HERMES WORST NIGHTMARE - "the cell phone death trap" - 8525, TyTN, MDA Vario II, JasJam General

I recently moved into a new ‘cell phone death trap’ apartment (apt).
I’ve seen my phone connect, I’m guessing; connect to four different cell towers from my apt. I’ve sat and watched it go from 2 bar E, disconnect, to 1 bar G, disconnect, to no bars 3G, disconnect, and so on….
But here’s the clincher…
Sometimes it will also connect to a full strength edge network, but it indicates it’s roaming by the Triangle icon. Now if I’m on that ‘Triangle” network, my phone works great, meaning I actually can make and receive calls!
But, I’m guessing again, because it shows it is roaming; it also does not like to stay connected to this network. Actually it prefers to switch itself back onto a weak edge network without any signal.
My phone battery doesn’t last more than five hours, NOT TALKING, just in standby because it is constantly switching towers.
At this point I want to throw my Hermes out a window! But I know that wont do any good, because anyone else who come to my apt and has AT&T/Cingular gets the same results.
So here’s my question:
“Can I force my phone to stay on a particular cell tower?”
If so, I love you….

you should re-post over in this thread Daniel's software might be able to solve your problem (or Daniel might have other ideas).

thank you for the suggestion. i tried that and he said, "Sorry nop. It isnt the pourpose of cmp or bs...."

I don't think you can force to a specific tower but you can force to a particular provider:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/NETWORK/MANUAL
and also select whether you want to force GSM/WCDMA and the GSM/UNTS band:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/BAND
Maybe by going this route you can lock onto a reasonable signal.
2 other alternatives... Sell the appartment... Buy a landline and donate the Hermes to me
taze said:
I recently moved into a new ‘cell phone death trap’ apartment (apt).
I’ve seen my phone connect, I’m guessing; connect to four different cell towers from my apt. I’ve sat and watched it go from 2 bar E, disconnect, to 1 bar G, disconnect, to no bars 3G, disconnect, and so on….
But here’s the clincher…
Sometimes it will also connect to a full strength edge network, but it indicates it’s roaming by the Triangle icon. Now if I’m on that ‘Triangle” network, my phone works great, meaning I actually can make and receive calls!
But, I’m guessing again, because it shows it is roaming; it also does not like to stay connected to this network. Actually it prefers to switch itself back onto a weak edge network without any signal.
My phone battery doesn’t last more than five hours, NOT TALKING, just in standby because it is constantly switching towers.
At this point I want to throw my Hermes out a window! But I know that wont do any good, because anyone else who come to my apt and has AT&T/Cingular gets the same results.
So here’s my question:
“Can I force my phone to stay on a particular cell tower?”
If so, I love you….
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Are you able to change networks?
Are you able to ask your service provider the location of the towers and if they're planning either any upgrades or any more in the area?
If not you may wish to consider the first point, changing service providers.
I know what a pain it can be to have little or no service when needed. Personally, here in the UK, I'm on Orange. Where I lived in Wales it was either Orange or Vodafone that has a decent signal. When I'm out and about with work those are the two popular towers with o2 creeping up and some others too, but for the most part those are the strongest.
I don't, I'm sorry, have any better advice for you. Apart from leave your Hermes on charge when you're home near a window (safely) and carry a bluetooth earpeice around instead Good Luck with your Valiant Quest

ach2 said:
I don't think you can force to a specific tower but you can force to a particular provider:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/NETWORK/MANUAL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i went to that tab and all i have is a Find Network button, which does nothing...no manual option
ach2 said:
and also select whether you want to force GSM/WCDMA and the GSM/UNTS band:
START/SETTINGS/PHONE/BAND
Maybe by going this route you can lock onto a reasonable signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried this method as well and it does not help. apparently both the good and the band networks all fall under GSM(900+1800)+UMTS(2100). The other two band options never find a network.
ach2 said:
2 other alternatives... Sell the apartment... Buy a landline and donate the Hermes to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll consider it....thank you for your suggestions, I REALLY APPERCIATE ANYONES (constructive) FEEDBACK.

Elwyn M3100 said:
Are you able to change networks?
Are you able to ask your service provider the location of the towers and if they're planning either any upgrades or any more in the area?
If not you may wish to consider the first point, changing service providers.
I know what a pain it can be to have little or no service when needed. Personally, here in the UK, I'm on Orange. Where I lived in Wales it was either Orange or Vodafone that has a decent signal. When I'm out and about with work those are the two popular towers with o2 creeping up and some others too, but for the most part those are the strongest.
I don't, I'm sorry, have any better advice for you. Apart from leave your Hermes on charge when you're home near a window (safely) and carry a bluetooth earpeice around instead. Good Luck with your Valiant Quest
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your suggestions. Unfortuantly im locked in a 2yr contract, thats how ****ty american cell phone companies do things. Plus, the better providers in the area dont use SIM cards (ie. Sprint/Verizon), so that would mean bye bye Hermes.
Ill will go by the Cingular store and ask about the possible service upgrade, but those fools dont really know whats what, thats why im on xda-dev!
I like the bluetooth idea, ill try find a "sweet spot" in the apt and try that method. Thanks again!

