Database Develop

Improved my reception, super safe fix?

Originally posted this under the Bad reception (safer) fix but I did not get any replies so I thought I'd give it a little more attention...
"I noticed something really interesting. Yesterday evening I was reading this thread and I tried to open the casing just to see what the antenna looks like. I managed to get one side open and was bending around a little but I couldn't open it fully. Did not want to break anything and sitting in a hotel room without any proper tools I popped it back again. Now, where I've been working this week the reception is so bad with my Qtek 9100 I actually brought my old Siemens S55 with me which I've been using all day. Switched back this evening and all of a sudden the reception is excellent (3 or 4 bars instead of none or 1) and has been for over 30 minutes now. I even tried calling it from another cell phone for a couple of minutes and the call wasn't dropped.
Is it possible that some bending and letting some air in actually did something? Maybe got rid of some corrosion, I don't know, I'm certainly no technician. However there is something substantially different from yesterday. Guesses anyone?"
Btw, it's now gone almost a day and reception is still excellent.

Dmon said:
Maybe got rid of some corrosion...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either your guess was right or you just restored a good contact somehow.
But kevev offered a way to improve reception on the (supposedly) good device, not the malfunctioning one.

True, and I agree that my opening the casing and putting it back probably got rid of some corrosion. On the other hand I would not say that I have a malfunctioning device. My device is one year old and if it has corroded in that time I think it is likely that this is a common problem and could be the reason why many users experience bad reception. I'm thinking that the contact between the antenna and the springy thing was bad and for many people just opening the casing and cleaning the contact could improve reception greatly.
I don't think my reception has been bad ever since I bought it, but it has been really bad the last couple of months.... until now that is.

New to N1 - Signal issues

Hey guys, I bought my N1 2 days ago right when Google announced they were closing down N1 sale..... I was on the fence for long!!! I am trying hard not to like the phone yet since I have seen some signal issues with this phone! I live in downtown and work around the same area, T-Mobile coverage map shows strong signal but my phone keeps switching between Edge and 3G. If that is bad enough, some times it shows 3G and if I try accessing Market, I get data connection lost error!!
When phone was shipped, it came packaged with 2.1.1 and soon after I got an OTA and upgraded to 2.2!!
Is it how it is going to be? I use this phone for work so definitely can't keep it if I can't get good signal. Is there a fix without rooting? Can I try a different radio or something!??
Also, I have contacted all 3 companies in the mix and waiting for the response! Any help to get this thing fixed, if possible, would be greatly appreciated!!!

It could be that you are just in a bad Tmobile/Att area, the Nexus One has a small problem with signal strength, nothing that has EVER dropped a call or stopped me from surfing.

its really sensitive to your hand blocking the antenna. leave the internal antenna exposed by slightly spreading your fingers apart. antenna is on the bottom behind the words HTC.
question: why are so many recent cell phones so sensitive to the hand obstructing the antenna? samsung galaxy s is it worst that i've ever seen. HTC nexus one has this issue, htc incredible, desire, nokia e71, etc. is it because these phones are getting so thin that it puts the distance between our hand and the antenna that much closer? i cant think of any other reason. i refuse to believe that its from poor components considering samsung, htc, nokia, all different manufacturers have the same problem. so it cant be quality of components.

Ive been having the same issue from Day 1 with my nexus but only in certain areas. Buildings where the T-Mobile coverage map shows 3g but it just switches back and forth edge/3g when i pick it up(block antenna)

Thanks a lot for all your response guys! So if I buy a rubberized cover, should it improve the situation?

Don't trust carrier coverage maps. Where I live tmobile promises good coverage. I got zero bars. Try to compare the reception with another phone on tmobile.

blablum said:
Don't trust carrier coverage maps. Where I live tmobile promises good coverage. I got zero bars. Try to compare the reception with another phone on tmobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a bummer that carriers lie on their coverage map! This is the only T-Mobile phone I ever owned and I don't know anyone else with T-Mobile 3G handset!! Well I just have to see next few days and decide whether I want to stick with it or not! I really hate to return it though!

