Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has used an aGPS phone to get a lock on the GPS satellites when OUTSIDE your coverage area.
Basically, I'm going to Antarctica and I want to use the GPS feature on my phone to record data but Verizon does not have coverage down there. I'm guessing that GPS will work, but without coverage, getting a lock will take longer.
Thanks.
ke5in said:
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has used an aGPS phone to get a lock on the GPS satellites when OUTSIDE your coverage area.
Basically, I'm going to Antarctica and I want to use the GPS feature on my phone to record data but Verizon does not have coverage down there. I'm guessing that GPS will work, but without coverage, getting a lock will take longer.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Depending on the amount of 'clear sky', it might take some minutes yes. But I guess the cold will be much more disturbing your machine : they're just not made to survive in xtreem sites....
Dirk
does Antarctica have a commercial gsm network at all?
If you are using it for getting directions from non-internet maps, or not getting lost, I would highly recommend getting a stand alone GPS unit.
I would hate to see you lost because it didn't work as expected. Not too many Best Buys to buy one down there too
Related
I've created an Android (for now - maybe other platforms in the future) application called Coverage Mapper (http://www.coveragemapper.com), available in the Market. It logs signal strength data while you're moving around, uploads it to my server, and generates maps.
It started in the WIND Mobile on hofo, because WIND is a new cell carrier, so their coverage isn't as broad or consistent as carriers that have been around for decades.
Take a look at the website and the maps, and if you want to try it out, download the app and turn it on the next time you go driving around.
Also, it only works for GSM-based phones for now.
Keep in mind, it's still what I would consider a beta application, but I think most of the serious issues have been eliminated.
There are several similar apps out there, none of them particularly fit into the same niche... This is pretty cool sounding though, I will run it.
As with most apps I assume that one needs to be on 2G for it to reliably work? I still don't understand this limitation, as I used several cell tracking programs in Windows Mobile on 3G, but 2-3 similar things in Android read weird data if on 3G.
I haven't used it yet, but is there any tracking of cell tower locations and estimations of those tower locations based on signal and GPS location? Ideally as it gets more data, the estimation is updated. I ask because there's a tower near my wifes old workplace that has eluded me and it drives me nuts not knowing where the thing is. Otherwise I know where all of the towers are in town from previous mapping, but back to your app would be interesting to see the actual coverage.
EDIT: So far in the maps I only see "road coverage", no interpolation of area coverage. And the terms? Tsk..
khaytsus said:
There are several similar apps out there, none of them particularly fit into the same niche... This is pretty cool sounding though, I will run it.
As with most apps I assume that one needs to be on 2G for it to reliably work? I still don't understand this limitation, as I used several cell tracking programs in Windows Mobile on 3G, but 2-3 similar things in Android read weird data if on 3G.
I haven't used it yet, but is there any tracking of cell tower locations and estimations of those tower locations based on signal and GPS location? Ideally as it gets more data, the estimation is updated. I ask because there's a tower near my wifes old workplace that has eluded me and it drives me nuts not knowing where the thing is. Otherwise I know where all of the towers are in town from previous mapping, but back to your app would be interesting to see the actual coverage.
EDIT: So far in the maps I only see "road coverage", no interpolation of area coverage. And the terms? Tsk..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works fine for me on 2G and 3G. I don't know why something wouldn't work on 3G.
I am logging the cell's LAC and Cell ID, but I'm not doing anything with the data yet.
For now, all you'll see are the paths people have travelled. The data is all accurate (i.e. no interpolation). I could probably add another layer to guess actual coverage, but one of the purposes of this app was to show carriers where dead spots are. There are definitely areas with a bad signal where a few hundred metres in all directions, you have a great signal. I don't want to interpolate a good signal in spots like that
Related to your tower issue, however, can you not get a list from the FCC? I know in Canada, all that data is public, and updated monthly, allowing things like http://www.candiancow.com/wind
Wow what an awesome Idea! Great way for us to get really accurate coverage maps! Thanks!
If you would consider making it store the data offline and sync it when in wifi range I'd probably install it.
I do not have a dataplan, so 2G/3G would be a bit too costly
minus30 said:
If you would consider making it store the data offline and sync it when in wifi range I'd probably install it.
I do not have a dataplan, so 2G/3G would be a bit too costly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does do that...
Does anyone use this now? Its been a year now.
I just found this app now (Late to the party) but have already started running it.
Only question i have is I am on Virgin mobile and not sure if my data will appear properly on the map (runs off Sprint Network)
ja5219 said:
Does anyone use this now? Its been a year now.
