Hey guys and gals, just something I have been curious about for a while. Are there certain materials, or even design/shapes to a building that impede signals? I know people say Wimax sucks indoors, but I'm talking regular data connection (1x/3g).
I can stand outside my office and pull over 1mbps on speedtest. I walk in, go to my desk 20 ft from the door, I'm lucky to pull over 500kbps. Sometimes I even drop to Roaming and get sub 100kbps at peak times. I walk back outside, boom... signal will double in strength.
I just thought it was weird and wondered if there is any particular reason. As an FYI the building does have those greenish colored reflective glass windows. I also work for local government, so I dunno if they have different requirements for the building?
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
I work at a school and my signal is crap inside. The large amounts of metal and concrete used in commercial buildings kill signal similar to a Faraday cage. The effect happens in residential buildings, but isn't as noticeable.
This also kills battery since the phone has to work hard to keep signal.
... with Tapatalk 2
I got my work to install a booster because the signal is so bad inside. The signal out side is okay, but great inside. It's a two story structure and the antenna is upstairs. It should easily do 1500sqft but it does not penetrate between floors well due to thier construction.
Yeah, my building is all concrete and glass mostly. My phone cannot last long and I have to keep a charger at work. With moderate use I'm happy to last until lunch. Maybe one day I'll get a corner office with windows. Lol that might boost my signal!
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
my signal and speeds are **** inside and outside.... effin sprint
raptoro07 said:
I got my work to install a booster because the signal is so bad inside. The signal out side is okay, but great inside. It's a two story structure and the antenna is upstairs. It should easily do 1500sqft but it does not penetrate between floors well due to thier construction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you get the booster from?
You lose about 10-15 feet of coverage for every wall the signal has to pass through to get to you.
oohaylima said:
Where did you get the booster from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://powerfulsignal.com/
about $1000-1200 or so.
Related
Just got the 3d and noticed a few things, its really warm at around the camera on back, sprint network is trash can't even watch a YouTube video smoothly thru always stops to load, coming from tmobile nexus one then nexus s just wondering anyway to improve the data speeds? Beside that screen is beautiful phone seems very smooth as it should be but I really wish to step me data speed up...
*Any way to protect the camera lens Im worried about when I put the phone on a table...
How would I go about using tethering?
Get a gel case off Amazon or eBay for +/- $3 if your worried about the cameras , also the screen could crack if you dropped it. Better safe than sorry.
Proxy hack
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1140870
to improve your data speeds, you'll need to call sprint and ask for your MSL.
For some reason on the evo 3d, the youtube app is **** (wifi, 3g, 4g) and nothing loads very fast. So I use the browser and go to youtube. It loads instantly.
Oh and just root and install a rom that allows you to tether (Read as:ALL roms here)
3G is very very bad... I can't do anything on 3G. Thankfully the 4G in my area is great.
fmedina2 said:
3G is very very bad... I can't do anything on 3G. Thankfully the 4G in my area is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a profile reset.I just did a speed test over 3g right now and got 1300kpbs.... I get anywhere from 1-1.8 mbps depending on where i am in Orland Park.
I also have lots of problems with the 3G, and it seems to be unique to the Evo 3D. It sorta just goes out sometimes.
" *Any way to protect the camera lens Im worried about when I put the phone on a table..."
I use the case from tpu-cases.com as it protects the camera (see pic below). FYI it also fits in the HTC Car Dock with the insert removed so for me, it works and looks great.
Wow thanks guys for all the responses really appreciate it, any one notice that if you hold the phone with your right hand the service immediately goes down to like 2 bars is that were the antenna is?, an nice case up there bro how much bulk does it add also have a pic of it on the phone if its not to much trouble
The top half of the phone contains all of the electronics while the bottom half is pretty much all battery. With how many antennas this phone has it is easy to block them, but most of the time just sliding your hand down a bit is enough to get a full signal back. 4G on the other hand... it's always temperamental unless you are lucky enough to live in an area that is completely saturated with it.
+1 for the TPU case too, I got one to hold me over until the kick stand case came out but I'll probably end up sticking with it now. If you check in the Accessories section there should be a thread in there with a bunch of info about them
I can't even put my right hand near the in a heartbeat lessens the signal bars to 2 smh anything u can do?