[Q] 30cm fall makes me have no service...

Hi,
My Incredible S fell from the couch to the floor. Ever since I don't have any service. There is a small 'x' above the bars that show me how "good" my reception is.
I tried doing a hard reset but that had 0 result. When i try to find my provider manually it gives me an 'error while finding network'.
A friend advised me to use the expertise of this forum, so here I am.
Anyone with an idea?
Thanks in advance!

I forgot to mention that everything else works fine.
Model: HTC Incredible S S710e
Android-version: 2.3.3

Did you try to remove and re-insert your sim card ?
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using XDA App

Yes, I did. I also tried the sim card of a friend and it had the same result.

sorry to hear about your problem
i'd check to see if your antenna pins on the back of your phone are still intact
the battery cover of the inc s is also the antenna
see here
if those little gold pins aren't making contact then your phone has no antenna.
if they're broken, you'll need a new back cover.
hope this helps
edit: does wifi work?

Thats not good, hope I don't drop mine anytime soon... I have purchased the extra insurance you can get for $7 a month. But I do hope a $500 phone can take a little more than a 30cm fall.

I've checked and everything seems to be in order. The little golden pins are intact and there is just a tiny little scratch on the cover. And I do mean tiny!
Wifi works, but my mobile network doesn't.

if your wifi works then it's probably not an antenna problem
with your sim card in, in phone type *#*#4636#*#*, this opens testing
press phone info it should show your current network and signal strength
if it shows you're not connected, or it can't see any network then i really have
no idea. :s :s

dragneyez said:
Thats not good, hope I don't drop mine anytime soon... I have purchased the extra insurance you can get for $7 a month. But I do hope a $500 phone can take a little more than a 30cm fall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drop an iphone 4 onto concrete from 30cm and see what happens

Unkown
Fail
False
Inactive
0
...
Those are the things that appear when i try that testnumber :'(
Thanks for trying though

They should call it HTC Incredibly Sensitive... Djeez

delete please

double post sorry.

