2012. Again, I visited my family and watched videos streamed to my phone to keep me occupied. About 10GB into the month, I had to leave for a trip to the other side of the country. While there, I had some downtime a couple of evenings to watch some movies. At 15GB, a similar thing happened. I was unable to connect to 4G, but 3G (albeit terrible connection) and 1x (faster and more reliable than 3G actually) worked fine. I thought that maybe the tower I was connected to was just experimenting with 4G before officially flipping the switch. However, no matter where I went, I was still restricted to 3G and 1x. After a 2000 mile flight back home, I was still restricted to terrible 3G and 1x. Again, after about a week, the problem went away and I was able to get on 4G again.
So, either my phone gets finicky when I have a lot of data usage, or Verizon likes to temp. ban 4G users who use lots of data in a short period of time.
You, my friend, were being throttled. That is exactly what happens when you get throttled.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
My data usage was less if anything. You sound like you were getting throttled, I wasn't... mine are just obnoxious connectivity issues.
I flashed (and am still working on) Thundershed now, it's a beautiful ROM - I'd recommend to anyone running CM7.1.1 on TB to just switch over... it's the same thing (base CM9) and you get ICS as well which seems to have increased the performance anyway.
There were other annoying bugs with the TB build of CM7.1.1 such as the inability to have headphones in the phone while talking (people just couldn't hear you) and some weird proximity sensor issues on phone calls.
Hopefully this new ROM is going to take care of the issues that previously annoyed me... the TB is a great phone and I'm glad I'm going to be able to get the most out of it now.
Thanks for the tip off to that ROM, disconecktie!
Yea its a fantastic rom. I ran sheds stuff on the Eris for around 2 years and if it wasn't for him that device would have died quick.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
And now you're running this on your TB? Yeah, seems like the dev community over there really has a lot of respect... he's active and does bug fixes too, really great stuff. Cheers
He's a great dev but you wont see him on xda. People over here pissed him off. I didn't like 1.5 much but the fixes he brought to 1.6 made this rom awesome again.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
As far as ur radio issue I was having the exact same problem yesterday and I live in the southern California area. My girl was perfect 3g on her dinc, I couldn't get any data at all and when I did, only 3g. Killed my battery quick too cuz it kept having to reconnect. Quite annoying, seems to b better today tho. Could of been just an off day. It was weird too cuz i finally shelled out for a rezound battery and that was my first day experience. Lol I thought it was the battery till today when its been solid all day. Running gsb 3.3b btw with imos kernel.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
.SoFLy. said:
My data usage was less if anything. You sound like you were getting throttled, I wasn't... mine are just obnoxious connectivity issues.
I flashed (and am still working on) Thundershed now, it's a beautiful ROM - I'd recommend to anyone running CM7.1.1 on TB to just switch over... it's the same thing (base CM9) and you get ICS as well which seems to have increased the performance anyway.
There were other annoying bugs with the TB build of CM7.1.1 such as the inability to have headphones in the phone while talking (people just couldn't hear you) and some weird proximity sensor issues on phone calls.
Hopefully this new ROM is going to take care of the issues that previously annoyed me... the TB is a great phone and I'm glad I'm going to be able to get the most out of it now.
Thanks for the tip off to that ROM, disconecktie!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tshed isn't cm9. Its themed cm7.
Sent from my ADR6400L
.19 radios
I'm running Thundershed 1.6 w/ imo lean 184 6.2.1 using the .19 radios and other than having the GSM and LTE options ALL available to choose from, I'm having no issues at all. The 605.9 radios are very stable too. Hope this helps!
I suspect Verizon was working on the network for the past week or so. I had issues too, nothing big and I saw a few posts on AC where people had issues too. It seems to have resolved itself now.
I am in southern Cali too having the.same issue 4G goes in and out, 3g is solid I don't think I am near anywhere 4gigs...
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Thanks ✟
Moving to Q&A
similar problem
Hello all. First post. I'm a noob. Watched the video.
I see this post is 3 months old.