"I have dream..."
My idea just seems possible, however i cant program so who am i too.....
The idea of having blocked cell id numbers. If i could FieldTest or somehow extract the cell ids from the towers i dont want, then create a file that the phone checks against before joining a tower.....
I dont know, just a dream i suppose...

In both cases (roaming and not) are you registered in same operator?

If you're having a difficult time maintaining solid cellular reception, you might want to consider buying an external antenna. Refer to my post here regarding an antenna that can be purchased from Radio Shack. The antenna is now on clearance for $20 and the pigtail is $10. This may or may not help depending upon your location in relation to the towers, but if you try it out, let me know how it works.
Cheers

Yeah, I'm on an 18 month contract... But I'm about 8 months in now
You might even be able to get bluetooth repeaters once you find your, ahem, sweet spot

danielherrero said:
In both cases (roaming and not) are you registered in same operator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe so. the only reason i think it's roaming is because of the Triangle icon. But my SIM is only authorized for one operator, Cingular.
is there a better way to check?
Thank you very much Daniel!

Lancealot said:
If you're having a difficult time maintaining solid cellular reception, you might want to consider buying an external antenna. Refer to my post here regarding an antenna that can be purchased from Radio Shack. The antenna is now on clearance for $20 and the pigtail is $10. This may or may not help depending upon your location in relation to the towers, but if you try it out, let me know how it works.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would be willing to try those products but i believe they're now fully discontinued. Either of those item numbers from your post no longer exsist.

No problem
taze said:
i would be willing to try those products but i believe they're now fully discontinued. Either of those item numbers from your post no longer exsist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call your closest Radio Shack and ask if they have either of those catalog numbers in stock. Worst case scenario is that they won't, however they can check the districts perpetual stock and see how many are available, and if you ask nicely, they can have the antenna and pigtail shipped to their store so you don't have to run all over creation just to get it.
...An even worst case scenario would be if you didn't live in the US or didn't have any Radio Shacks close by.. however I might know of someone who could use their employee discount to cover shipping costs Let me know if you have any questions.

weinson said:
you should re-post over in this thread Daniel's software might be able to solve your problem (or Daniel might have other ideas).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taze,
I would also recommend that you try one of Daniel's applications - he is working on Comm Manager Pro but I think that Bandswitch will probably help you. I find similar problems to those you describe at work here in the UK with T-Mobile and my battery would often run low even during a day at work. The problem appears to have been caused by the Vario II (Hermes) spending all day jumping back and forward between networks whilst hunting for the best signal. Although the Bandswitch application (very small footprint) will not increase the signal you may find that forcing the phone to operate in a particular band helps - this is very easily achieved via the Bandswitch interface rather than going into settings each time. I now regularly switch to GSM each day when I get to work and it has solved my battery run-down issue completely!
Comm Manager Pro does much the same and more. It allows you to define a location (according to Cell ID and LAC Code) from which you can set the CMP application to (amongst other functions) switch to a particular band - or even turn the phone off).
Given what you have said this may not help but I would certainly give it a go. Good luck.
Regards

tony.wheeler said:
Taze,
I would also recommend that you try one of Daniel's applications - he is working on Comm Manager Pro but I think that Bandswitch will probably help you. I find similar problems to those you describe at work here in the UK with T-Mobile and my battery would often run low even during a day at work. The problem appears to have been caused by the Vario II (Hermes) spending all day jumping back and forward between networks whilst hunting for the best signal. Although the Bandswitch application (very small footprint) will not increase the signal you may find that forcing the phone to operate in a particular band helps - this is very easily achieved via the Bandswitch interface rather than going into settings each time. I now regularly switch to GSM each day when I get to work and it has solved my battery run-down issue completely!
Comm Manager Pro does much the same and more. It allows you to define a location (according to Cell ID and LAC Code) from which you can set the CMP application to (amongst other functions) switch to a particular band - or even turn the phone off).
Given what you have said this may not help but I would certainly give it a go. Good luck.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im going to try bandswitch today and see how it works. thank you for the suggestion!
i wish daniel could add the feature of blocked, preferred, of locked Cell ID's. that would be worth a good amount of money to me....

Hi.
I would like to help you.... I can detect cells and lac but I cant force radio hardware to attach on a particular cell. This a task for Radio ROM. The only posibility (maybe) would be if the operator names are diferent. Could you go to settings a search for operators? Maybe your operator has different name in roaming than non roaming. In that case It would be easy to help you....