snapz54 said:
Today we’re looking at the SIGNALBOOST DT from Wilson Electronics.
Click here for pricing, working informational links, and links to purchase.
This is the home version of the Wilson's cell phone signal booster tech, you remember that we'd taken a look at the Sleek 4G-v a while ago which is the in car solution to low bars and dropped calls. Wilson makes a version of their tech to grow and fit any need. Aside from home and auto options that you can easily install yourself, they offer large scale systems that can cover your entire business with a professional installation. As I'd mentioned in the Sleek 4G review, this isn't a gimmick. No stickers, no false promises. If you have at least a little bit of signal, Wilson's products can amplify it. Read on...
Click here to see a video slideshow of the SIGNALBOOST DT
Main advantage: No physical connection to cell phone needed, product will wirelessly boost the signal of an entire room in your home
Main concern: Install is simple, but not easy. Specific distances need to be maintained and based on the layout of your home things can get a bit tricky
Unique features: Works with all major carriers, Boosts the signals of multiple phones at the same time
I still personally maintain the theory that the cell service providers greatly limit the true capabilities of phones to always have a wild card up their sleeves. When technology has advanced beyond anything and it's hard to impress they can always announce, “guaranteed signal increase of up to two bars with our new service” Verizon is definitely capable of this and many other atrocities that would frighten school children across the world if I were to speculate here in print. I'll spare the world the horror and we'll just agree that cell service could be much improved across the board. We need a third party to step in, we need an equalizer to take the power out of the hands of the big 4 here in the US. Wilson Electronics might just be the hero that we need.
I wouldn't trust a person who wasn't at least a bit skeptical about spending a couple of hundred dollars on a cell phone signal booster. Let's get a little backstory to begin. The first thing that helped to bring my attention to Wilson is that Verizon and others were trying to rally the government to ban products like theirs. It's clear that when the bad guy says that something is bad it's most likely bad for them. The cell providers were working furiously for years through the diversions and double speak of lawyers and lobbyists to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The baby being real solutions like Wilson's and the bathwater being the congested sea of snake oil created by years of AS SEEN ON TV cell booster sticker nonsense.
Let's say that you owned an emerging healthy chain restaurant in New York City. You're highly trained and you make great healthy food and business is growing. One day, an employee at a Jack in the Box in Idaho spills floor cleaner in the special sauce and everyone gets sick. Back in New York, there is a big company that sells junky microwave dinners to supermarkets and business is being hurt by how tasty and healthy your food is. The company decides to lobby the government to have all restaurants in the country shut down including your chain in New York. All of this because of an untrained idiot in Idaho (no offense Idaho.) On the surface it might seem like the frozen dinner company is genuinely concerned about the well being of the people, but a little reasonable thought and you can see that it's all a ploy to get rid of the healthy chain that's threatening business with a great product that is a better choice than their own frozen heart attacks. That's basically the idea here, and it's obviously a ridiculous case. Verizon and others didn't win, but they successfully delayed and cast doubt over products like this unfortunately. My job as a journalist is to tell you the truth without exception. Signal boosters like Wilson's aren't perfect, but if you have at least some reception anywhere in the country, Wilson will show you at least some improvement in signal.
To dramatically sum this up, Verizon and the other major carriers are selling a disease that they don't want cured, and Wilson Electronics wants to sell you the medicine.
I mentioned briefly above that the system is simple, but not necessarily easy. It's basically only three pieces; an outdoor and indoor antenna, and a desktop receiver. All the required installation wires and hardware are included in the package. You're given the instructions for three separate scenarios to install the main outdoor antenna. The first, which is described as the best, is outside on or near your roof mounted to a pole. The outdoor antenna comes with a cradle and it is weatherized and sealed for prolonged outdoor use. Any weather damage is covered for a year after purchase to ease any doubts. This is the preferred option as I stated, and I'm sure it would be the only option if it wasn't a very difficult task for many people. I personally live in a multistory building that doesn't allow roof access. The next best option is an outdoor wall mounted installation. You're given the hardware to drill into your home's outer walls where you'll then mount the outdoor antenna facing the nearest cell phone tower. Again, in a multistory building, this isn't a very practical option. That leaves us with the last option that is the simplest but also the least effective, indoor suction cup mounting to a window.
Once you decide which install you're capable of, the only challenge left is running coaxial cable. If the name doesn't ring a bell, coaxial cable is the thicker white wire that your cable man installs. The unit comes with two lengths of RG6 cables, one 20' and one 30' for a total of 50' of possible separation. Also included is an optional adapter to attach the two lengths together if need be. You need a minimum of 20' separation between the outdoor and indoor antennas which can get tricky depending on your home's layout. The best layout that I could find meant that I mounted the antenna on my living room window and dropped the cable down to the base of the floor as the cable man might. I then followed the corners of the room, through a hallway, into my office where there was about 25' separation all together. I then connected the indoor antenna to the other side of the coaxial cable. It's designed to lay flat with 4 rubber skid proof buttons on the bottom. You then just need to connect the desktop receiver which will need to face away from the antenna for optimal functionality. The system works best in a smaller area such an office or bedroom. After connecting all of the components, plug in the included AC adapter to power the device and then you have the option to further tune the device to work just right for you.
A very welcomed addition to this system is a two light on-board notification system that helps you to get the best signal. The lights with show in three colors; red, orange, and green. Red means you aren't configured correctly and it turns the device off altogether to not interfere with any existing signal. Orange means you're getting closer and Green as you've guessed, means you're in tune. Two dials under each light allow you to adjust if you can no longer move the actual components of the system. The further down you turn the dials, the less signal improvement you'll see though. After every adjustment to the dial you'll need to wait at least 5 seconds for the signal to reset. Though the process as I've laid it out might seem involved, remember that it is only a one time setup. You'll never need to touch the pieces of the system after you install (in fact, you won't want to touch them because you might mess with the perfect signal that you worked so hard to get in the first place)
If you'd like to see the full PDF of the included installation instructions, click here.
Here is a site that can help you to find the location of local cell towers.
I tried to set the system up in a few different sections of my own home that are known to get the best reception, though the best is still normally only 2 bars at best. While I found technical success, I didn't find the dramatic increase that many happy customers have reported across the internet. I live in a notoriously difficult cell phone reception area so I don't blame the device. In the end I was able to improve from two bars to three bars. Specifically, the way a cell phone's reception is measured is through dBm. I'm not smart enough to technically understand this beyond knowing that he measurement is taken in negative numbers so a lower number is a better number. I improved from -107dbm to -96dbm which is a ten times increase in signal according to Wilson. I haven't dropped a call since and while it wasn't a frequent occurrence really, I did drop calls before. I have noticed a clear improvement in call volume actually which is very welcome. I'd spent many a phone call in the past with a finger angrily jammed into my ear trying to focus on a low call volume. Nevermore.
Thank you again to Wilson Electronics for supplying their product for review.
What's in the box: outdoor and indoor antenna, outdoor cradle, coaxial cable, ac adapter, install instructions, all mounting hardware
Is it worth buying: Many report a dramatic increase when using the product but the most important thing to remember is that this device isn't magic. It won't make something from nothing but if you have a weak signal it should give you a very usable and constant signal at the least. At best, people have reported that calls are so clear and loud that they need to actually turn the in-call volume down. While that wasn't my own experience, hundreds of accounts online plus my own give me full confidence in recommending the product. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do definitely agree with you I use them on all my vehicles and motorcycle. ..and there is only one thing to say.....it will rock your network in many places that are miles and miles from network
SGH-S959G