I'm having similar issues at home in Tyler, TX (we have 4G). One day my Verizon thunderbolt signal drops to 1X or nothing at all as far as data. This happens for several days. Verizon creates a ticket and calls me 2 days later to tell me it's not them. I travel to northern Kentucky (cincinnati area) to visit my son. Issue follows me to Kentucky. I root phone but am still using stock rom b/c I don't have a clue what I'm doing!
I travel to Dallas and my phone is healed. Blazingly fast. I can't keep up with it - it's so awesome. I decide I like this piece of crap after 1 year of hating it.
I travel home to Tyler today. I'm back to 1X or nothing at all.
Questions: So do I flash a rom with a different radio??? Is that how I can get a better signal? Scared straight b/c I have an E-key app that I use to get me into homes (home inspector) and I can't afford to have that app not work.
Thanks in advance
Bruce Noob
jbt816 said:
Hello all. First post. I'm a noob. Watched the video.
I see this post is 3 months old.
I'm having similar issues at home in Tyler, TX (we have 4G). One day my Verizon thunderbolt signal drops to 1X or nothing at all as far as data. This happens for several days. Verizon creates a ticket and calls me 2 days later to tell me it's not them. I travel to northern Kentucky (cincinnati area) to visit my son. Issue follows me to Kentucky. I root phone but am still using stock rom b/c I don't have a clue what I'm doing!
I travel to Dallas and my phone is healed. Blazingly fast. I can't keep up with it - it's so awesome. I decide I like this piece of crap after 1 year of hating it.
I travel home to Tyler today. I'm back to 1X or nothing at all.
Questions: So do I flash a rom with a different radio??? Is that how I can get a better signal? Scared straight b/c I have an E-key app that I use to get me into homes (home inspector) and I can't afford to have that app not work.
Thanks in advance
Bruce Noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in overton tx and I don't have that problem. Maybe try getting a new sim. You may also check to make sure the golden tabs on the back of your phone are in good shape and make contact with the gold pads on the battery cover.
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2
Switched to Sprint from T-Mo about 3 months ago. We switched when Amazon was having a 1 cent sale on all phones for new customers.
My first choice what the Photon, but I was swayed by the Super Amoled screen of the GSII Epic. I swore off Samsung phones after having the horrid Vibrant (with the never working GPS). I figured they must have learned from their mistakes...but nope.
Anyway, after 3 Epics (GPS, bad USB port and signal issues) I got tired of it and went and bought the phone I should have gotten in the first place, the Photon! :good: Wow!! I'm kicking myself for not getting this phone from the beginning. It just works.
Anyway, the only thing that bugs me is I still can't figure out how the signal strength bars work (with the dual colors). I've searched this forum as well as others and I'm still I think I understand the color coding, but not the bars themselves. The manual is no help as it doesn't explain the colors or bars.
I have six bars showing at all times. I assume that, unlike my previous phones, that the six signal bars will always show? At home one of the bars is always blue. In this example what does it mean?? I haven't had any calling issues and my data is plenty fast (4g) average 4.5 down.
Thanks!
The bars light up blue when you are connected to your Google account and are grey when you're not.
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
That I pretty much understand from reading other forum posts. Still wondering if I will I always see all the signal bars and how that corelates to my cell signal strength.
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
tweak89 said:
Switched to Sprint from T-Mo about 3 months ago. We switched when Amazon was having a 1 cent sale on all phones for new customers.
My first choice what the Photon, but I was swayed by the Super Amoled screen of the GSII Epic. I swore off Samsung phones after having the horrid Vibrant (with the never working GPS). I figured they must have learned from their mistakes...but nope.
Anyway, after 3 Epics (GPS, bad USB port and signal issues) I got tired of it and went and bought the phone I should have gotten in the first place, the Photon! :good: Wow!! I'm kicking myself for not getting this phone from the beginning. It just works.
Anyway, the only thing that bugs me is I still can't figure out how the signal strength bars work (with the dual colors). I've searched this forum as well as others and I'm still I think I understand the color coding, but not the bars themselves. The manual is no help as it doesn't explain the colors or bars.
