I have just purchased 4 HTC Hero phones for my family on the 3 Mobile network. I chose 3 Mobile mosrly for Skype.
I was not happy to find that the coverage here - East Yorkshire - is 1 bar about 5% of the time - no Internet, phone and text virtually non-existent. The service is not useable.
Are there any solutions out there for boosting the 3 Mobile signal to at least useable levels?
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I'm at my friends lake cabin, but the signal here is God awful. Nobody's phone can get a consistent signal, even on 1x. The nearest Verizon tower is a few miles away and it doesn't help that there are hills in the way. Text messages are the most reliable form of communication. But it keeps bouncing between 3g and 1x murdering my battery.
Its not huge deal since I'm doing stuff during the day, but browsing the web would be nice for killing downtime at night.
I would just like some tips on boosting a poor cellular signal. If it helps, we have a cellular booster attached to the TV antenna, and some tin foil.
I want to reach out to others here before I take my Moment back to Best Buy to exchange it for another Moment.
My signal strength fluctuates wildly just sitting in the same spot. With the Hero I got a constant 5 of 6 bars, but the Moment will vary between 0 and 5 of 6 bars. But it's more complicated than that.
It seems that whenever the EVDO data kicks in, it causes the signal strength to drop to 0 or 1 bar. Once the data is idle, the EVDO indicator turns grey and then changes from EV(^v) to EV(D). At that point the single strength will return to 3 or 4 bars.
At times, though not as consistently or often, the EVDO connection will fall back to 1xRTT and will switch between them every few minutes. This will occur even when the signal strength bars are in the 3 to 4 range.
So, the my questions are...
Does the signal strength apply to the data signal or just the voice signal?
Is there any legitimate reason for the signal strength to vary wildly like I've described, even when sitting in the same recliner where the Hero had a constant 5 bar connection and data service that never wavered?
Is anyone else having signal strength and/or data service issues?
Should I exchange the Moment for another Moment or will I likely experience the same issue?
I am not denying the Hero is a good phone, but I really am fed up of the lag and glitches I encounter in everyday use. Yes, before I am jumped on, I have taskkiller and yes I do make sure everything is closed that I am not using, but there's no denying the phone does lag a bit even when not multitasking. It's by no means bad lag, just irritating and I have put up with it for months and I am getting tired of it. Also, the camera is practically rendered useless seeing as I don't carry a tripod round with me because it seems that's what this phone needs to take a decent, shake free shot. And no it's not my lacking camera skills, I have an A-level in photography.
Another thing is the appalling signal strength due to the aerial being in the chin section of the phone, this angers me so damn much - who the HELL makes a phone you can't hold normally because you cannot get any signal when you do so, I literally have to hold the phone on the edges or the top just for the signal to come back, wtf!? This also makes phone calls damn difficult because I often accidentally put my hand over the precious aerial whilst talking. Lastly to round it off is the app market. Yeah there are a load of decent apps, but the marketplace itself looks like a 3rd party application, the organisation is rubbish! Whilst I like the whole open source scene, I believe there should be moderation to stop all the crap that force closes automatically getting onto the market.
I don't want to get attacked now as I do like my Hero, it's just these niggles have slowly worn me down, and I am pretty fed up of it now - it takes the pleasure of using the phone away. I still believe Android has a long way to go yet, it's just lucky it will be used on so many phones in the near-future. I can see it going in a Windows direction though, so much hardware and one OS = so much that can go wrong with compatibilities, hardware etc. Not really sure whether to keep the phone now or not.
Anyone know if you can replace the bars icon at the top with the actual dB reading?
View 4 Replies View RelatedBeen thinking about flashing a new radio for my hero but I'm just not sure what is a good signal or a bad signal. At my house my phone shows 2-3 bars and between 84-93db most of the time. Is that good? what should be a standard for evaluating signal strength? Sorry if this has already been done. In past threads i've seen posts re: decibals but none i've ever seen has stated what the norm/standard is or what a person should expect. As far as flashing a new radio I know its trial and error. I was just wanting to know what I should expect. TYVM in advance for your answers. BTW running Fresh 2.3.3 with his stock radio 1.04.01.09.21
View 14 Replies View RelatedGreetings all. Another "long time lurker, first time poster."I am wondering if anyone else is experience dropped calls and occasionally dodgy reception with their Hero. Specifically I am having problems dropping calls in my apartment, which seems to be at the edge of three different towers (I will connect to all three just by walking from room to room...don't know if that is typical).I am new to Sprint, so I don't quite have a feel for what I should expect from the network, but my fiancee--also on Sprint but with a different phone--doesn't seem to have the same issues.