(getting frustrating really fast smh)
Cool thanks^^, it may be just my phone but i am tethering as we speak when i send a message the 3g logo turns invisible an I lose allvmy bars for just a sec is thus normal?
It may be dropping down to 1x to send it, I don't know why it would need to but if it treats it like a call then it has to drop 3G for a split second so it can connect.
carlost24 said:
I can't even put my right hand near the in a heartbeat lessens the signal bars to 2 smh anything u can do?
(getting frustrating really fast smh)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just means your in a lower signal area... It happens to all phones.
Sent from my HTC Evo 3D.
clules94 said:
Do a profile reset.I just did a speed test over 3g right now and got 1300kpbs.... I get anywhere from 1-1.8 mbps depending on where i am in Orland Park.
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Click to collapse
He's in Orlando, FL. Not Orland Park, IL.
I know where he's coming from. I'm Orlando as well, and 3G is pretty ****ty. I've got full bars and only got .85Mbps down and .39 up. But, my Hero was even worse, so I'm not complaining.
eXplicit815 said:
He's in Orlando, FL. Not Orland Park, IL.
I know where he's coming from. I'm Orlando as well, and 3G is pretty ****ty. I've got full bars and only got .85Mbps down and .39 up. But, my Hero was even worse, so I'm not complaining.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You think that's ****ty? I only get .3 Mbps... now that's ****ty.
spencer88 said:
You think that's ****ty? I only get .3 Mbps... now that's ****ty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get .3 if I'm lucky. Luckily, 4G is pretty good around here.
Here's a pic of the back of the camera area with the tpu-cases. There's plenty of height above the cameras so that when you lay it flat on a table that it will be protected. IMO, it is as thin as your going to get and it will hold up for everyday use. It was never intended for the high impact stuff so obviously you have to go with the otterbox/Seidio Convert-type cases for drops and abuse.
BTW, I'm up on a hillside (L.A. area) notorious for bad reception but calling and 3G works great, when 4G is available it's incredibly fast on my EVO 3D. As you probably know, it's like that with all carriers, cell service will work better than others depending on where you are. If it's bad maybe you should consider asking for a Airwave/Airvana.
Hope this helps.
carlost24 said:
Just got the 3d and noticed a few things, its really warm at around the camera on back, sprint network is trash can't even watch a YouTube video smoothly thru always stops to load, coming from tmobile nexus one then nexus s just wondering anyway to improve the data speeds? Beside that screen is beautiful phone seems very smooth as it should be but I really wish to step me data speed up...
*Any way to protect the camera lens Im worried about when I put the phone on a table...
How would I go about using tethering?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have 30 days to evaluate the service. After 30 days don't complain.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Installing juice defender has really saved battery life and lessened heat around the camera. At least for me
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
If there really was a serious reception issue, like excessive dropped calls and such, Id expect HTC would address the problem and either push out an update or offer to repair the phone, not just deny or say "your holding it wrong" like another company would.
I'm currently on 1.11.651.3 a message popped up saying that I should upgrade to 1.13.651.3 but im hesitant to do so as I dont know how that would affect my signal since I've heard some people say that upgrading their software messed up their signal, any insight on this?
I am sure most people on here would have noticed that the WiFi signal on the htc amaze is drastically affected by the use of a phone case...
This was a dreaded problem for me up until now...I found a way to boost my WiFi signal without sacrificing protection....
All I did was cut a little piece of aluminium foil and attach it to WiFi antenna located on the inner back panel of the phone.....The antenna is located next to the camera lens....
Once the foil is attached to the antenna, replace the back cover and you should have improved WiFi signal that instant.....Fill free to put on any phone case while surfing the internet at blazing fast speeds using WiFi....
Questions are welcomed if the procedure is not fully understood..
I noticed this when I put a d3o dual case on mine.. can u post pics of what you did?
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using xda premium.. haha the amaze is at HTC getting a new screen..
I have attached a pic of the foil and its location on the back panel of the phone...
Wifi Signal and Cases
Anyone else try this?