Oooo if FieldTest were a controllable application....
Ok what I’ve discovered so far after watching FieldTest for about an hour.
The Good Connection -
LAC 0020
MNC/MCC 31017
NCELL INFO1 700-80 dbm <---- (at least four out of six NCELL maintain a steady 700-80dbm, often all six NCELL)
NCELL INFO2 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO3 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO4 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO5 700-80 dbm
NCELL INFO6 700-80 dbm
BAND 2CS
CHANNEL 1:CCCH (stays, doesn’t change)
The Bad Connection
LAC d6ef
MNC/MCC 31380
NCELL INFO1 140-100 dbm
NCELL INFO2 140-100 dbm <---- (i get two NCELL at the most 140 each, rarely four NCELL, never more)
NCELL INFO3 0
NCELL INFO4 0
NCELL INFO5 0
NCELL INFO6 0
BAND 3:850 (once I saw it switch to PCS on this same MNC)
CHANNEL 1:CCCH/0:BCCH/255<UNKNOWN> (switches between these quite frequently)
So what I’ve interpreted from all that is.
Well I’ve confirmed my ****ty connection. Even though the phone often shows two bars, I can’t make or receive calls. Based on the NCELL db numbers and the constant channel changing, that **** just don’t work.
Most importantly, the phone is always trying to switch to the highest possible band. Because PCS is a lower band than GSM 850, my phone won’t stay on the PCS connection.
O yes, another discovery is, in WM6, if you are connected to a PCS band network, it displays the Triangle icon as if you are roaming but in fact it is not roaming.
So Daniel since you seem to be the best chance for a better life [for my Hermes]:
I need a way to force band selection beyond just GSM and UMTS.
I tried BandSwitch and it does not work for me because all my available connections fall under GSM.
And even beyond that I’d like to be able to force MNC’s, as I believe they are the specific network number.
Or can I block a LAC?
In settings, I only have one operator, Cingular, “Home of the most dropped calls.”

Hi.
I undestand perfectly your frustration and I will try to do what I can althought It doesnt seem easy thing because there isnt any(known) api to manage Radio Rom. Fieldtest is OEM dependent and I imagine It only works for only one manufacturer of radio hardware chip.
Ok, first try. If you start radio phone 10 times....
1) how many times your phone register to roaming (and wished) network?
2) If registed to roaming network, how much time (aprox) stays on it before register to bad cells?.
Why? well ,CMP executes actions when you enter on some place (compound by cells and lacs). You could create a place with your hated cells and then associate the action "reset radio" when registed to those cells (or lacs). In this way if your device falls into bad cells it would be resetted (only radio, not phone) until registed to good cells...
Only an idea....
Dani

If you can determine the direction of the "bad" towers, try lining your walls with lead sheets to block their signals and letting you connect to a prefered tower.

Related

TyTN dropping calls in a middle

Hi guys,
Can anyone help me... I have bought the TyTN just two days ago and since then I've been struggling with a very bad phone calls quality. I haven't been able to finish properly any single call since all of them are dropped in a middle. It looks like the phone is loosing reception whereas I know for a fact that there is a very strong signal in the location I am.
I've upgraded the software today but the problem still occurs. Do you know if this is a known issue or just this particular phone is broken?
rgnutek said:
Hi guys,
Can anyone help me... I have bought the TyTN just two days ago and since then I've been struggling with a very bad phone calls quality. I haven't been able to finish properly any single call since all of them are dropped in a middle. It looks like the phone is loosing reception whereas I know for a fact that there is a very strong signal in the location I am.
I've upgraded the software today but the problem still occurs. Do you know if this is a known issue or just this particular phone is broken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well seeing as you've upgraded the Radio and seeing as your case is quite extreme ie losing calls completely I think i'd try testing it using GSM only. Some folks have reported that if you are in an area where 3g is around but perhaps not always the strongest signal then the phone will swap around from GSM to UMTS. So you can try:
Start>Settings>Personal>Phone icon>Band
in top drop down box select GSM
in second drop down box select the GSM band for your area (if unknown try each until you get the working one)
IF this makes reception better/constant then you have the swapping bands issue and you can leave GSM selected and turn on UMTS when you are in a stronger 3G area.
If this makes no difference return the settings to auto for the drop down boxes.
If the above fails then have you got a new 3G SIM older cards can give problems.
An application that assists with setting certain bands only is Bandswitch or Commmgrpro - Here's an early version:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-commmgrpro-0-9-0-28.html
Mike
Thanks Mike for your reply.
Actually I did play with those settings a little bit but it didn't help. I'll go to the shop where I bought the phone and ask for help. Thanks for your attention.
RG
You know of any apps or way to get a shortcut onto the today screen to quickly switch between 3g and edge? Where I work is good 3g coverage, but where I live is right on the cusp of the connection ... so I find unless I turn off the "auto select" and manually choose GSM, I have dropped call problems. Would be great to be able to do this without having to go to phone settings each time.
Weinson,
Searching for BandSwitch by Daniel Herrero on this forum will reveal just such a tool. BandSwitch sits in your WM5 task tray and has the option to switch to GSM or UTMS or Auto with some time delays (before switching back) build in.
see - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=286844