View 3 Replies View RelatedCan you please help with a frustrating thing I have. I am loving the phone except for the Crap Battery and as for signal strength.When I am sending a text, because of the lack of signal at times, the text obviously fails to go, how can I try again please?I have been trying but just can't work out how to do it with this phone.Also where are Drafts located please?
View 2 Replies View RelatedI was having issues with constant dropped calls from my house, which is in an area according to the Sprint coverage map that should have excellent coverage. I went to my Sprint store, which is a repair center, and they told me to go to menu>settings>Wireless controls>Mobile network settings>Roaming, and switch from Automatic to Sprint only. I did this, and have not dropped a call yet. The tech told me that depending on exactly where you are and where the nearest Sprint tower is compared to the nearest say Verizon tower, the phone will continuously try to switch between the two towers for the best signal when set to Automatic, and that can cause dropped calls, static calls etc. Ever since I switched this setting I have not dropped one single call or gotten any static, even with 0-1 bars for signal strength. He told me only use Automatic if you are in an area where your phone has no service due to no nearby Sprint tower.
View 3 Replies View RelatedI'm writing an android application that collects cell signal strengths. I am having trouble getting the "current" cell signal strength, but I don't have any problem getting the "neighboring" cell signal strengths. To get the current cell signal strength, I created a PhoneStateListener and implemented the onSignalStrengthChanged callback. It works, but not very well. It seems like the signal strength hardly ever changes, and resolution jumps to only a few numbers. I would accept the answer that the resolution of the signal strength hardware is coarse, but when I use the TelephonyManager's getNeighboringCellInfo() method, it works much better. The signal strength readings from neighboring cells change frequently, and they have much better resolution.So, how can I get the current cell signal strength in the same way that I am getting the neighboring cell strengths? It seems odd to me that the functionality of the neighboring cells is better than the current cell. Am I missing something here?I would also like to directly call a method from the telephony manager to get current cell strength, as opposed to a listener, if possible. If anyone knows how, please let me know.
View 2 Replies View RelatedHow can i get the gps signal strength and the number of satellites. im using android 1.1 sdk.
View 3 Replies View RelatedI want to find the signal strength of GSM network. but not found any method in 1.5 sdk version is there is any alternative available to find the signal strength.
View 7 Replies View RelatedI'm guessing that the GPS hardware in most Android phones is the same or close. If it makes a difference I have the Moto Cliq XT.I'm going hiking tomorrow and will be using Google's My Tracks program. I've tried it twice... the first time I could not get a signal despite being out in desert with nothing to block the signal. Next time I was in the mountains and once I had a signal, it was rock solid. Worked like a charm. But I did not want to take a chance and held it in my hand the entire time. I'm wondering if anyone has tried it while the phone was in their pocket. Any issues with sat lock on? This would be much easier. I also can't imagine that you'd not be able to use GPS while the phone was in your pocket as it's not really possible to have it in your hand all of the time.
View 4 Replies View RelatedIn an attempt to conserve my battery I've been switching between GPRS & 3G. I only switch 3G on when I need it e.g. browsing the web. Sometimes though, depending where I am, the GPRS signal is better than the 3G so I end up switching back. Is there an app that will show 3G signal strength?
View 3 Replies View RelatedNot sure if this question has already been answered but will there ever be a fix to the signal strength issue?
View 1 Replies View RelatedI just updated to 2.2, but I noticed the Verizon network signal is weaker. I used to be able to use 3G connection at my desk at work, but after the update, I cannot receive any 3G signal at the same location. Does anyone have any idea?
