Poor Radio - S/W or H/W? - Touch Diamond, MDA Compact IV General

I'm seriously considering returning my Diamond, due to poor radio reception. In areas where my old Kaiser could get a signal (1 bar) to Diamond loses signal completely.
Is this software or hardware related ? Will new radio versions improve the Diamond in this respect? I'm on T-Mobile in the UK, and was wondering if using their radio (once they release the Diamond) will improve reception for me?
Thanks all!

I'm also in the same county as you and have just switched to t-mobile - I find the reception really poor. So I've gone back to my Orange SIM. which works well.

I get the same thing.
On my touch dual i comfortably have a H with 2 bars of reception.
On my diamond i have a H with about 1 bar, then a G with 2 bars then the letter goes completely and a cross appears and the signals still there. And this just keeps on happening.
Strange as its ok at work and its ok most other areas just a worse reception at home.
Ive found that turning the HSDPA off means that i get the 3G symbol up now instead of the H but again in certain areas of my house, the above happens with that, but i have found that its better like this, so im going to stick with this setup until a new radio version appears.
(its a shame HTC dont release the Roms so we can update our phones as and when they are tested - thank god for XDA Devs!)

Thanks for your input.
Going back to my original question, will future radio versions improve reception (e.g. using the radio from a T-mobile branded Diamond), or is this a fundemental hardware issue?
Cheers.

I really hope that future radio versions improve reception but i am pretty sure it is a hardware issue because of the size of the diamond. Perhaps they had to reduce the size of the integrated antena of the radio to fit into it.
For the same reason, the gps reception signal is really weaker than the one on the kaiser.
We can't have all : really small unit and stronger signal

saquib said:
Thanks for your input.
Going back to my original question, will future radio versions improve reception (e.g. using the radio from a T-mobile branded Diamond), or is this a fundamental hardware issue?
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would hope so, I updated from ROM 1.34 (which had a bad GPS signal) to 1.37 (which the GPS signal was greatly improved).
I would of thought another ROM would be out in a few weeks when the UK Operators sell them officially

One thing ive noticed with my UK Diamond is that before i make a call...i have the H symbol but when im making a call or receiving a call it will go G which means GPRS. Not that it affects the quality of the signal as its spot on really.
Just noticed it as my nokia n95 8gb always had the 3g symbol on the screen...never noticed it flit between 3g to GPRS...when i was browsing the internet then it would go to 3.5G.
Any ideas as to why that happens??. It will only flit between HSDPA and GPRS...which i find strange because im using a 3G sim card and would have thought if anything it would go to 3G symbol...only way i can get the 3G symbol is by forcing the phone not to use auto settings in the network settings page.

kapteg92 said:
I really hope that future radio versions improve reception but i am pretty sure it is a hardware issue because of the size of the diamond. Perhaps they had to reduce the size of the integrated antena of the radio to fit into it.
For the same reason, the gps reception signal is really weaker than the one on the kaiser.
We can't have all : really small unit and stronger signal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Small unit? It LOOKS small, but it has the same size as the touch cruise if i compare them.

Yzord said:
Small unit? It LOOKS small, but it has the same size as the touch cruise if i compare them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uh, no.
Diamond = 102x51x11.5mm = 59,823 mm^3
Touch Cruise = 110x58x15.5mm = 98,890 mm^3
Diamond is almost 40% smaller by volume

jehlinger said:
uh, no.
Diamond = 102x51x11.5mm = 59,823 mm^3
Touch Cruise = 110x58x15.5mm = 98,890 mm^3
Diamond is almost 40% smaller by volume
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tell him