I just found this app now (Late to the party) but have already started running it.
Only question i have is I am on Virgin mobile and not sure if my data will appear properly on the map (runs off Sprint Network)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also replied to your email, but for the benefit of everyone else:
CDMA devices are notoriously bad at reporting their network ID. About half do it, and half don't. There are a bunch of hard-coded conversions to get it working for some devices/networks, but I'll try to get it working for yours later this week.
I got the phone on day one. The first thing I noticed as I looked at the phone as I walked out the door to my car was the 4g icon. Yay, I am on 4g! Wait, where did the icon go? It's pretty much been that way since I have had it. I keep it on Wifi at home. To put it on 4g, pretty much kills having a MOBILE smartphone. Data is the lifeblood of a smartphone and if it is not there, what's the point.
I have tried every single fix read here (and other forums). Including:
Rev A fix
Hard Reset
Pulling Battery and Sim card and placing back in
I have tried everything but take the phone back and complaining (rooted it).
Per the Verizon coverage map, I am (my house) in a 4g area. On the map, they ask for your address and it say's "I am covered" for 4g. I will note there are a few pockets on the map near my home that is 4g extended. I had been thinking it's just my area. As I would drive around, it would seem to lock onto 4g. But lately, no matter where I go, 4g goes in and out.
When the 4g goes in and out, it is killing all data. It's not like it quickly finds the 3g and resumes data transfer, it just stops. Goes to 1x after a while mostley.
So where I am at right now is that I have forced 3g (using Phone Info app) and now can get reliable mobile data.
Should I be patience with the network and wait it out or should I take this back and ***** (possibly being the device itself)? When does one suppose a possible software fix will be put out for the Thunderbolt?
Hey Man,
I read your post and I am a little confused. In summary is your issue that you dont have great 4G coverage by your house and 3G isnt picking up when 4g drops off?
If thats the case I know you said you tried the Rev A fix but just to double check did you:
Use the ##778# menu (hit call after ##778#)-->password is 000000-->modem settings-->Rev A-->choose enable-->hit the menu button on the tbolt and commit changes
Also have you had verizon try to swap out your sim card and/or called them up and made sure your current sim card is provisioned correctly? If both of these are the case and you tried all the other standard stuff I would go get the phone swapped out for another new device before your time runs out. I had the same problem and the Rev A fix did it for me.
jvward
What city are you in?
psufan5 said:
What city are you in?
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Cincinnati area. Northern suburb. Close to towers and major highways.
Maybe return it and get a new TB?
I didn't have 4G in my home although Verizon's little "insert address" said I would. When I called, however, they said that I was on the border and it's a tough call for now.
When I started driving around to different areas, however, it picked up 4G signal just fine. When driving back into a 3G area it switched with no issue.
psufan5 said:
What city are you in?
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Click to collapse
And thats the right question to ask.
My 4G, in Los Angeles, is amazing. But Verizon is just starting to get 4G up and running in many cities right now, cant expect to have great coverage for many more months.
jvward said:
Hey Man,
I read your post and I am a little confused. In summary is your issue that you dont have great 4G coverage by your house and 3G isnt picking up when 4g drops off?
jvward
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the 4g drops, data stops. No icon. Sometimes 3g shows up. Mostly 1x. Lately, nothing. No icon, no data.
jawa5636 said:
Cincinnati area. Northern suburb. Close to towers and major highways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in northern Cincinnati too. Contact me before you do anything.
Hey, I have had problems too. I work in the Tri-county area and have GREAT 4G coverage. If you look at the 4G map I am right on the cusp (Maineville) of coverage. In my house, it will rotate between 4g/3g/1x constantly. I downloaded the "LTE OnOFF" app from TeamAndIRC and will toggle 3G only when I'm at home. For some reason I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS even though I'm using wi-fi 100%. When I get to work I toggle to 4G. Doing this, my battery life is exceptional. Before I figured it out I was draining my battery overnight every night. I don't know why the wi-fi requires that 3G only be on but it works.
Almost, but hanging on by a thread....
I am new to Verizon and I picked this up the day after launch. My two weeks are up. I am not in the 4G area (home), but spend most of my waking moment in a 4G area (work). While the phone itself doesn't have a hard time switching between networks on the handheld (I've watched it go from 3 to 4G while driving, I can almost pinpoint the switching area), it does have a hard time when in WiFi Hotspot Mode.
Here's what I mean. I'll be on wireless tether in a 4G zone and then without notice, the phone reports (via Hotspot App) that there is no mobile network ready and there is no data connection icon on the top menu bar. My Xoom is much more reliable on maintaining a connection (3G of course).