Xperia Issues and Thoughts

I've had the US version for a few days now and figured I would share my experience thus far. This is not a definitive list. I ordered through sonystyle.com and am operating on T-mobile in the US.
The good:
1. Phone build is spectacular.
2. Screen resolution is the best I've ever seen.
3. Wifi picks up and logs on quicker than any phone I've had.
4. Touch-flo cabs can be added very easily. Can mix and match the two GUI's.
The bad:
1. Internet and regular calling access is sporadic. I need to perform a soft reset every few hours or nothing works.
2. A fully charged battery will be used up by evening if push email is auto and have moderate phone use.
3. The phone doesn't seem to be able to switch towers in the middle of a phone call. The calls are dropped and you have to call the person back.
Overall, the phone is really incredible and it's being hampered by OS build or something. If the phone didn't have the potential that it does, I would send it back. I figure I'll be patient and wait for the dev team to patch or cook something. I've used the HTC Touch Pro (Fuze) and the Xperia is definitely more sexy and has a better build and keyboard (personal opinion). It will be interesting to see if any others have the same issues and if it's associated with T-mobile US only.
cooool you have the X1a? Do you mind dumping your ROMs please?
Lurchy24 said:
1. Internet and regular calling access is sporadic. I need to perform a soft reset every few hours or nothing works.
2. A fully charged battery will be used up by evening if push email is auto and have moderate phone use.
3. The phone doesn't seem to be able to switch towers in the middle of a phone call. The calls are dropped and you have to call the person back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
none present on my X1i. For the battery, just wait, is still new... use it for 5/6 cycles and should be better. Also no issue for internet/calling and don't understand what you mean about towers...
Lurchy24 said:
The bad:
1. Internet and regular calling access is sporadic. I need to perform a soft reset every few hours or nothing works.
2. A fully charged battery will be used up by evening if push email is auto and have moderate phone use.
3. The phone doesn't seem to be able to switch towers in the middle of a phone call. The calls are dropped and you have to call the person back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1°) The BT and wifi are bugged. The BT disconnects sometimes (already told in other threads) and the wifi passwords are sometimes just lost.
But on 3G/GPRS/UMTS no problem and no need to perform soft reset.
2°) ouah, perhaps you have a problem there... I have (in France) a software that retrieves the mails (every 15 minutes) with a specific data connection.
This with some Wifi on, UMTS on and some calls, my X1i makes a lot more than a single day.
Did you install something that is draining the battery?
3°) weird, I live in a place where 3G signal is low, and I definitly swap from "2G" to "3G" without a hitch, even while a phone call.
Lurchy24 said:
The bad:
1. Internet and regular calling access is sporadic. I need to perform a soft reset every few hours or nothing works.
2. A fully charged battery will be used up by evening if push email is auto and have moderate phone use.
3. The phone doesn't seem to be able to switch towers in the middle of a phone call. The calls are dropped and you have to call the person back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not had any problem with #1 and #2, and I'm also on pushmail mode. By the evening, I would still have 50-60% depending on the activities I carry out with my Xperia during the day time (obviously lesser if I do alot of video playback, etc)
for #3, I doubt any phone would be able to switch tower w/o dropping the call. It's the case for any GSM phone, and I could prove that since I got a UMTS access point (equivalent of the tower except that this is a "personal" one ) at home, and once I walked out of the coverage zone, the call will drop regardless of which phone I hold.
By towers, I think he means cell towers, i.e when he is in the range of one tower, lets say while driving, then leaves that tower's range and goes oto another tower, it doesnt switch, it just drops the call.
Rory
Yep, I know where the points are on my drive when the range of one tower ends and the other begins. My previous phones could all make the transition without issue. My Xperia definitely can not. 25 minute drive = 3 towers and 2 dropped calls.
Had to soft reset twice this morning before I could get a call to go through. The phone says connecting and then connected but nothing comes through. Real pain in the butt.
Perhaps I have a defective model? Anyone else using X1a on T-mobile in US. I would like to know if it's a ROM issue that can be fixed or somehow the phone isn't compatible with T-mo US....
Lurchy24 said:
Yep, I know where the points are on my drive when the range of one tower ends and the other begins. My previous phones could all make the transition without issue. My Xperia definitely can not. 25 minute drive = 3 towers and 2 dropped calls.
Had to soft reset twice this morning before I could get a call to go through. The phone says connecting and then connected but nothing comes through. Real pain in the butt.
Perhaps I have a defective model? Anyone else using X1a on T-mobile in US. I would like to know if it's a ROM issue that can be fixed or somehow the phone isn't compatible with T-mo US....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if the ril file jack posted would help?
What is that file and where can I find it? Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a shot.
rorydaredkign said:
By towers, I think he means cell towers, i.e when he is in the range of one tower, lets say while driving, then leaves that tower's range and goes oto another tower, it doesnt switch, it just drops the call.
Rory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes I know he's refering to the cell towers.
I do have a home version of cell tower at home too. It doesn't switch and it happens for all the phones.
zenkinz said:
for #3, I doubt any phone would be able to switch tower w/o dropping the call. It's the case for any GSM phone, and I could prove that since I got a UMTS access point (equivalent of the tower except that this is a "personal" one ) at home, and once I walked out of the coverage zone, the call will drop regardless of which phone I hold.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but you are talking crap. The whole point of the GSM standard is to get phones to carry on talking as you move location. I suggest you read about Handover (or Handoff). The Wiki page isn't the best I've seen, but it does try to explain it.
artesea said:
Sorry but you are talking crap. The whole point of the GSM standard is to get phones to carry on talking as you move location. I suggest you read about Handover (or Handoff). The Wiki page isn't the best I've seen, but it does try to explain it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok I stand corrected. my apologises.
I just noticed that my phone (and my wife's phone) cuts off once I move out of my home umts access point, so I assume its the same for all the cell towers. (on hindset, mine being be a scaled down cell tower so I shouldn't be using that to prove commercial one )
That said, in reading further, do you know if soft or hard handoff is generally implemented in CDMA network? I suspect it's the latter, and that probably explains why you have dropped call due to inability to switch to the new channel fast enough?
zenkinz said:
ok I stand corrected. my apologises.
I just noticed that my phone (and my wife's phone) cuts off once I move out of my home umts access point, so I assume its the same for all the cell towers. (on hindset, mine being be a scaled down cell tower so I shouldn't be using that to prove commercial one )
That said, in reading further, do you know if soft or hard handoff is generally implemented in CDMA network? I suspect it's the latter, and that probably explains why you have dropped call due to inability to switch to the new channel fast enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt your home-hosted access point would be allowed to perform a handover with public cell tower, that's why it cuts off. It's like trying to move from one WLAN SSID to another. If you read more about handover, you'll notice that it includes a lot of security measure also. If handovering and handovered base stations are under different controller(RNC), all encryption information has to be passed from old controller to the new one, etc...
Yes, The point of GSM is that it 'hands off' the call as you pass by different cells automatically, so no dropped calls.
In fact, this is ONE reason they do not want people to use mobile phones on aeroplanes, is that since you would be on top of many towers/cells at one time, then they would be constantly changing/swapping among cells, and if there were a lot of people doing that, the chatter between the cells would be very great and overload them. Thats why they want to set up a cell on the plane itself, so that all the mobile phones talk to that cell only (as the strongest signal).
It has nothing to do with interference to the plane systems. If that was the case, it would be so easy for a terrorist to crash a plane, just bring on a radio transmitter and everyone dies.
Yes, it's the handoff that can't happen.
Othertimes, when I'm sitting in one place, I'll have 3 bars and the signal will suddenly disappear. The phone will take 15 seconds to reaquire and then it will be fine. Usually seems to happen when someone tries to call me. It's almost like the phone hasn't maintained a connection. Very annoying.