Related

Signal Strength issues-Kaiser

Here is an interesting observation. I have noticed the signal strength (HTC Kaiser branded, with the ATT carrier), for the most part has been averaging 2 to 3 bars. While at a local ATT store, I noticed the Tilt, 2 display models, were both displaying 4 bars, while mine, (HTC) branded only gave 2 bars. Now add another customer that also had a branded HTC Kaiser, his displayed the same as mine. Yet both ATT Tilts were (4) bars. The rep. indicted that all the ATT Tilts have been tweaked!. I called HTC and they had no clue. Has anyone been aware of this difference?
more bars in more places...even if it's only imaginary.
is the radio software reporting as the same?
Kaiser signal strength seems OK
Signal strength can also depend on what cell your phone is locked onto at the time. If the nearest cell is busy, your phone could be switched to a less busy nearby cell and thereby show less bars. My own observations are that the Kaiser (I have HTC TyTN II) is every bit as good as my previous Dopod 810 (Trinity) and my friends dedicated LG phone. Signal strength is not an issue for me and I spend every weekend in a very marginal area.
Actually I have noticed the same. On my unbranded HTC Tytn II I also only get 2 bars when the band is set to Auto under phone settings. Selecting network type GSM thus forcing off 3G I can get back to 4 bars so maybe the radio rom for the At&T is better?
On my Tilt I've gone back and forth between the ATT and HTC ROMs and I do get about one bar better on the ATT ROM average.
Well thank you all for the posts. I tried switching the system from auto to GSM, and there you go......full 4 bars. Maybe the Auto 3G limits the signal strength.
Hi
Well thank you all for the posts. I tried switching the system from auto to GSM, and there you go......full 4 bars. Maybe the Auto 3G limits the signal strength.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G doesn't have as good as coverage as GSM, and may even be coming from a different mast to your GSM signal. 3G normally uses higher frequencies that will not penetrate so far into buildings and is transmitted at a lower power.
It is quite common that you will have a lower 3G signal than you would on GSM.
Regards
Phil
Signal Strength.
Hi Thanks for all the posts. I went to settings and phone and cannot see where to change the auto to gsm. I have the new ATT tilt. Help I really need a better signal or I will have to take my wonderful new toy back
dot
Whether you have one or five bars is unimportant. What's important:
Are your calls getting to you or going out with acceptable consistency?
Are you getting the data connection and speeds you desire?
Are able to get the messages you want?
Are you getting the battery life you're looking for?
Answer those questions and then decide whether or not to take the phone back. If it's "yes" to all of the above, then you really don't care if it shows 1/2 a bar - it's meeting the needs you've got.
Signal Strength.
Most everything is great except: When I place or receive a call, most of the time we cannot communicate. Everything cuts out. It is frustrating for me and whomever I am speaking with. I would love to change the settings to GSM only, but I don't seem to have that option on my att tilt 8925.
Signal Strength Fixed AT&T Tilt
Signal Strength Fixed AT&T Tilt
http://www.commmgrpro.com/jsp/main_frame.jsf
switch to Bandswitch tab from CommMgrPRO
download bandswitch zip file unzip should give you cab file.
install it in your TILT, run the program, change AUTO TO GSM
i used to have 2 bars NOW I HAVE 4 FULL BARS
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
jimzeeem said:
Signal Strength Fixed AT&T Tilt
http://www.commmgrpro.com/jsp/main_frame.jsf
switch to Bandswitch tab from CommMgrPRO
download bandswitch zip file unzip should give you cab file.
install it in your TILT, run the program, change AUTO TO GSM
i used to have 2 bars NOW I HAVE 4 FULL BARS
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi:
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but does this also disable 3G/hsdpa?
Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too
fredm said:
Here is an interesting observation. I have noticed the signal strength (HTC Kaiser branded, with the ATT carrier), for the most part has been averaging 2 to 3 bars. While at a local ATT store, I noticed the Tilt, 2 display models, were both displaying 4 bars, while mine, (HTC) branded only gave 2 bars. Now add another customer that also had a branded HTC Kaiser, his displayed the same as mine. Yet both ATT Tilts were (4) bars. The rep. indicted that all the ATT Tilts have been tweaked!. I called HTC and they had no clue. Has anyone been aware of this difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep i have htc kaiser, same probelm, tried o2 simcard 2 bars same with 3g.Rang htc helpdesk they dont have a clue.many user generally one the net has this probelm.dont know what the fix is.
debu11 said:
yep i have htc kaiser, same probelm, tried o2 simcard 2 bars same with 3g.Rang htc helpdesk they dont have a clue.many user generally one the net has this probelm.dont know what the fix is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too have tried 2 different SIM cards. I have also tried turning off 3G. Motorola V3xx shows 4 bars of service, while the Tilt (sitting in the same exact spot, at the same time), shows at most 2 bars, and sometimes even 0 bars.
My Treo 750 also always shows at least 2 bars, when the Tilt goes down to zero.
Very frustrating
cincy1020 said:
Hi:
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but does this also disable 3G/hsdpa?
Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed this, and before i had it i aways got hspda, now w/it intstalled i only get 3g, i still have hspda enabled via kaiser tweak, but it doesn't show up, i'm in a hspda city(st. louis) i've had it for about a month or so now and cant get it w/this program installed, any fix for this? on the upside i do get more signal strength w/it. I"m using att tilt w/the tilt rom.
tag for increasing signal strength program
In the Kaiser Upgrading forum I added my two cents about this in the Radios thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1783489&postcount=96
It's been my experience that 3G/HSDPA has much better throughput than EDGE at a lower signal strength. "2 bars" of 3G reception still beats even "4 bars" of EVDO/EDGE.
Of course, if you want I could tweak the radio .dll to report 4 bars if it will make you feel better -- It's still 2 bars of 3G though. To use a much less flattering analogy it's the equivalent of me peeing on your back and telling you it's raining.
rob.ocelot said:
In the Kaiser Upgrading forum I added my two cents about this in the Radios thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1783489&postcount=96
It's been my experience that 3G/HSDPA has much better throughput than EDGE at a lower signal strength. "2 bars" of 3G reception still beats even "4 bars" of EVDO/EDGE.
Of course, if you want I could tweak the radio .dll to report 4 bars if it will make you feel better -- It's still 2 bars of 3G though. To use a much less flattering analogy it's the equivalent of me peeing on your back and telling you it's raining.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the actual problem isn't that not enough bars are shown, I think the problem (at least for me) is terrible reception. At times, my phone goes down to zero bars, and sends all calls to voicemail. During this exact time, I can have a Moto V3xx and a Treo 750 sitting right next to the Tilt, and both will have at least 2 bars, and good call quality.
PS: My reception seems about the same with 3G on or off. Although I have seen many reports of 3G interfering with reception (ie. when it switches over), in my case turning 3G off completely hasn't helped at all.
HTC Kaiser/TytnII/Tilt Reception sucks!
I had an Mpx220 up until October 2007, which is when I purchased the AT&T Tilt. The VOICE reception on this phone is terrible! I get very low reception at home when I used to get full reception on my Mpx220 before! Also, whenever I'm on the speakerphone, the person on the other line has trouble hearing me. I called AT&T and had them exchange my bad phone. Once I got the new phone... THE SAME PROBLEMS!!!! I went back to my Mpx220 and the reception was wonderful on my Mpx! What's up with the Tilt? Also, the camera has a high resolution, but it takes about 5-6 seconds to take the picture once the button is pressed. Oh, and whenever I lose reception/signal completely and go back to an area where there is good signal, the phone will take FOREVER to recognize it's on a new signal area! Sometimes it doesn't even recognize this and I have to restart the phone. It sucks! This phone, so far, has been good in EVERYTHING except as a phone!!! BEWARE!