This is my only complaint about the 4G network, but it's a small one. The handheld itself is wonderful. I'm keeping both for now.
Check out my speed test on WiFi tether.
Verizon confirmed on the phone with me that there is in fact a bug in HTCs software switching from 4G to 3G when coverage drops. It should be fixed... In the mean time make sure you are using an app from the market to switch to 3G only unless you need 4G.
Other than that, just return it and wait for something else.
ridobe said:
I'm in northern Cincinnati too. Contact me before you do anything.
Hey, I have had problems too. I work in the Tri-county area and have GREAT 4G coverage. If you look at the 4G map I am right on the cusp (Maineville) of coverage. In my house, it will rotate between 4g/3g/1x constantly. I downloaded the "LTE OnOFF" app from TeamAndIRC and will toggle 3G only when I'm at home. For some reason I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS even though I'm using wi-fi 100%. When I get to work I toggle to 4G. Doing this, my battery life is exceptional. Before I figured it out I was draining my battery overnight every night. I don't know why the wi-fi requires that 3G only be on but it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL. I live straight down 747 in Liberty Twp. (few miles up from Beckett Ridge). Driving around would get me a better connection (4g) at first but lately, as I drive around, it's all over the board. Most the time there is no data icon. I have another app (Phone Info) that has a toggle.
It gets frustrating in that I don't know if the issue is the phone, network or both. Hard to troubleshoot. I suppose I should mosey on down to the mall for anything and see what kind of 4g I get.
I am in almost the same situation as the OP, I have 4G everywhere but my home which I have confirmed with VZW is in a 4G coverage area, not an extended coverage area either. I have narrowed it down to my street exactly. Right after I turn down imy street I lose 4G.
I then once I am home and no I don't mean indoors just at my house I frequently go between nothing, 1x, and 3G(Very Weak) with sporadic data. Will not get 4G back unless I drive around. This is my second device, and second trouble ticket with VZW this time giving more detailed information.
I have also tried every possible solution but unfortunately switching to Rev. A is not a "solution" for me as I am in a 4G area and if I wanted 3G I probably would have just kept my Droid X.
I sure hope this bug if it is one in the software will be fixed with an update or VZW can sort it out if it is my network.
ridobe said:
I'm in northern Cincinnati too. Contact me before you do anything.
Hey, I have had problems too. I work in the Tri-county area and have GREAT 4G coverage. If you look at the 4G map I am right on the cusp (Maineville) of coverage. In my house, it will rotate between 4g/3g/1x constantly. I downloaded the "LTE OnOFF" app from TeamAndIRC and will toggle 3G only when I'm at home. For some reason I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS even though I'm using wi-fi 100%. When I get to work I toggle to 4G. Doing this, my battery life is exceptional. Before I figured it out I was draining my battery overnight every night. I don't know why the wi-fi requires that 3G only be on but it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update:
Per my experience yesterday, if you are within the 275 loop, you are golden. Once I hit West Chester/Beckett Ridge, LTE started dropping. At my house, it is almost non-existent.
Government report finds LightSquared's LTE interferes with GPS -- color us surprised
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/government-report-finds-lightsquareds-lte-interferes-with-gps/
you could link to actual relevant sources (listed with the link) and not engadget. they dont even report news, they just index index and write a short paragraph. I hate giving them traffic since they dont really do much.
Huh, who would have thunk it. Will there be a "patch" the the network now?
Actually my professor for my electromagnetics class was hired to fix this issue directly, and left after this semester to go work on it. He spoke a little about it but basically there will be a "shield" put up around the towers when they recognize GPS signals and sort of "saturate" the LTE signal to prevent gps drops, a sort of automatic interference detector.
However the radius for the gps issues is rather small, and not a problem for most yet. Also the reason for this is because Lightsquared uses frequencies that are directly next to the same frequencies used for GPS.
All in all, don't sweat it, its already being fixed, and if you knew my professor, it will work in the end He taught me everything I know about anything that travels through the air.
I hope he fixes the problem--I get lost a lot so GPS is a must have!
I was under the impression that LightSquared beamed the signal from space and that is why it interferes with GPS.... Verizon LTE does not work like LightSquared....
awwilson21 said:
I was under the impression that LightSquared beamed the signal from space and that is why it interferes with GPS.... Verizon LTE does not work like LightSquared....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, Verizon doesn't use LightSquared's LTE tech. In fact, nobody does yet. This thread is completely irrelevant.