Tx signal weakness

I am experiencing a very strange problem, and I really hope to solve it otherwise I will have to use my blackstone just as a PDA...
Something like one week ago I have experienced huge problems to catch network, I was at my home where there are always problems as it is located on the border between Luxembourg and Germany, several networks are available and no one is really ok.. however in the past expecially after radio 1.13 all was more or less solved but after "that" moment it was extremely difficult to connect, even with the "manual"option while in the past it was always ok and even if connected with signal at a good strenght it was impossible to make any call or connect to data network.
At that moment, I had Topix 2.6 with radio 1.13 - I have tried to reinstall the image, I have changed to Topix 2.7, then to Dutty 3.5, radio 1.14, back to 1.13... hard reset several times... no way to solve and symptoms are exactly the same.
At least I have identified the problem in transmission: reception is ok, phone can "see" networks but as I try to connect he cannot negotiate, when signal is stonger all works fine, and when it start to become weaker (for instance entering into a garage) I can still hear perfectly but people cannot hear me... assaid also even if I see a decent signal I cannot make any call, I can receive but when I try to answer I cannot say anything (I hear people but they cannot hear me at all)
So my question is:is there any "bios-like" settings that may influence the transmission power or I have to pre-pension my beloved blackstone... ?
All the rest works just perfectly...
Thanks for your he
Eventually does someone know if the tx and rx antennas are the same? Just to see if eventually it can be an internal damage to teh tx antenna...
Thanks for any help!
I hope you will forgive me for an up...
I had to put Blackstone in a drawer, it is impossible to use it unless the coverage is perfect...
seems you have a motherboard problem, what is your SN? 845 have gsm chipset
stefanolux said:
I hope you will forgive me for an up...
I had to put Blackstone in a drawer, it is impossible to use it unless the coverage is perfect...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is absolutely normal if you are in low reception area. The phone (2W EIRP max) can not compare with the TX power of a base station (~1000W EIRP), so if there is a problem with the reception you shoud still be able to 'hear' the base station but the base station may have trouble 'hearing' you. It is not neccessary to have sepparate antennas for TX and RX, so it is safe to assume that the blackstone's antenna is the same, so the problem is not with your antenna. Still, you may try to see the RX level on your phone using the fieldtest application (search in XDA). Be sure to launch it during a call because the BTS is likely be configured to use the 1800 frequencies for calls (if available) and 900 mainly for signalling.
As for a tweak or application for boosting the TX power of the phone, I seriously doubt that there is one, because this is defined in the GSM standard and is controlled by the BTS, so the phone has little to say about it.
You can try to search for an application that forces the phone to identify itself as a 900 GSM only (unfortunately in the band setting there is no such option) and see if the problem is with the 900 -> 1800 'handover' when you make a call.
Of course you may try speaking to your operator's support and ask them to make some tests - like shutting down the 1800 frequencies of your cell in the middle of the night and trying to make a call, but it is highly unlikely that they will be willing to do that. Or even demand that they install some kind of repeater to cover your area.
Thanks guys, really appreciated!
Unfortunately however the problems looks really like the phone became "weaker" as, in the same area" after this "something" was really ok, better than the Diamond especially with the last radio releases. Network is there, and if it is not, is because the phone cannot "negociate" correctly its login onto (I am in the border between Germany and Luxembourg and there are quite few network but especially T-mobile was always ok if connected manually).
When i manage to connect it stays ok, I can hear everybody but they hear me "broken:
as soon as I am at home i will check the serial- I really think I will have to take to the doctor, hoping that is recoverable (it should be in warranty however...to be checked)
Just make sure you flash the original ROM with which the device came, because there have been numerous cases when HTC blames everything on the custom ROM and refuses to repair the phone.