Diamond and UMTS is working fine? (Or worse than Cruise?)

Hello I bought the Diamond yesterday, I'm very satisfied except for the UMTS signal.
I already have a Touch Cruise (it didn't work in UMTS so HTC repaired it on warranty and now it works like a charm).
In the last 48 hours I had Diamond and Cruise one next to the other, and Diamond has always 2 lines less:
* when Cruise is in HSDPA with 4 lines, Diamond is in HSDPA with 2 lines
* when Cruise is in HSDPA with 2 lines, Diamond is in GSM.
Is this normal?
Many thanks in advance.
J.
Everyone has it i have also a TC and indeed, its shows always 2 lines more then the TD.
Same here my htc diamond has always two lines less than my htc kaiser.
The diamond has really a poor UMTS signal reception. I hope they will be able to boost it with a new ROM.
Same here
before with TC i got 2 lines 3G now non
Thanks for your feedback!
So it seems to be a common problem.
Today I checked during all the day, moving from a city to another city, half the time the Cruise had more lines, half the time they had the same.
Other feedbacks? Thanks
same problem here in austria. before i had full signal with my sony erricson t650i, now with the touch diamond i only have the half signal strength...
Well, it doesnt give many bars, but it works like hell here.
When using it as a modem (I often do on the road) I get speeds upto 150kb/s for browsing and emailing and that is just perfect for everything.
My 3G Reception is also VERY Bad.....
I´m using the latest Radio ROM 1.00.25.03.
Because of this weak 3G Recepion the Diamond changes to GSM very often, this eats the Battery up in about 6-8 Hours.....Even if I don´t play around much and the 3G Coverage here is excellent.....
Diamond: 1-2 Bars
Nokia E51: Always full Bars (-87dBm and up)
Hopefully Reception will be better with a new Radio ROM.
If it´s an Antenna issue.........DAMN!!!
I never had a Mobile with THAT bad 3G Reception.
BtW: GSM Reception is fair to good.... could be better also....
Poor 3G signal
That's right,
I have also very poor 3g signal, even though I live in the city area. I have also missed incoming/outgoing calls because the poor 3G signal.
That's not nice
same prob here (big city)
switched manually to gsm not to loose calls
Are you sure this is just 3G and not worse reception in general (ie due to smaller antenna in Diamond)?
in gsm mode i never experienced any trouble with calls.
in auto mode diamond switches to 3g (half signal strength), but one can't call me
wcg-tom said:
in auto mode diamond switches to 3G (half signal strength), but one can't call me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh, this sounds even worse. Having a bad reception is one thing but showing a "fake reception" is a complete different level of bug.
Just to ensure that I did not get you wrong: You see a 3G reception (e.g. 2 or 3 bars) but the phone does not receive incoming calls and the caller is redirected to your mailbox instead?
foo said:
Uh, this sounds even worse. Having a bad reception is one thing but showing a "fake reception" is a complete different level of bug.
Just to ensure that I did not get you wrong: You see a 3G reception (e.g. 2 or 3 bars) but the phone does not receive incoming calls and the caller is redirected to your mailbox instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, got me right.
in my case it's not the mailbox, just a message ("not available" or something like that) because of my settings, but that's petty.
thats why i manually switched to gsm. for using 3g (internet) i have to swith this back again.
annoying!
wcg-tom said:
in gsm mode i never experienced any trouble with calls.
in auto mode diamond switches to 3g (half signal strength), but one can't call me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should not happen, even when I have the minimum bars in 3G or H others can call me.
When you have full bars in 3G does it work?
same here, although i found that switching off umts and just using plain 3g solved the issues.
jwalker said:
This should not happen, even when I have the minimum bars in 3G or H others can call me.
When you have full bars in 3G does it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. when it's stable at full bars or even H, i can use it.
but i deacivated 3g anyway because of powersaving. only using it for web access.
there's a tool for switching 3g in comm manager easily, now i'm happy so far.
So, is it phone or is it just peace of s***?
Hi All
Do you have any fresh idea could it(lousy 3g signal) be hardware or software related issue?
The globe is full of small 3g phones without that kind of problem. That's why I really hope this issue could be fixed with the new ROM radio version...???
I hope I'm right, because if the pain is hardware related, we all have bought pretty expencive peace of crap -not the phone. It is not acceptable if the incoming / outgoing calls are missed!
Same problem, poor 3G reception .
Cruise was far better for receiving 3G signal.
Hope it is software only....