View 12 Replies View RelatedI don't know if this is because of Sprint or the EVO but in my house I barely get 1 bar of signal and people can barely hear me on the other end of the call. This is my first Sprint phone so I don't know if it is the service or not. I came from ATT and never had these issues with my iPhone before. I am a little concerned about whether I exchange phone or am I going to just have to give up on Sprint.
View 8 Replies View RelatedI want to know the FM Radio signal strength in Android. For this I have to interact with hardware or not? Or is there any API which can directly give me the value of signal strength?
View 1 Replies View RelatedIs there a way to return the GPS signal Strength? Thank you for your input You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to android-developers@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-developers+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
View 3 Replies View RelatedCould any of you please comment on their Wi-Fi signal characteristics? I average "1 bar" unless I am right next to my wireless router, at which point it displays full strength connection Interestingly there is no significant difference when I run a bandwidth speed test (speedtest.net).
View 9 Replies View RelatedI believe there is a bug in the signal strength indication on the Fascinate, the one that shows the signal strength in -dBm. You can see the signal strength of the cell signal on the Menu, Settings, About, Status screen. Or you can place a widget on your Home screen. There are several widgets available, I'm using Mobile Signal Widget.I have a network extender, which basically creates a cell tower right in your home. With my Motorola Droid, I used to get signal strengths down to about -50 something and 60's in indicated signal strength. I can hold both of our Fascinates right next to the network extender's antenna and they will read no better than -86 dBm. So far I've seen signal strengths from -86 dBm to -106 dBm (terrible).I believe there is a bug in the software (Baseband) on the Fascinate. Previously, I thought the hardware (antenna/radio) wasn't very good, but now it may be software related. Has anyone seen a signal strength stronger than -86 dBm on the Fascinate?
View 25 Replies View RelatedJust wondering if I'm setting myself up for excessive battery drain on a DROID given my signal at the house. I'm testing this by looking at the status screen of my VZW blackberry My neighbor next door has a 3g ATT blackberry - he's getting -70 (solid) in my home.
View 6 Replies View RelatedThe wifi indicator sometimes only show 1bar. Meanwhile i sitting maybe 10 feet away from my modem/router. Speed test shows me getting 3200 kbps down and 1200 kbps up.With two bars I am getting 8700 down and 2400 up. I never get 3 bars. Any analysis of these numbers? Are they typical? Anything I can do to achieve 3 bars?
View 7 Replies View Relatedsince i had a big problem just now with messing around with things to try to get signal strength better. i was wonder. whats considered the best or great signal strength i dont mean in bars i mean in the numbers like in the settings area.
View 1 Replies View RelatedI have just got hold of a Tattoo on the Vodafone network and i am finding that at times the signal strength is very poor.
I am finding that in places i used my previous phone and had a good signal that the signal is dropping out or there is no signal at all.
This is very frustrating as whats the point in having a decent phone and not being able to use it?
Normally the Vodafone network signal is very good.
Just downloaded "Real Signal" from the market and am trying to understand what the numbers mean. Tried searching here, no luck. Can someone point me to a good thread or a resource to help me understand what the #s mean? At home I get 2 bars and the battery lasts and lasts, at work I get 0 to 1 bar and the phone hunts for a signal, making the back of the phone very warm to the touch, eating battery like there's no tomorrow. I have it on 'airplane mode' right now but that sort of defeats the purpose of having it, might as well turn it OFF.
View 5 Replies View RelatedI am trying to figure out how to get the current signal strength of the Android 2.1 device. So far I can only find access to the SignalStrength object if I am listening for a change. I don't want to have to wait for the strength to change in order to see what the strength is.
View 2 Replies View RelatedHow to measure GPS signal strength?
View 2 Replies View RelatedHow can we get network signal strength in android 1.6
View 1 Replies View RelatedI had a question come up here at the office about the accuracy of the GPS on my EVO. I loaded the "GPS Status" app and went outside and found that I am getting 3 Meter accuracy which is as good as my Magellan GPS that I use while hiking. My question is this, while using Google maps I believe that location can also be derived via signal strength triangulation from cell towers. If this is so has anyone seen a position accuracy that is derived from both the GPS and the Towers.
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