I have six bars showing at all times. I assume that, unlike my previous phones, that the six signal bars will always show? At home one of the bars is always blue. In this example what does it mean?? I haven't had any calling issues and my data is plenty fast (4g) average 4.5 down.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats weird cause I have an Epic, Epic Touch and a GSIII and have no issues with any of them. In fact my Epic 4g has better GPS lock than my photon, both running CM9
tweak89 said:
Switched to Sprint from T-Mo about 3 months ago. We switched when Amazon was having a 1 cent sale on all phones for new customers.
My first choice what the Photon, but I was swayed by the Super Amoled screen of the GSII Epic. I swore off Samsung phones after having the horrid Vibrant (with the never working GPS). I figured they must have learned from their mistakes...but nope.
Anyway, after 3 Epics (GPS, bad USB port and signal issues) I got tired of it and went and bought the phone I should have gotten in the first place, the Photon! :good: Wow!! I'm kicking myself for not getting this phone from the beginning. It just works.
Anyway, the only thing that bugs me is I still can't figure out how the signal strength bars work (with the dual colors). I've searched this forum as well as others and I'm still I think I understand the color coding, but not the bars themselves. The manual is no help as it doesn't explain the colors or bars.
I have six bars showing at all times. I assume that, unlike my previous phones, that the six signal bars will always show? At home one of the bars is always blue. In this example what does it mean?? I haven't had any calling issues and my data is plenty fast (4g) average 4.5 down.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be wrong but from what I can tell you have 6 bars and will vary depending on your signal strength. Only time you won't see any bars is if cell signal is turned off (such as airplane mode). Even if there is no signal you should still get a no signal indication (at least I do).
Also, I was under the impression they turn a different color when using data, such as syncing with services.
tweak89 said:
That I pretty much understand from reading other forum posts. Still wondering if I will I always see all the signal bars and how that corelates to my cell signal strength.
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings > about phone > status > signal strength...
There are a few apps and widgets on the market that will put this information on a workspace for easier viewing.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Scottie,
I'm really just wondering if the bars reflect the cell signal strength at all. I know where to find it in the settings.
Sure would have been nice if they spelled it out in the manual! I mean, here at work I have 6 blue bars and get slower download speeds compared to my one blue bar at home. I guess it shouldn't bug me as long as it's working.
MikeyLee,
I had nothing but problems from the get go. Weak GPS on all three phones, the 2nd one also had the USB port fail (didn't know when it was unplugged). I went through 5 Vibrants when I was with T-Mo when they finally offered me a different phone. Sprint flat out said they would just keep replacing my phone with the same model so I just bought my Photon outright.
My wife had issues with her GSII. She kept dropping into roaming. Hers was replaced once and no problems since then. Her GPS works great, so go figure.
Blue bars is background data. Turn it off, and the bars are gray.
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
My bars fluctuate depending on the signal as do all three Photons in my house. If yours are always 6 bars you must be living near a tower
Know that the stock base kind of 'lies' to you, Sprint always shows more bars than you may actually have, most carriers seem to do this.
Download a signal app or flash CM7 or CM9 and you'll see the true strength of your signal.
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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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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.
Anyone here who switched from a Verizon S3? I work in an office with people who have the Verizon RAZR and Verizon iphone with no problems but my Verizon S3 says no signal and dies by 3PM. I've switched it out and it still sucks for reception but I like most other things about it.
I typically use 2000-3000 minutes a month so reception for voice is EXTREMELY important to me.
I either will move to the HTC DNA or One if the S4 has the same reception issues I had with my Samsung Galaxy and S3 on Verizon. If your S3 never gave you any reception problems that is wonderful for you but PLEASE feel free to start another thread saying how great your reception is or for you to tell me I must have gotten 4 defective phones and SIMs. This thread is aimed at helping me decide which phone to get.
To be clear, this isn't a thread about iphone or DNA or RAZR, Sprint S3, Tmobile S3 or ATT S3 reception or how you never had reception issues on your S3. This survey is specifically targeted to find out if people who had reception issues with the S3 got any relief with the S4.
Please do not check "yes this is a question" as all Qs get moved to Q&A. If you post a poll put POLL in the title instead.