Diamond HSDPA

Well, I've got my Diamond for a week now. Its a good looking phone, but I hardly get HSDPA signal comparing to my previous Hermes. Then I upgraded to new rom 1.37.707.1.WWE with radio version 1.00.25.03 hoping to get HSDPA signal easily. No change
Meanwhile my huawei e220 modem get this signal so easy. Any clues?? thanks in advance
Do you get 3G/UMTS reception instead or do you stick to GSM/GPRS?
I'm stick with GSM/GPRS though my settings is set to auto for both network type and GSM/UMTS band
abe505 said:
I'm stick with GSM/GPRS though my settings is set to auto for both network type and GSM/UMTS band
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same problem here...
however, with my tytnII I dont get any hsdpa at all, and with my diamond its almost all the time at hsdpa, but only with one bar reception inside, or it switch back to GSM/GPRS.... weird ****, because hsdpa is enabled on my TytnII...
hopefully a new radio will come soon
I have also noticed that compared to my TYTN II the Diamond's HSDPA reception is absolutly crap. It came with a 1.35 ROM and older version of the radio so I also tried upgrading to 1.37.707.1 with radio 1.00.25.03 and no change.
I live right in the middle of Melbourne, Australia and the quality of HSDPA is crap crap crap.... Hopefully a new radio will be out soon as this is this is one of the things that really lets the Diamond down.
simpsoa said:
I have also noticed that compared to my TYTN II the Diamond's HSDPA reception is absolutly crap. It came with a 1.35 ROM and older version of the radio so I also tried upgrading to 1.37.707.1 with radio 1.00.25.03 and no change.
I live right in the middle of Melbourne, Australia and the quality of HSDPA is crap crap crap.... Hopefully a new radio will be out soon as this is this is one of the things that really lets the Diamond down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must second that. I live in Sydney and 3G reception is totally crap.
There are also other threads here dealing with this problem:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402307
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=403038

poor network reception?

anybody here experiences the same problem as i do?
my diamond's reception is nowhere near the levels that i have with my SE K610 or my Nokia N95 which always shows full network reception level... occasionally minus 1 bar
but my diamond always overs around 1 - 3/4 bars
is this normal?
i sent my phone in to HTC and they just did a software upgrade for me
wondering if i should send it in again
Change your radio. Find one that works well for your area and network.
i've tried .06, .11 and now .18 and the problem persists!!!
i wonder could it be becos of my phone itself
i face the same issue too, as with my wife's set as well. i was using the trinity before, compared the reception between the trinity and my wife's TD, trinity had better reception, even for wifi. my trinity had full reception but the TD only had half...
ok good to know that i'm not the only one with this problem...
btw, the issue seems more severe with 3G networks... on GSM it seems to be a whole lot better..
anybody here who has network reception as good as on other phones?
i remember i had a hermes and a trinity before and those had very good reception too
up for more contirbution