Verizon LG G2 GPS Fix Solution

I had a problem with my LG G2 Verizon Smartphone. The GPS wouldn't lock on and didn't know which direction I would even be going ( I searched I couldn't find a solution.). I ran into this app and it works, Assisted GPS Injector. It's available in the market and it worked immediately and took care of all the issues I was having. I'm sorry if this has been posted here before, but I just wanted to make sure everybody knew becaue I tried many things to get the gps to work right and none of them worked until I used this app..

topurdue said:
I had a problem with my LG G2 Verizon Smartphone. The GPS wouldn't lock on and didn't know which direction I would even be going ( I searched I couldn't find a solution.). I ran into this app and it works, Assisted GPS Injector. It's available in the market and it worked immediately and took care of all the issues I was having. I'm sorry if this has been posted here before, but I just wanted to make sure everybody knew becaue I tried many things to get the gps to work right and none of them worked until I used this app..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried a bunch of attempts at getting my GPS to fix (different roms, editing gps.conf, using various gps apps, etc), but after replacing it 3 times with VZW I got it. Some of the HW is known to crap out for GPS so if you have warranty with VZW, don't hestitate to call and swap devices.

I'll try this tommorow, been having problems with my GPS as well, it'll lock but it will be sort of erratic/not accurate and lose signal. I'm on my third replacement device so I really don't wanna have to do all that again..
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Didn't do anything for me
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Dri94 said:
Didn't do anything for me
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea if there's a difference other than ads on the pro or free. I paid the .99 for the app. It worked for me instantly. Clicked on the app then on the gps icon and away I went and it found my exact location immediately and kept locked on the entire trip. I only tried it because I read in the reviews somebody had similar issues with their lg g2 and it worked for them. I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I had downloaded A-GPS Xtra and reset all my previous gps data first. Although that didn't help my situation by itself it could of possibly helped.