Now that sucks, I bought this phone because of the luxurious look and feel (high class build quality). This is like putting rabbit ears on my 65 inch plasma (Ghetto). Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in (into the projects lol).
Don't forget that no one else knows the foil is there except you... A rabbits ear on a 65inches tv can't be hidden..
darll said:
Don't forget that no one else knows the foil is there except you... A rabbits ear on a 65inches tv can't be hidden..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha so true!
that is pretty ghetto but its hidden so if it works i guess you could consider it hardware hacking
Yeah mine is about 5mbs difference
Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G using xda premium
I have the d30 case and I never had a problem with wifi signal... have you ever thought that it was your internet provider or maybe your router?
iGoOsE76 said:
I have the d30 case and I never had a problem with wifi signal... have you ever thought that it was your internet provider or maybe your router?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps your router is not far from your phone that why... If there are few walls between your phone and router you will notice the problem..
This has nothing to do with internet provider or router..
Try covering the top of your phone when the d30 case is removed and see if your wifi signal drops... If it dosen't then you are too close to your router to notice the problem...
All the fol does is boost your wifi signal .. I have been using it for while and I have consistently got full wifi signal even when there are few walls between my device and the router,,,
Makes a difference, thank you
Bluetooth
I've also notice the same problem with the bluetooth radio. With a gummy cover on (silcone I believe) my moto bluetooth headset SD9-HD doesn't work worth a F*&k but without the cover it's all good.
Which is the BT antenne?
How about cell signal???
This trick reminded me of the old product called cell phone signal booster sticker. Here's a YouTube video http://youtu.be/Elgx7lp7YMc if you are not sure what I'm talking about.
If we can boost cell signal using your method, it would save battery as well (without spending too much money on this sticker). Any thought, guys?
Might be a contact issue, not a "this piece of aluminum foil is a better antenna." I'd posit that the two gold colored contacts are not making a solid electrical connection to the rear cover's antenna contacts and that the aluminum is helping by acting as a shim. But I could be wrong. For those of you with Wi-Fi issues, ever so carefully bend the little gold colored metal contacts on your phone upward to ensure solid contact with the rear of the case.
verkion
verkion said:
Might be a contact issue, not a "this piece of aluminum foil is a better antenna." I'd posit that the two gold colored contacts are not making a solid electrical connection to the rear cover's antenna contacts and that the aluminum is helping by acting as a shim. But I could be wrong. For those of you with Wi-Fi issues, ever so carefully bend the little gold colored metal contacts on your phone upward to ensure solid contact with the rear of the case.
verkion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the foil also helps the wifi signal retain its strength... Try covering the back of your phone using your hand and you will see that you loose all wireless signal unless you are close to the router..
Try the same procedure with the foil on and you will see that the wireless signal remains strong regardless of position
Wow, this little piece of aluminum actually works. However, it doesn't work 100% for me. My WiFi signal strength fluctuates quite a bit. But at least I can actually stay connected to my WiFi now.
Thanks. This is a great tip
Edit: this also fixed the problem my amaze had when connecting to my router at work. It would always say connected but data would never be exchanged.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using XDA App
I thought you were punking us. I was hesitant to even try, because I just KNEW this was a joke. But... it really does work!
I have had nothing buy buyers remorse since buying two of these Amaze phones (full retail price at a TMO store) - on a prepaid plan. They give you about 3 nanoseconds to return - and even then charge a $50/phone restocking fee.
Service is very poor in my home - which I knew before I bought. But, I assumed the Wifi calling would circumvent that problem. I was so disappointed with the jitter, stutter, lost packets, and overall piss-poor wifi call quality, that I upgraded my router, and installed a corporate-rated access point. There was some improvement, but nothing that rivaled a good cell call.
Best DL speeds were around 8-9mbps, and very erratic. With the foil, consistently 20mbps! I am completely dumbfounded.
If such poor wifi performance could be remedied by such a simple fix, why on earth does HTC not do this from the get go? It just doesn't make sense.
So, what have you guys done to keep the foil from shifting, or falling out when changing the battery?
OP, I luv you...
hooutoo said:
I've also notice the same problem with the bluetooth radio. With a gummy cover on (silcone I believe) my moto bluetooth headset SD9-HD doesn't work worth a F*&k but without the cover it's all good.
