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...
Related
I recently moved into an area with poor AT&T coverage even though their coverage map shows that I'm in "Best" coverage. Almost all of my calls break up and many drop unless I'm outside near a major road, which is obviously inconvenient. Has anyone has success using an external antenna though the port on the back of the phone near the camera lens? I would prefer it to be a solid antenna not a flexible one that hangs down off the phone and of course the smaller the better.
As a side note, I attempted to use BandSwitcher and Edge with 2 bars is the best signal I get in my house and still is a very poor connection. I do not want to purchase an expensive hard wired signal amp and antenna just for home use.
Thanks in advance,
Justin
jbear7 said:
I recently moved into an area with poor AT&T coverage even though their coverage map shows that I'm in "Best" coverage. Almost all of my calls break up and many drop unless I'm outside near a major road, which is obviously inconvenient. Has anyone has success using an external antenna though the port on the back of the phone near the camera lens? I would prefer it to be a solid antenna not a flexible one that hangs down off the phone and of course the smaller the better.
As a side note, I attempted to use BandSwitcher and Edge with 2 bars is the best signal I get in my house and still is a very poor connection. I do not want to purchase an expensive hard wired signal amp and antenna just for home use.
Thanks in advance,
Justin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an FYI, I bought a RadioShack universal antenna adapter, and it killed my cell phone. PDA still works, but I get no reception at all now. oing to have to send it in for repairs.
i.e. be carefull with external antennas
I did the same thing, bought the Radio Shack antenna, plugged it into my 8525, the phone lost all reception and I had to replace it.
You've been warned!
Hermes external antenna
Search eBay for the ARC Freedom antenna (also need adapter). I bought one and went from 1-2 bars & dropping calls to 3-4 bars and no more dropped calls. I'm not endorsing this product, its just the only one I've come across and so far it works pretty good.
Dr Jay
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.
Click to expand...
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?
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.
From http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=44929981#post44929981
plaster said:
What lg could have done, was put an aluminum heatsink that had a thin fin that spread to all four sides of the phone that would dissipate the heat from the center. Then again, I haven't ripped my phone apart. It may have that already.
Sent from my Optimus G using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[r.]GimP said:
I've ripped it apart a few times, no fin, but there is enough clearance to do so, I might give that a shot just because.
Not sure of the potential interference to cell signal though..
Good idea regardless, even aluminum foil at that close proximity with maybe thermal compound or a pad would do more than nothing, in theory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(edit - all that tape covers areas i didn't want to short, antenna connections mostly. )
View attachment 2220069
So I actually went for it. This is 8 layers of aluminum foil stacked, by folding on of the precut sheets on top of itself until it almost exactly matched the internal dimensions of the LGOG.
This picture is slightly dated, The red+blue borderd box indicates more material I had removed and is no longer present in the rear cover of the phone. The WiFi antenna is located in the backplate for our phone, I thought it wouldn't be affected by the foil but there were two seperate issues.
1.) The contacts themselves didn't always make contact, effectively leaving no antenna.
2.) wireless signal sucked
Also, directly under that area on the opposide side of our mainboard is the LTE antenna. Again *should* is the key work that in theory it would run with no issues, able to radiate out the front of the device.
1.) LTE signal was dramatically impacted. Disabling LTE and using 4g showed fantastic signal. So if you don't use LTE or have LTE in your area this foil can stay, maybe increase the cutout around the contacts so WIFI antenna reattaches correctly.
Also note the cutout area on the bottom. That is our main antenna block attached to the speaker.
1.) Every part of the antenna areas has to be taped to try and use this area.
2.) Foil by itself with no thermal interface material is very unlikely to be sponging or collecting any heat at this relative distance from the hotspots anyway.
3.) Overall signal sucked, not worth it.
Take note of the two metal shims on the top and right of the battery. There is an almost entirely metal "basket" that houses every bit of our phone on the front side.
1.) This is in place to transfer some of the heat that the foil picks up from the transceiver module (metallic thing that is NOT taped over above the top right corner of the battery)
2.) This yeilds a very nice increase in thermal "density" overall. It is a much increased area over which has to heat to reach thermal equilibrium.