Poor/intermittent Signal - so far so good solution

There are a few thread's already on the site about signal problems with the X1 however many are quite old and I thought a specific one with a (so far so good) solution would be welcomed.
Many people have had problems with their signal being lost or being poor and there are posts on the Vodafone forums, here, as well as many other sites and many suggest they have contacted SE without much success. Mine got so bad I was ready to give up the phone and go to N97.
I had some advice from someone at a local friendly phone store about what may be the problem and he suggested (to stop me claiming on my insurance I'm sure) changing the connection settings so it only looks at GSM.....
.....I did this three days ago and since I have had no loss of signal and my signal strength has been better than ever.
To do this:
Start > settings > comm manager > settings > phone > band
Select your network type : GSM
Not sure of the significance of this change (from auto) but its worked wonders for me
Phone:
O2 UK, R3A, xperiatweak, mms changes, Dashwire, advanced config, spb galore
Good luck and I hope this works for you (let me know how it goes)
Found the same problem when I first received the phone, I too changed the band to GSM, mainly to save battery usage as 3G wasn't needed and noticed the signal is A LOT stronger...
Not noticed any downsides to disabling 3G either as my internet browsing is still very fast using Opera Mini.
maybe a stupid question: with 3g disabled, can the phone still lock in HSDPA?
i dont think so
in theory when its connected to 3g it should still have a gsm link as backup to switch to if there is a problem
still working
A week in now and the signal is still without problems and I've found the battery life of the phone is at its longest since I got the phone at the end of last year
In answer to other posts - I've remained connected to O2 UK Mobile WEb (GPRS, 3G) despite selecting GSM only
This is useful only if you don't need 3G or 3.5G... If your 3G coverage is ok, there is no trouble either... There is a huge change depending your operator and your location
i did this for a couple days and had to switch back. i've NEVER been able to connect to 3g (i have an X1i in america where the X1a is sold), but upon applying this change of setting i couldn't get HSDPA anymore and all my internet/data activities was like creeping death. i could only connect to Edge, which is practically unusable
asayamalaka said:
maybe a stupid question: with 3g disabled, can the phone still lock in HSDPA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope! but its going to use EDGE which is also pretty fast.u probably wont notice the difference on a smartphone anyway.
achmed20 said:
nope! but its going to use EDGE which is also pretty fast.u probably wont notice the difference on a smartphone anyway.
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Click to collapse
lol are you kidding? when i'm on edge i might as well be tapping morse code across two cans with a string between them. everytime i pull up google maps on edge i might as well pay a homeless guy to steal me map pages, it would take a lot less time..... HSDPA is the complete opposite for me, everything loads almost instantly

GPS Issue, only in some areas. GSM network dependent.