Which is the BT antenne?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my issue too. Maybe it'll work if we know which antenna it is.
Hello everyone. Something that came to my attention today that I wanted to share with everyone was the issue of slow network speeds, including GPS. Since the antenna are attached to the back cover if the camera, if removed and not reattached properly, speeds will take a hit. Make sure the contact points are clean, and also make sure the cover is set properly in place. The slightest shift in the cover creates a bad connection. If this has already been addressed then great, otherwise, just something to consider if your speeds take a hit.
Thanks!
~Siv
Sent from my EVO using XDA
I'm guessing the antennas on the cover are worthless. My signal is the same with the cover removed a with it on.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Is that an antenna or the NFC chip inside the black cover?
yamaford said:
I'm guessing the antennas on the cover are worthless. My signal is the same with the cover removed a with it on.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pull up the debug screen and go to the EVdo data screen and pull the cover off. Watch the signal number.
Sent from my C64 w/Epyx FastLoad cartridge
The following link applies to the One X, but we have the same type of prong connectors. It's possible we have the same type of issue basically:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688538
Ok I made a thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1710905
I'm pretty sure that's the NFC antenna only not anything for data.
Edit nevermind I was wrong.
Looks to me like all of the antennas are in the plastic back cover. I was playing with it today and could make my signal strength on 3g vary by over 12 db just by squeezing and tapping on the plastic cover. Not an optimum design, in my opinion.
wfrandy said:
Looks to me like all of the antennas are in the plastic back cover. I was playing with it today and could make my signal strength on 3g vary by over 12 db just by squeezing and tapping on the plastic cover. Not an optimum design, in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if it would be worthwhile to put drops of solder on contact points (there are something like four-five; you can clearly see them as scratch marks on copper). Maybe people with an unusually bad reception can fix it that way.
nabbed said:
I wonder if it would be worthwhile to put drops of solder on contact points (there are something like four-five; you can clearly see them as scratch marks on copper). Maybe people with an unusually bad reception can fix it that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They look to be gold plated contact points, so I suspect putting solder on them would actually worsen the problem.
for some reason i get better signal than my old evo.
I think you are on to something! I removed and reattached the back cover and all signal issues disappeared including the wifi drops.
Thanks!
Sent from my EVO LTE using XDA
rooterman said:
for some reason i get better signal than my old evo.
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Click to collapse
okay guys i have to say it. I have loved Sprint for years. Ever since my LG Rumor!!
But the **** i got going on now is ridiculous. My signal is horrible. complete garbage. I activated my og EVO the other day and its signals were PERFECT at home and at work. Today I re activated my EVO LTE and it just looses 3G connection and I can't send texts half the time.
I got my phone replaced and it still ****.. (pardon my language)
I love Sprint and their business model and what they are doing. I LOVE my HTC EVO LTE but I absolutely can't stand the service!
ideas?
We were recently moved to a lower part of the building, reception stinks my battery is as hot as if it was on fire. Company in looking into repeaters but until then, any thoughts on how to improve reception while at work?
Do those ad-on extenders do anything?
Appreciate your help
I haven't personally used the extenders but I know what your going thru I'm a cook and all the stainless steel hoods and make line and heating lamps, take my data down to 1x sometimes, and I rarely have a bar of signal at work..
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Anyone uses aluminum frame ? I found some on ebay, they are so cheap ! Some look great. I bought one for 2 dollars just to try. If anyone else uses them and found a good product, please recommend here
aluminium frame = at least -2 bars reception. If you want to sacrifice functionality for beauty, then go for it.
I didn't know that ..
I only have 3 bars at home lol I'd have 1! If I use it lol
jigsawcrank said:
aluminium frame = at least -2 bars reception. If you want to sacrifice functionality for beauty, then go for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no proof in that, it does reduce reception, but this will depend on the location and where the transmitter tower is located, where I live even with any aluminum bumper or case, I get full bar status.
kms108 said:
There is no proof in that, it does reduce reception, but this will depend on the location and where the transmitter tower is located, where I live even with any aluminum bumper or case, I get full bar status.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably on the low-range frequency, then. (850/900). That range is easily capable of penentrating reinforced concrete, aluminium isn't an issue.