Edited
FNM
From what I have read, the CDMA S3 had a poor CDMA chip/radio so that's why lot of them have issues on Verizon/sprint. If the Sprint S4 is any thing like the verizon one voice/CDMA wise then it should be way better than the S3 and even better than the ONE.
I know you said this wasn't about the RAZR, but I have had two of them and both of them had very bad signal issues holding 4G. The first one even had a hard time holding 3G or any thing for that matter. I got a S3 from Verizon for free in the end due to the issues just getting worse and worse along with Flash player not working on update 4.0.4 even though Flash player should work just fine on ICS.
4ktvs said:
From what I have read, the CDMA S3 had a poor CDMA chip/radio so that's why lot of them have issues on Verizon/sprint. If the Sprint S4 is any thing like the verizon one voice/CDMA wise then it should be way better than the S3 and even better than the ONE.
I know you said this wasn't about the RAZR, but I have had two of them and both of them had very bad signal issues holding 4G. The first one even had a hard time holding 3G or any thing for that matter. I got a S3 from Verizon for free in the end due to the issues just getting worse and worse along with Flash player not working on update 4.0.4 even though Flash player should work just fine on ICS.
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I'm much much much more concerned about call reception than 4G. I work with someone who has the Verizon razr and they never have reception issues at the office. I can't make or receive calls on my Verizon S3 at the office.
boe said:
Anyone here who switched from a Verizon S3? I work in an office with people who have the Verizon RAZR and Verizon iphone with no problems but my Verizon S3 says no signal and dies by 3PM. I've switched it out and it still sucks for reception but I like most other things about it.
I typically use 2000-3000 minutes a month so reception for voice is EXTREMELY important to me.
I either will move to the HTC DNA or One if the S4 has the same reception issues I had with my Samsung Galaxy and S3 on Verizon. If your S3 never gave you any reception problems that is wonderful for you but PLEASE feel free to start another thread saying how great your reception is or for you to tell me I must have gotten 4 defective phones and SIMs. This thread is aimed at helping me decide which phone to get.
To be clear, this isn't a thread about iphone or DNA or RAZR, Sprint S3, Tmobile S3 or ATT S3 reception or how you never had reception issues on your S3. This survey is specifically targeted to find out if people who had reception issues with the S3 got any relief with the S4.
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I had terrible S3 reception. The DNA has a solid Radio.
I'm hoping the S4 has a really good one too, or else, i'm sending mine back, the only thing that sucks with the dna is theres no root, and theres no way of s-offing it currently.
I am curious as well as samsung has a history with bad radios and hoping they finalyl figured it out, otherwise I will have to pass.
4ktvs said:
From what I have read, the CDMA S3 had a poor CDMA chip/radio so that's why lot of them have issues on Verizon/sprint. If the Sprint S4 is any thing like the verizon one voice/CDMA wise then it should be way better than the S3 and even better than the ONE.
I know you said this wasn't about the RAZR, but I have had two of them and both of them had very bad signal issues holding 4G. The first one even had a hard time holding 3G or any thing for that matter. I got a S3 from Verizon for free in the end due to the issues just getting worse and worse along with Flash player not working on update 4.0.4 even though Flash player should work just fine on ICS.
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Yep, the S3 has bad 2g/3g but real good 4g. Weird.
ericerk said:
I had terrible S3 reception. The DNA has a solid Radio.
I'm hoping the S4 has a really good one too, or else, i'm sending mine back, the only thing that sucks with the dna is theres no root, and theres no way of s-offing it currently.
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The DNA is a sweet phone. I came VERY close to buying one, but the lack of SD card slot (and only 16G) and non-removable turned me off. Other than that a very sweet phone!
elucid said:
The DNA is a sweet phone. I came VERY close to buying one, but the lack of SD card slot (and only 16G) and non-removable turned me off. Other than that a very sweet phone!
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I was close to getting the DNA as well but Sense seems a little sluggish on it compared to wiz and the battery was a bit underpowered for my needs. I can be on the phone with a client or tech support for hours at a time. There are rumors the One will have a larger screen on Verizon which should cover my issues.