Bit of an odd one. Basically at home with the phone on my home network T-Mobile I simply can't get a GPS fix. This problem has only happened in the last couple of weeks previously its been fine, a fix within seconds.
As some of you may know T-Mobile and Orange in the UK have now enabled roaming between the 2 networks. If I force the phone to roam onto Orange I get a GPS fix with-in a minute. Switch the network back to T-Mobile back to no fix.
If I'm in a different area, network on T-Mobile, fix within seconds. I thought maybe it's quick GPS wrongly loading the wrong area because of an issue in the cell db, I've set quick GPS to never update and now the GPS appears to cold start although quick GPS still says the data it has is valid for x number of days.
I've tried defaulting the phone but exactly the same with defaults and using GPS Test rather than TomTom.
Does anyone have any ideas? Is anyone else having the same issue?
I just tried another test. I roamed onto Orange and got a GPS fix in TomTom, I then set my network back to T-Mobile and the GPS fix was lost! As I switched networks I left TomTom running in the background.
A bit more testing. If I force the phone onto 3G T-Mobile the GPS works fine. My theory is what ever frequency the cell here operates on (some 5 miles away in the 1800MHz band) must be causing the some issue with the hardware
I'm thinking that most people wouldn't be able to experiment to see this, I'm just lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it that I'm in a position where I can switch networks therefore changing frequency within the 1800MHz band and I can stay in the same place to test it. I've had in the past where the GPS would loose its fix for no reason and then just come back while travelling on a motorway I wonder if this was the same thing. Also the chances of someone owning a HD2 using the GPS and being on a cell who's frequency causes a problem is pretty small, and if your travelling you're likely to just think it's dropped for some reason, and oh yes it's back again now so think no more of it.
You are getting confused between GPS and GPRS.
GPS is the satellite system that you use to pinpoint your location (as with TomTom). If your phone is indoors or has a restricted view of the sky, then it cannot receive a signal.
GPRS is a data connection between your phone and the telecoms company. It is basically 2.5G, which way a intermediate step before 3G became set up.
fred_up said:
You are getting confused between GPS and GPRS.
GPS is the satellite system that you use to pinpoint your location (as with TomTom). If your phone is indoors or has a restricted view of the sky, then it cannot receive a signal.
GPRS is a data connection between your phone and the telecoms company. It is basically 2.5G, which way a intermediate step before 3G became set up.
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Click to collapse
No, completely understand the difference between GPRS and GPS
I've proven with out a doubt that when using the t-mobile cell serving our house (2g) there is no GPS signal. Use another network still 1800 and there is GPS, use 3g, or move to another area on t-mobile there is GPS.
GPS was working at home while on t-mobile upto a couple of weeks ago, I can only think that the cell has had some work done and has changed frequency.
twerki78 said:
No, completely understand the difference between GPRS and GPS
I've proven with out a doubt that when using the t-mobile cell serving our house (2g) there is no GPS signal. Use another network still 1800 and there is GPS, use 3g, or move to another area on t-mobile there is GPS.
GPS was working at home while on t-mobile upto a couple of weeks ago, I can only think that the cell has had some work done and has changed frequency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Silly question, but have you got AGPS activated? Because it can give you a rough location based upon the local cell transmitter info and any GPS satelite signals you may be recieving.
fred_up said:
Silly question, but have you got AGPS activated? Because it can give you a rough location based upon the local cell transmitter info and any GPS satellite signals you may be receiving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have AGPS disabled. I doubt my operator supports it. I have tried with QuickGPS disabled and enabled but makes no difference.
If I get a fix while on Orange, leave which ever GPS enabled application I have running, running in the background, force the phone back onto my home network (TMobile), go back to the GPS application there's no fix and no satellite signal being received not even a hint.
I've also tried with the SIM card removed and GPS performs perfectly!
Thank you, I thought I was going mad - my GPS has been working perfectly since I got the phone 6 months ago but in the last week has been dropping out or refusing to start at all.
I tried a hard reset, which fixed the problem until I started driving the next day - after a few minutes TomTom lost it's way. Using a bluetooth GPS proved the signal was good, so I was coming around to the idea that the phone was broken...
I have also now read other users that have had GPS problems when roaming, although usually when switching between countries.
Looking on the T-Mobile website about the orange roaming issue it say 'there might be a few quirky side-effects' but I haven't even signed up for the Orange roaming option, sounds like T-Mobile has changed something for everyone?
I have read that fixing the network choice to manual, not auto, can help with GPS issues while roaming - I've yet to test this.
boomboomer said:
Thank you, I thought I was going mad - my GPS has been working perfectly since I got the phone 6 months ago but in the last week has been dropping out or refusing to start at all.
I tried a hard reset, which fixed the problem until I started driving the next day - after a few minutes TomTom lost it's way. Using a bluetooth GPS proved the signal was good, so I was coming around to the idea that the phone was broken...
I have also now read other users that have had GPS problems when roaming, although usually when switching between countries.
Looking on the T-Mobile website about the orange roaming issue it say 'there might be a few quirky side-effects' but I haven't even signed up for the Orange roaming option, sounds like T-Mobile has changed something for everyone?
I have read that fixing the network choice to manual, not auto, can help with GPS issues while roaming - I've yet to test this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the issue for a couple of weeks I would say. Certainly last weekend I couldn't get a fix for ages when I set off and it wasn't until I was a way away from home that the GPS got a fix. This was before the roaming got switch on, of course it doesn't mean they were not doing something with the cell/network.
I too can get a perfect fix with external GPS or with a GPS nav system, or by changing networks! I've also tried another SIM card in the phone, again T-Mobile and get the same results.