Anything above that will degrade very quickly, down to the point where it will kill the 2100 frequency reception (used for 4G in most countries, 3G is usually near 1800.) even if you stand next to the tower.
If anyone thinks aluminium doesn't affect signal strength, go research Asus' blunder with the TF200. They had to replace all the casings with a plastic bar just to get WiFi to function.
And before anyone suggests just sticking to low frequencies, no. Higher the frequency, higher the data transfer speed, but also the weaker the signal.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
ShadowLea said:
You're probably on the low-range frequency, then. (850/900). That range is easily capable of penentrating reinforced concrete, aluminium isn't an issue.
Anything above that will degrade very quickly, down to the point where it will kill the 2100 frequency reception (used for 4G in most countries, 3G is usually near 1800.) even if you stand next to the tower.
If anyone thinks aluminium doesn't affect signal strength, go research Asus' blunder with the TF200. They had to replace all the casings with a plastic bar just to get WiFi to function.
And before anyone suggests just sticking to low frequencies, no. Higher the frequency, higher the data transfer speed, but also the weaker the signal.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With 3G we have 900 and 2100, 4G it's 1800 and 2600.
Since I'm not using 4G then it's. 900 and 2100, I'm using 3 different networks and only one of them supports the 900 and 2100 frequencies, the other two are 2100 only.
Hope this can determine your results.
I'm glad I only bought a cheap one to try out. If it's doesn't work it's only 2 bucks
kms108 said:
With 3G we have 900 and 2100, 4G it's 1800 and 2600.
Since I'm not using 4G then it's. 900 and 2100, I'm using 3 different networks and only one of them supports the 900 and 2100 frequencies, the other two are 2100 only.
Hope this can determine your results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aluminium affects always the signal, even if its isolated!
jigsawcrank said:
aluminium affects always the signal, even if its isolated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As i did quote your post, aluminum does reduce reception, but the reception will vary with different situation.
kms108 said:
As i did quote your post, aluminum does reduce reception, but the reception will vary with different situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just sayin'
actually, i am going to buy this aluminum frame and also aluminum cover to replay the back cover so if like any1 said, will reduce the signal strength if using them, then i will not have any signal at home. Because rightnow, when using nothing, the signal at my home so unstable, sometime it 1, some time it full 4. Same**** with another phone, like lg g2, nexus 4, note 3. hahaha. I will buy it and let you guy know.
Yeah let us know ! I dropped my note 3 a couple of times. The frame isn't in the best shape, I don't wanna look at the damaged frame and a frame replacement is hard so I do hope to find a good frame !
ShadowLea said:
You're probably on the low-range frequency, then. (850/900). That range is easily capable of penentrating reinforced concrete, aluminium isn't an issue.
Anything above that will degrade very quickly, down to the point where it will kill the 2100 frequency reception (used for 4G in most countries, 3G is usually near 1800.) even if you stand next to the tower.
If anyone thinks aluminium doesn't affect signal strength, go research Asus' blunder with the TF200. They had to replace all the casings with a plastic bar just to get WiFi to function.
And before anyone suggests just sticking to low frequencies, no. Higher the frequency, higher the data transfer speed, but also the weaker the signal.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to switch to frequencies ? And what kind of metal is HTC one M8 ?
optimusv45 said:
How to switch to frequencies ? And what kind of metal is HTC one M8 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't. The frequency is determined by the hardware of the transmitter in the signal towers.
As for the M8, it's not 100% metal, but as to which one specific, I do not know.
i have one . the slip on type not the one that screws together at the corner.
My main problem is gps is affected with the case off i get between 15-20 feet accuracy. with the bumper on its like 90-190;(
I got my 2 dollar aluminum frame. It's great, no noticeable signal drop. I asked a seller on ebay, they told me it's not real aluminum
I got one and only thing was GPS had dropped so bad! so in the bin it went
jowett69 said:
I got one and only thing was GPS had dropped so bad! so in the bin it went
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried gps! Will sometime today !
I tried an aluminum bumper as well and it absolutely killed my GPS. It sucks because it looks so nice...