If anyone has the Verizon S3 and the Verizon S4 it might be helpful if you showed network db side by side in an area with no reception or bad reception on the S3.
I just received my S4 today, hoping like hell that the reception was better than my S3. I travel A LOT and know every area in my 200+mile drive, that I have reception issues in. I haven't been able to use my S3 in my house, since I moved here 2 months ago; I believe its a combination of the metal roof and ****y phone, so I upgraded one of my lines to the S4.
I am finally able to walk thru every part of my house and talk without any.issues. I used to have no service in my kitchen, now I have 2 bars with crystal clear reception. I'll know tomorrow if its fixed the issues in the other areas I have issues in, but for now I'm excited.
I did active my old droidX a week ago to see if I could use it in the areas I always have problms, and I could, which means its the ****ty S3.
One other thing to note is the battery life. I've read that its horrible etc: I charged my phone to 100% before activation and I'm still running with 51%, 6 hours later and I've uploaded everything and been playing with the new features the whole night. I did have a 43 minutes call in there as well, so the battery life seems extremely compatible with my S3. I also ordered 2 spares with a charger from Amazon and I'll see how they stack up with the factory battery over the next few days. I'm a phone abuser for work; 5000+ text, 3000+ minutes and probably 10,000+ emails a month, so it will be put thru the paces for certain. I'll update my overall impression with the reception tomorrow night.
Sorry, I know this was long but I wanted to tell how I'll be comparing and already have been, to show a major improvement so far.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
GS4 has been noticeably better then my GS3
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
jlangleyrn said:
I just received my S4 today, hoping like hell that the reception was better than my S3. I travel A LOT and know every area in my 200+mile drive, that I have reception issues in. I haven't been able to use my S3 in my house, since I moved here 2 months ago; I believe its a combination of the metal roof and ****y phone, so I upgraded one of my lines to the S4.
I am finally able to walk thru every part of my house and talk without any.issues. I used to have no service in my kitchen, now I have 2 bars with crystal clear reception. I'll know tomorrow if its fixed the issues in the other areas I have issues in, but for now I'm excited.
I did active my old droidX a week ago to see if I could use it in the areas I always have problms, and I could, which means its the ****ty S3.
One other thing to note is the battery life. I've read that its horrible etc: I charged my phone to 100% before activation and I'm still running with 51%, 6 hours later and I've uploaded everything and been playing with the new features the whole night. I did have a 43 minutes call in there as well, so the battery life seems extremely compatible with my S3. I also ordered 2 spares with a charger from Amazon and I'll see how they stack up with the factory battery over the next few days. I'm a phone abuser for work; 5000+ text, 3000+ minutes and probably 10,000+ emails a month, so it will be put thru the paces for certain. I'll update my overall impression with the reception tomorrow night.
Sorry, I know this was long but I wanted to tell how I'll be comparing and already have been, to show a major improvement so far.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
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THanks! This is exactly the sort of info that is helpful. Someone who has an S3 that can't work in some areas and then using an S4 in those same spots.
jlangleyrn said:
I just received my S4 today, hoping like hell that the reception was better than my S3. I travel A LOT and know every area in my 200+mile drive, that I have reception issues in. I haven't been able to use my S3 in my house, since I moved here 2 months ago; I believe its a combination of the metal roof and ****y phone, so I upgraded one of my lines to the S4.
I am finally able to walk thru every part of my house and talk without any.issues. I used to have no service in my kitchen, now I have 2 bars with crystal clear reception. I'll know tomorrow if its fixed the issues in the other areas I have issues in, but for now I'm excited.
I did active my old droidX a week ago to see if I could use it in the areas I always have problms, and I could, which means its the ****ty S3.
One other thing to note is the battery life. I've read that its horrible etc: I charged my phone to 100% before activation and I'm still running with 51%, 6 hours later and I've uploaded everything and been playing with the new features the whole night. I did have a 43 minutes call in there as well, so the battery life seems extremely compatible with my S3. I also ordered 2 spares with a charger from Amazon and I'll see how they stack up with the factory battery over the next few days. I'm a phone abuser for work; 5000+ text, 3000+ minutes and probably 10,000+ emails a month, so it will be put thru the paces for certain. I'll update my overall impression with the reception tomorrow night.