SE Responds to Signal Strength Problem

Hey guys ... I was just reading on the SE X1 blog (http://sonyericssonxperiax1.blogspot.com) something about cool X1 accessories and was very surprised when I read this:
"Other accessories include things to boost the phones use, like memory cards, an easily applicator chip to boost signal strength, car chargers to keep your Xperia working while travelling, and many others..."
Now I know that I m one among many here that think that x1 signal strength is very poor .. has anybody heard about this chip before and where can I get it, how much does it cost, how effective is it and how do you use it?
regards
I don't think that blog is official, and I highly doubt those "chips" actually work.
reception on the phone is poor. driving, building, walking... you never know when it's gonna go. pain the jane.
Those signal chips have been around for almost a decade. They don't work but don't take my word for it. Go to ebay and order yourself one.
well .. this blog isn't official ..
plus , i haven't ever faced a poor signal since i've been usin my X1
3aZoOoF said:
well .. this blog isn't official ..
plus , i haven't ever faced a poor signal since i've been usin my X1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u will, i have fall signal whilst writing a text and by the time i have finished its trying to find a signal, even though i have not moved. im hoping that the r3 firmware improves this in some way, maybe release a new radio for the x1
I have any X1a on ATT and the signal sux. What's really weird I noticed is that the call is never handed off either (3G to E). Instead, it drops the call completely and then goes to Edge.
elee888 said:
I have any X1a on ATT and the signal sux. What's really weird I noticed is that the call is never handed off either (3G to E). Instead, it drops the call completely and then goes to Edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard complaints about this with the iPhone 3G too. Probably an AT&T thing rather than the X1 in particular.
I'm on T-Mobile (so EDGE only), and it's been as reliable as any other phone I've had (aside from T-Mobile coverage sucking in general).
Ganondolf said:
u will, i have fall signal whilst writing a text and by the time i have finished its trying to find a signal, even though i have not moved. im hoping that the r3 firmware improves this in some way, maybe release a new radio for the x1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, the signal strenght problem only affects some countries (UK, some part of USA, ...). It much depends on the operator infrastructure.
Here in Netherlands i dont have any problems with signal on 3g i can browse every where i want
[email protected] said:
As far as I know, the signal strenght problem only affects some countries (UK, some part of USA, ...). It much depends on the operator infrastructure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am in the uk, but my old sony w960i never had a problem. sony has already said that the signal is weaker due to the metal housing of the handset but there is a signal booster in the handset that comes on if it looses signal but sony says if drains more battery
I've the same problems too. I have to switch off the 3G/WCDMA to get the strong signal..btw, I'm from Indonesia..
yeah the signal is bad all my old SE phones had no problems but x1.....
Reception is fine here in Austria too.
And please, stay away from these chips. Only thing they do is stealing your money out of your pocket.
Chaosstorm said:
Here in Netherlands i dont have any problems with signal on 3g i can browse every where i want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is not with browsing... you barely notice a drop in the speed or change from 2.5G to 3G.
The problem is when calls drop or everyone else around you seems to get reception and you're still tapping 'please resend message'.
Might seem like a small problem to some but I'm doing around 2000 minutes a month and it get's on your nerves.
I like the phone so am looking for a fix / update.
Cheers,
DrSpain
Same in Belgium... No problem with the signal Strenght, often I am in HSDPA mode
tricky42 said:
I've heard complaints about this with the iPhone 3G too. Probably an AT&T thing rather than the X1 in particular.
I'm on T-Mobile (so EDGE only), and it's been as reliable as any other phone I've had (aside from T-Mobile coverage sucking in general).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This really seems to be an AT&T Problem. My X1 hands over 3G (actually 3.5) and Edge quite well during calls. I have here a low 3G signal, but good Edge signal. 3G is prefered so I´ve an handover quite often.
I'm on Vodafone in the UK and while my colleagues on the same Network have a signal using other phones, my X1 invariably does not. I usually have to go to the other side of the office to get a signal. Hope new firmware can sort the problem out.
Darkwolfde said:
This really seems to be an AT&T Problem. My X1 hands over 3G (actually 3.5) and Edge quite well during calls. I have here a low 3G signal, but good Edge signal. 3G is prefered so I´ve an handover quite often.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got ATT/X1A in NYC and have no problem unless I'm in some basement. Perhaps the OP has limited himself by selecting a particular band and/or network type? I know if I purposely select WCDMA my 3G will drop because it's pretty spotty out here. Call quality is perfect if I have them both on Auto.
New firmware isn't going to fix it. It's a hardware issue caused by the build of the device, structure and materials used etc - they are blocking the signal slightly.

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