On my first G2, the GPS wasn't great no matter what ROM I used, it didn't even work right out of the box. The replacement I got has been working on literally every every ROM I used. The original didn't work on any firmware release either. I tried many different apps and config files. The one I'm on now is perfect. I guess it's just bad luck sometimes I guess if still stock one can always go to Verizon about it
Sent from my LG-G2 using Tapatalk

I didn't have a choice about taking it back to Verizon. I bought it off of CL and it was probably one the original owner had replaced. So, returning it isn't an option for everybody. I tried many things that didn't work also, but this app did and it's why I shared.

I've had a similar issue on my sprint version. Doesn't make it unusable but sometimes I will magically be driving on the wrong side of the interstate or of the road backwards. I just hope that it's just a software bug
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk

I bought my Verizon g2 on swappa so I am in the same boat. I don't know what this magic app does but works for me. Thanks for sharing.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Help
incubus2 said:
I bought my Verizon g2 on swappa so I am in the same boat. I don't know what this magic app does but works for me. Thanks for sharing.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates how to fix this?

I have been going back and forth with Verizon and the GPS on my G2. I actually have my third replacement phone waiting for me when I get home. The last rep I spoke with said that it is a known issue that is to be fixed with an upcoming update. I would assume that update to be 4.4.2 but I haven't heard whether or not the GPS is any better in the leaked OTA. He did tell me that they have received the update from LG but it was currently being tested.

The GPS issue is actually a hardware issue. There is a springy connector on the phone that tries to keep a steady connection to the anttenae strip on the battery cover. It is on the side opposite of the SIM card.
Here is a picture from another XDA thread by JTNiggle that shows the insides of the VZW LG G2.
First picture shows the battery cover and you can see the small square copper connector for the GPS antennae on the right hand side. Second picture shows on the right side of the phone above the battery the little springy copper connector for the GPS sensor on the phone. These are the two areas I used very tiny pieces of electrical tape on to make a solid connection. This has 100% resolved my issue with GPS signals and I have been sporting this change for over a week now. I get a signal lock between 3-7 seconds depending on where I am at (inside or outside) and the days weather. I have done this on a total of 4 phones now and all four phones no longer have GPS signal lock issue. Just make sure you use a non metal tool to pop the battery cover off so it doesn't scratch up the shiny silver bezel strip.
---------- Post added at 09:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------
cckeeler said:
I have been going back and forth with Verizon and the GPS on my G2. I actually have my third replacement phone waiting for me when I get home. The last rep I spoke with said that it is a known issue that is to be fixed with an upcoming update. I would assume that update to be 4.4.2 but I haven't heard whether or not the GPS is any better in the leaked OTA. He did tell me that they have received the update from LG but it was currently being tested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly don't think all the software updates in the world would fix this problem. It is a physical hardware issue that is causing the problem.

Ainvar said:
The GPS issue is actually a hardware issue. There is a springy connector on the phone that tries to keep a steady connection to the anttenae strip on the battery cover. It is on the side opposite of the SIM card.
First picture shows the battery cover and you can see the small square copper connector for the GPS antennae on the right hand side. Second picture shows on the right side of the phone above the battery the little springy copper connector for the GPS sensor on the phone. These are the two areas I used very tiny pieces of electrical tape on to make a solid connection. This has 100% resolved my issue with GPS signals and I have been sporting this change for over a week now. I get a signal lock between 3-7 seconds depending on where I am at (inside or outside) and the days weather. I have done this on a total of 4 phones now and all four phones no longer have GPS signal lock issue. Just make sure you use a non metal tool to pop the battery cover off so it doesn't scratch up the shiny silver bezel strip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great info! Could you clarify just a little what exactly you did with the electrical tape? Like put a tiny piece "under" the flex connector? I haven't actually taken mine apart yet so maybe this would be clearer then... Also is there a chance this would help my compass? I can't seem to get it calibrated and working.