I've attached some screen shots.
1st T-mobile no satellites, you'll notice that there isn't so much of hint of signal.
2nd Changing network.
3rd T-Mobile Orange and GPS fix.
All screen shots were taken with the phone in the same place.
Just come back from a drive just to test the GPS. Basically driven 30 miles away from home fixing the phone to T-Mobile and 2G and the only time I got a GPS fix was when the phone lost signal.
Parked in a layby and switched over to orange and got a fix with in a few seconds! Just can't figure out what the connection with being on T-mobile 2g is!
What Radio version is your phone using?
fred_up said:
What Radio version is your phone using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have the same issue with various official T-Mobile ROMs.
I had a play with updating my AGPS settings last night using the Google settings from this thread: http://ip208-100-42-21.static.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544421 when working on Orange couldn't notice any difference, with T-Mobile still not GPS fix.
I left the GPS running over night on T-Mobile, admittedly indoors but somewhere I know I get a fix, there was still no fix 7 hours later.
I live in a rural village covered only by one cell mast. GPS starts and runs fine at home with or without the phone turned on. if I walk over the other side of the hill, different cell mast, the GPS drops out immediately - I can't test if 3G fixes the problem as it doesn't work here. Once the GPS has stopped I can't get it to start again, even switching the phone off to airplane mode doesn't help. Only a soft reset, with the phone still in airplane mode will allow the GPS to start.
Switching the phone back on and the GPS drops, however walking back over the hill to home - back to my original cell mast and the GPS starts again.
I'm pretty sure t-mobile have rolled out a change to their 2G system, but not to all masts? rural ones maybe last done hence why my home cell still works.
How to proceed from here? T-Mobile are kind of hard to talk to.....
One thing I did notice was in Memory Map the satellite view normally flicks across satellite numbers until it finds a signal, if the T-Mobile problem occurs this process stops and it would appear to have frozen the service?
I take back the hard to talk to part of my last post, I emailed support from the website and they phoned me back within 2 hours!
As to be expected they couldn't give any instant answers but I gave this thread as a reference and the problem is to be escalated.
The call centerthen phoned me back and asked if I was happy, also to offer me 30 minutes free calls for next 3 months - very nice thank you.
Good work boomboomer. Hopefully T-mobile will find something. I'd like to know what they find, still can't understand the connection between a GSM network and GPS though. I haven't tried a controlled test with flight mode but will try that later. Out of interest what part of the country are you in? maybe it's just a pocket of cells that are affective? I'm in the BA8 postcode area.
The problem certainly only affects 2G, 3G is fine.
I'm out of the country this week but fingers crossed T-Mobile will find the problem. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with a problem.
I'm quite a distance away, DT2 here.
I've been asked to test the GPS over the next few days and keep a log of when and where it doesn't work, they said their network people will ring me soon.
At least this fault is 'interesting' in the words of their technical support guy, he'd never heard of anything like it, so there's hope they will give it some time.
On the plus side they've also given me a free month of internet, so I can't fault their customer support focus.
Incidentally, do you have SPB shell installed? This was the only change I'd made on my phone at the time this problem started.
boomboomer said:
I'm quite a distance away, DT2 here.
I've been asked to test the GPS over the next few days and keep a log of when and where it doesn't work, they said their network people will ring me soon.
At least this fault is 'interesting' in the words of their technical support guy, he'd never heard of anything like it, so there's hope they will give it some time.
On the plus side they've also given me a free month of internet, so I can't fault their customer support focus.
Incidentally, do you have SPB shell installed? This was the only change I'd made on my phone at the time this problem started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't get chance to do any testing today at Heathrow as ended up being a bit rushed. I wouldn't say your not a million miles away. 22miles ish, the Cell that covers our home is in Dorset which is pretty useless when you have to call 999 because you get connected to Dorset who then can't pass you to Somerset and you end up being in a situation where you have no way of contacting Somerset 999 not great in this day and age! But I'm not going to get started on that one on this topic.
It's quite possible its a regional problem.
No I haven't installed SPB shell, I have tried it with a defaulted phone but still had the same problem.
I'm out the country now until Friday, but will do some testing when I return on my return journey. I'll fix the phone to 2g T-mobile and keep an eye on where the GPS drops out.
Oh dear, just got a call from T-Mobile technical networks - they don't support GPS as part of their service and won't be spending any time on the problem, case closed. They did say the problem seems to be with HTC devices only, blackberrys are not effected so it sounds like they have heard of the issue eleswhere?
Looks like it's a network switch required to solve the problem, shame that as I've been with T-Mobile for over 7 years.
boomboomer said:
Oh dear, just got a call from T-Mobile technical networks - they don't support GPS as part of their service and won't be spending any time on the problem, case closed. They did say the problem seems to be with HTC devices only, blackberrys are not effected so it sounds like they have heard of the issue eleswhere?
Looks like it's a network switch required to solve the problem, shame that as I've been with T-Mobile for over 7 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, T-Mobile sold me the phone for use on their network, the phone is sold with a GPS, that now doesn't work on their network surely they need to spend sometime working with HTC to resolve the problem.
I do have a case open with HTC under the ref 10gbc410001235 they were supposed to be taking it up with tier 2 but as yet I've not heard anything back. I'll have to follow it up when I'm back in the UK. It might be worth you also logging a fault with HTC quoting my ref. at least if 2 people call in with the same problem they may start to think it's not just one crazy with the issue!
My other half has a HTC Desire, I haven't checked the GPS on her phone. Not sure if they use the same chipset, of course one is WM the other android. I wonder if its a problem for all HTC phones or just the HD2?

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