HI
arunningpir8 said:
Actually my professor for my electromagnetics class was hired to fix this issue directly, and left after this semester to go work on it. He spoke a little about it but basically there will be a "shield" put up around the towers when they recognize GPS signals and sort of "saturate" the LTE signal to prevent gps drops, a sort of automatic interference detector.
However the radius for the gps issues is rather small, and not a problem for most yet. Also the reason for this is because Lightsquared uses frequencies that are directly next to the same frequencies used for GPS.
All in all, don't sweat it, its already being fixed, and if you knew my professor, it will work in the end He taught me everything I know about anything that travels through the air.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill be happier if the find a magnetic monopole...classical electrodynamics just begs for that missing symmetry.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
awwilson21 said:
I was under the impression that LightSquared beamed the signal from space and that is why it interferes with GPS.... Verizon LTE does not work like LightSquared....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem will be with the ground stations they want to install (if and when). The aviation community is just as concerned. See this link for more details: http://www.flyingmag.com/news/new-report-intensifies-lightsquared-vs-gps-fight
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/04/lightsquared-broadband-a-threat-to-gps.ars
I'm in highschool, and I have absolutely no service in the school building. That's because the buildings made that way
However, when I take the bus home, I get no signal whatsoever. Even when I'm outside. But when I restart my phone, I starting getting like 3 or 4 bars of service. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Or perhaps KNOW the problem? I am running AirFluip's KJ6.1 AOSP ROM, and this problem has been annoying the hell outta me.
jcjackjay said:
I'm in highschool, and I have absolutely no service in the school building. That's because the buildings made that way
However, when I take the bus home, I get no signal whatsoever. Even when I'm outside. But when I restart my phone, I starting getting like 3 or 4 bars of service. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Or perhaps KNOW the problem? I am running AirFluip's KJ6.1 AOSP ROM, and this problem has been annoying the hell outta me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had this problem with almost every phone I have ever owned. after searching and not finding a signal alot of phones will switch over and only scan for a new signal on a far less frequent schedule. the easiest thing is to put your phone into airplane mode and then back and it will re scan for a signal(alot quicker than a reboot)
candler33w said:
I have had this problem with almost every phone I have ever owned. after searching and not finding a signal alot of phones will switch over and only scan for a new signal on a far less frequent schedule. the easiest thing is to put your phone into airplane mode and then back and it will re scan for a signal(alot quicker than a reboot)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the suggestion. will give it a try tmrw
It could be that your phone just doesnt have signal....
My school buildings are build to cut off signal for all carriers. Dont even know why...... But yea sometimes i get 1bar maybe 2 if im lucky... But, as soon as i step outside, i start getting bars.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
The reason why you don't have signal in your school is to prevent y'all from Using your phones during school. At least that would be my best guess. The fact that y'all are allowed to have them in a school opens up the ability to cheat during testing, excessive texting, etc.. So schools have implemented measures to prevent that.
jpsheridan said:
The reason why you don't have signal in your school is to prevent y'all from Using your phones during school. At least that would be my best guess. The fact that y'all are allowed to have them in a school opens up the ability to cheat during testing, excessive texting, etc.. So schools have implemented measures to prevent that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest its about time. There is no place in school for cell phones. Should go back to the days of getting caught with one and it is gone for good.
It could just be the ****ty AWS bands tmo uses...
1700/2100Mhz bands... the higher the frequency the crappier the penetration.
Meaning all the brick and concrete they used to construct your school manages to destroy your reception.
Whereas Verizon uses much lower frequencies (Something like 750 or 850 if I remember correctly)
tehgyb said:
It could just be the ****ty AWS bands tmo uses...
1700/2100Mhz bands... the higher the frequency the crappier the penetration.
Meaning all the brick and concrete they used to construct your school manages to destroy your reception.
Whereas Verizon uses much lower frequencies (Something like 750 or 850 if I remember correctly)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that's why my friend always gets 4G in skool and i get 2 bars of edge.
-Sent From My Amazing Galaxy S 4G-
Hello all and thank you for reading.
I have a friend who uses US Cellular and they have free data roaming. I called T-Mobile and they said I would be charged if I turned roaming on. However when I'm traveling I constantly have data issues. T-Mobile doesn't have the best of coverage when you start leaving the big cities.
I was wondering if there was a way to trick the phone into roaming without being noticed? Doesn't seem possible due to the fact that data is being pulled from a certain tower and that could be tracked outside of the phone. However I thought maybe this has been attempted?
What are your guys thoughts?
Best Regards