forgiven90 said:
This is great info! Could you clarify just a little what exactly you did with the electrical tape? Like put a tiny piece "under" the flex connector? I haven't actually taken mine apart yet so maybe this would be clearer then... Also is there a chance this would help my compass? I can't seem to get it calibrated and working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the phone itself there is a small copy flex like connector. If you look on the link that shows the two images for the inside of the phone and the inside of the battery cover, you will see on the phone the tiny little flex connector I am speaking about. With gentle tender care slide some electrical tape (fold it together sticky sides in) underneath the flex connector. This will help it keep a solid connection to the antennae plate on the battery cover. I have done this on 4 phones total one of them mine. All four VZW LG G2 phones had the same issue. Depending on exactly where you were at you would get a weak lock/signal when needing to use GPS on the phone. After this was done the signal is nice and strong and locks within 3-7 seconds for me (yes I have timed it). This is both indoors and outdoors. The G2 is able to lock onto GPS just like any of my other phones in the past and also the MotoX.
I haven't had to modify the GPS.conf from stock (this never worked for me anyways as it wasn't able to acquire a signal 99% of the time). GPS just now works.

Will this also fix the issue of showing that I am like 3-4 houses away, while when I was on JB it showed me I was next door(or at least in between next door and my actual location).

Ainvar said:
On the phone itself there is a small copy flex like connector. If you look on the link that shows the two images for the inside of the phone and the inside of the battery cover, you will see on the phone the tiny little flex connector I am speaking about. With gentle tender care slide some electrical tape (fold it together sticky sides in) underneath the flex connector. This will help it keep a solid connection to the antennae plate on the battery cover. I have done this on 4 phones total one of them mine. All four VZW LG G2 phones had the same issue. Depending on exactly where you were at you would get a weak lock/signal when needing to use GPS on the phone. After this was done the signal is nice and strong and locks within 3-7 seconds for me (yes I have timed it). This is both indoors and outdoors. The G2 is able to lock onto GPS just like any of my other phones in the past and also the MotoX.
I haven't had to modify the GPS.conf from stock (this never worked for me anyways as it wasn't able to acquire a signal 99% of the time). GPS just now works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that was an easy mod! I cut a strip of black elec tape about 3/32" x 3/8" and doubled the end to make approx 3/32" of the end doubled. this left a short tab that I could use to manipulate the doubled part under the flex connector and then stick in place to secure it there (or remove later if desired). My GPS and compass are both very responsive and accurate now. I'm also using GPS Status and I've used an app called GPS Injector that I believe help but not as much as this mod. :good:

It must be batches, my GPS is about flawless.

forgiven90 said:
Well that was an easy mod! I cut a strip of black elec tape about 3/32" x 3/8" and doubled the end to make approx 3/32" of the end doubled. this left a short tab that I could use to manipulate the doubled part under the flex connector and then stick in place to secure it there (or remove later if desired). My GPS and compass are both very responsive and accurate now. I'm also using GPS Status and I've used an app called GPS Injector that I believe help but not as much as this mod. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep was easy, I got this idea of course from seeing that image I linked in my previous post and I saw the inside of the phone.

forgiven90 said:
Well that was an easy mod! I cut a strip of black elec tape about 3/32" x 3/8" and doubled the end to make approx 3/32" of the end doubled. this left a short tab that I could use to manipulate the doubled part under the flex connector and then stick in place to secure it there (or remove later if desired). My GPS and compass are both very responsive and accurate now. I'm also using GPS Status and I've used an app called GPS Injector that I believe help but not as much as this mod. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mind posting some pictures of how/where you applied the tape? Thanks!
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

fsiddique said:
Do you mind posting some pictures of how/where you applied the tape? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would if I could, but I have plastic/vinyl tape on the back of my phone that in not ready to remove yet
Member Ainver posted a link with pix just a few posts up.
I think when you get the back off the phone it will make more sense what has been posted here also.
Good luck
Sent from Mexico with my Cloudyflex'd VS980 4G