In the end I've been running this for about a week now. Placebo effect over and done, testing here and there and I can report.
It makes a dramatic impact on overall temperature regulation of the phone. It does not completely eliminate the hotspot on the back but it does spread it very effectively.
The phone can still reach "thermal saturation" as it were, and will given enough time. There is a weird tradeoff now involved, and I'd have to go back and test this separate to draw any definite conclusions, thusly;
1. You now have more material that can eventually heat up to the point where the phone throttles, this naturally takes much longer to occur (which is good)
however, in theory, this added material still has to find a way to radiate its heat, which might take LONGER to do so.
However, however: ..You also have a greatly increased the surface area that this material can dissipate heat over, so it could take LESS time.
Needs to be tested, but subjectively I can say it is better overall.
Most dramatic increases I get for my personal use case that made this worth it,
repeated restarts from multiple flashes and validating startup tweaks, voltage settings, governer advanced settings properly all taking and setting, etc. Much cooler overall, verified by constantly checking CPU and Battery temps during and after.
Running the phone on LTE, with bluetooth and GPS on, while actively navigating with maps, while actively streaming audio to my car stereo via bluetooth, while hooked up to car charger.
Does NOT hit the point where the screen is impossibly dim and refuses to charge because of how hot the phone gets doing this.
If you've used your LGOG as navigation while docked to a stand on your dash you know exactly how hot this phone can get. It also cools itself insanely faster after this.
Ultimate tradeoff: I have slightly less signal for LTE overall, and it's very slight. I could continue customizing my cutout, and will eventually, but this is working very well for now. It's almost much cleaner than the picture indicates, as once I finalized what worked I trimmed all the edges and cutouts around the backplate fasteners, etc.
Good luck and have fun if you're feeling adventurous.
Much cooler overall, verified by constantly checking CPU and Battery temps during and after.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you share a few sample temps for comparison?
2.) Foil by itself with no thermal interface material is very unlikely to be sponging or collecting any heat at this relative distance from the hotspots anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you end up using thermal compound, and if so, where?
Ultimate tradeoff: I have slightly less signal for LTE overall, and it's very slight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you share a decibel amount of what you're used to getting, with regards to LTE signal, and what you are getting after the mod?
It's almost much cleaner than the picture indicates, as once I finalized what worked I trimmed all the edges and cutouts around the backplate fasteners, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind sharing an updated picture?
Overall, this is awesome! Great idea and I would definitely love to give this a shot myself.
ousoonerchase said:
Could you share a few sample temps for comparison?
Did you end up using thermal compound, and if so, where?
Could you share a decibel amount of what you're used to getting, with regards to LTE signal, and what you are getting after the mod?
Would you mind sharing an updated picture?
Overall, this is awesome! Great idea and I would definitely love to give this a shot myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes to all these things, except thermal compount, not yet anyway. I wouldn't mind updating and trying to do with comparisons, but in my ADHD world right now I'm trying to get ubuntu booting under chroot on my phone to see if I can compile source, for the hell of it.
dont feel like opening my phone up at this exact moment but I will, eventually.
lol, awesome. I'm too poor to take my phone apart, but if it needs a battery replacement before 2015, I'll definitely try this out. If you could machine a solid piece of aluminum, or even better, copper, it would work even better. :good:
plaster said:
lol, awesome. I'm too poor to take my phone apart, but if it needs a battery replacement before 2015, I'll definitely try this out. If you could machine a solid piece of aluminum, or even better, copper, it would work even better. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've humored the idea of taking the much cleaned up foil template i made out, tracing it on paper, and getting a copper shim machined to the same size and similar thickness, believe you me
Wish I had the balls to do this
Sent from my Optimus G using XDA Premium HD app
Definitely gonna do this if i need to swap the battery anytime soon.
I remember you mentioning his on the BeanStalk thread. Didn't think you'd make a post. Well as an update for you, I go my dad to re-solder the battery connector, so it's like new i'm thinking i'll give this a try. I keep LTE off due to battery drain anyway.
You must live with spotty lte service. I get plenty of battery on lte with excellent signal strength. Your drain likely stems from frequently switching between lte and hspa
Sent from my Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
,
Tesy
Qq
Sent from my LG-E970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app