Sorry, I know this was long but I wanted to tell how I'll be comparing and already have been, to show a major improvement so far.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
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You Sir, Have Given Me hope.
You guys have all given me hope. When I read the op, I seriously thought I wrote it or my wife did. I too have problems using my s3 at work after switching from a Droid Razr to the s3. Everyone at work has an iPhone and have no issues with making calls.
Based on everyone's input, I'm almost willing to try an s4 out before I'm forced to switch to an iPhone 5 (those are the only options for work this time around).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
boe said:
If anyone has the Verizon S3 and the Verizon S4 it might be helpful if you showed network db side by side in an area with no reception or bad reception on the S3.
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Click to collapse
i get my s4 later today, ill get some screens of the network db side by side and post to see what my results are. Ill have 2 s3s and a s4 so I can see them all side by side. I have a few places on my way to my house the s3 wont pick up so we will see how the s4 does
boe said:
Anyone here who switched from a Verizon S3? I work in an office with people who have the Verizon RAZR and Verizon iphone with no problems but my Verizon S3 says no signal and dies by 3PM. I've switched it out and it still sucks for reception but I like most other things about it.
I typically use 2000-3000 minutes a month so reception for voice is EXTREMELY important to me.
I either will move to the HTC DNA or One if the S4 has the same reception issues I had with my Samsung Galaxy and S3 on Verizon. If your S3 never gave you any reception problems that is wonderful for you but PLEASE feel free to start another thread saying how great your reception is or for you to tell me I must have gotten 4 defective phones and SIMs. This thread is aimed at helping me decide which phone to get.
To be clear, this isn't a thread about iphone or DNA or RAZR, Sprint S3, Tmobile S3 or ATT S3 reception or how you never had reception issues on your S3. This survey is specifically targeted to find out if people who had reception issues with the S3 got any relief with the S4.
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Click to collapse
I'm with you 110% Boe. For those of us who have bad reception issues with the S3 it can be a tough road getting people who are happy with their S3, to understand exactly how irritating it is to have a phone that does a lot very well, but can NEVER be trusted as a telephone. I am really looking forward to seeing the responses in this thread. I'm on Verizon.
dweezle said:
I'm with you 110% Boe. For those of us who have bad reception issues with the S3 it can be a tough road getting people who are happy with their S3, to understand exactly how irritating it is to have a phone that does a lot very well, but can NEVER be trusted as a telephone. I am really looking forward to seeing the responses in this thread. I'm on Verizon.
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Yeah for some reason they insist on posting things like I never have problems with my S3 (perhaps they never use it as a phone) or you must have gotten a defective one (all 4 times I replaced my phones and sims at difference Verizon stores throughout the country - amazingly bad luck).
i have a galaxy nexus and can say without a doubt that the s4 radios are better by far. way better. i keep a 4g signal everywhere my galaxy nexus would drop to 3g or 1x, matter of fact i have yet to lose 4g anywhere but in an elevator.
gps locks are also way faster.
very impressive.
BzBz said:
i have a galaxy nexus and can say without a doubt that the s4 radios are better by far. way better. i keep a 4g signal everywhere my galaxy nexus would drop to 3g or 1x, matter of fact i have yet to lose 4g anywhere but in an elevator.
gps locks are also way faster.
very impressive.
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Click to collapse
I picked up the s4 this morning. Reception so far OK. I'm in the office where I frequently get no signal. For whatever reason today my S3 and S4 are getting signal. However, both are reading about 100db on average - no real difference between the two so i'm as yet, unconvinced this is an improvement over the S3. I'll be going to yet another place I frequently can't make calls on my S3 later today and we'll see how the S4 does. Clouds, lack of clouds etc can all impact reception so I'll need more testing to know anything regarding this phone's reception.'
Foxfi doesn't seem to work on the S4 but does on my S3 so I'll have to find another sharing program if I decide to keep this phone.