Wifi Signal Strength - T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide

Why is it that the wifi signal strength is better on my laptop than on my phone?
I have noticed this for nearly every device I have owned. The laptop will always seem to catch a better signal than the phone, even though they are both in the same position, same network, etc.
Is there anything I can do to boost the signal range of my phone?
(no I'm not sticking an antenna on it)

Interesting - I notice the complete reverse. My doubleshot has stronger signal to my wifi router and for a longer distance (of about 5 feet in my driveway) then my laptop.
Sent from a digital distance.

Blue6IX said:
Interesting - I notice the complete reverse. My doubleshot has stronger signal to my wifi router and for a longer distance (of about 5 feet in my driveway) then my laptop.
Sent from a digital distance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of all the different phones I have owned, NONE have been able to catch wifi signals as good as my laptop
As I speak right now, I am connected to the same network with both devices. Laptop shows a good signal, while the phone is showing a poor signal, and even disconnects at times.

Interesting. I guess logic might wanna tell me that a laptop would have a larger/more powerful radio chip, or whatever it is that receives the signal... and that has basically been my experience, my laptop can stray further away from the router. But perhaps it depends on your hardware?

gtmaster303 said:
Out of all the different phones I have owned, NONE have been able to catch wifi signals as good as my laptop
As I speak right now, I am connected to the same network with both devices. Laptop shows a good signal, while the phone is showing a poor signal, and even disconnects at times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this has been the case from my G1 all the way til the DS.
yogi2010 said:
Interesting. I guess logic might wanna tell me that a laptop would have a larger/more powerful radio chip, or whatever it is that receives the signal...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to think the same. That has been my thinking since I started brainstorming ideas about this. It would be interesting to see a answer with facts tho. :thumbup:
Typed by ---- oh wait! I'm schizophrenic!

Well, my laptop is about 2 years old and beat up, compiling kernels is killing it.
I wouldn't be surprised if the wifi chip suffered some damage from how many times its overheat and shut off.
Sent from a digital distance.

I have this same problem, out of all my devices my Doubleshot is the worst at picking up a wifi signal. This includes two other low end Android phones, the Droid Eris, and the Huawei Ascend. On my Ascend I can pick up my neighbors wifi almost anywhere in my apartment, even better than my laptop, but on the Doubleshot I can not pick up the signal at all unless I am outside right next to my neighbors house. I wish there was a fix for this issue. Even at school where the wifi is very strong, I can only pick up a weak signal that disconnects from time to time on my Doubleshot, but my Ascend never had that problem, it always received the signal strong and clear.

Blue6IX said:
Well, my laptop is about 2 years old and beat up, compiling kernels is killing it.
I wouldn't be surprised if the wifi chip suffered some damage from how many times its overheat and shut off.
Sent from a digital distance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My laptop is nearly 4 years old. Runs a Centrino chipset. Maybe that explains the better signal it catches. Either way, I've never seen a phone outperform a laptop in signal strength

gtmaster303 said:
... Either way, I've never seen a phone outperform a laptop in signal strength
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol - you should come by my house. Sometimes (I posted it in a thread a few months ago around here somewhere) I use the doubleshot as a wifi bridge to my router to make up for the inadequacies of my laptop wifi abilities, or for my desktop that has no other means of internet connectivity.
It seems I represent a minority (of one!) in this... i dunno. I've been excited about how well it works out, and am quite surprised (astonished even!) to find everyone else singing a different tune.

Blue6IX said:
lol - you should come by my house. Sometimes (I posted it in a thread a few months ago around here somewhere) I use the doubleshot as a wifi bridge to my router to make up for the inadequacies of my laptop wifi abilities, or for my desktop that has no other means of internet connectivity.
It seems I represent a minority (of one!) in this... i dunno. I've been excited about how well it works out, and am quite surprised (astonished even!) to find everyone else singing a different tune.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, seems like you're the only one. By the way, if your laptop is overheating from compiling, you're doing something wrong. No laptop should overheat, even under full load, unless you have blocked vents, or you're overclocked.

Lol, unless it's choked with dust, has no compound between the processor and heatsink, the fan doesn't work and it relies on an external cooling pad for all of it's cooling air circulation.
Half the usb ports are burnt out and no longer function and the speakers stopped working a year ago. Since the audio out jack has stopped functioning.
I'm pretty impressed with the fact that it even still turns on, let alone being able to actually do anything with it, but, I'm hoping to get a full blown linux install on the doubleshot and thereby circumvent ever having to purchase a real computer again.
I'd grab another laptop, but, i'd rather invest my limited tech funds into android hardware and write off real computers entirely, and given the capabilities of the doubleshot and future android devices on out this is no pipe dream - the only thing between me and realizing that goal is the knowledge to make it happen, a gap that shrinks daily.
Sent from a digital distance.

Related

External antenna/signal boost?

Hello! I'm looking for a way to boost my signal. I've noticed that when I have under 3 bars (and even if it bounces up to 3 and back down) my battery drains quicker than it can charge. At work as long as I have 3+ it will charge faster but if I'm at a different spot and its under 3 it drains. Also, it heats up (usually hangs out around 98.6 degrees but sometimes it'll go 105+). My main reason for wanting a boost at home is because I tether to play games when my sisters hog the house connection. So I'm looking for a cheap way to boost my signal. Small repeater sort of thing or something. To my understanding the little spots under the cover allow you to plug in external antennas, so where can I find everything for that? (And yes I saw that people can't get signal back after)
THANK YOU
Mechachu said:
Hello! I'm looking for a way to boost my signal. I've noticed that when I have under 3 bars (and even if it bounces up to 3 and back down) my battery drains quicker than it can charge. At work as long as I have 3+ it will charge faster but if I'm at a different spot and its under 3 it drains. Also, it heats up (usually hangs out around 98.6 degrees but sometimes it'll go 105+). My main reason for wanting a boost at home is because I tether to play games when my sisters hog the house connection. So I'm looking for a cheap way to boost my signal. Small repeater sort of thing or something. To my understanding the little spots under the cover allow you to plug in external antennas, so where can I find everything for that? (And yes I saw that people can't get signal back after)
THANK YOU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We used to live in an AT&T dead spot (yeah, yeah, who doesn't?) and ended up putting a powered wireless repeater in the house with an external antenna on the roof. I believe the manufacturer was Digital Antenna. They're not cheap, but the wired versions (if you can live with that) are a bit cheaper.
As long as you have high speed internet at home get an Airave. It puts up a tower in your house and processes everything over your home internet connection. 5 bucks a month i believe.
http://support.sprint.com/support/device/Sprint/AIRAVE_by_Sprint-dvc1230001prd/?id16=airave
Problem solved.
I thought about airwave but people ten to not pay the internet from time to time xD and does the signal crap out if people use the internet? Its only a 768 connection (country ftl) and people tend to netflix and cam -_-
Mechachu said:
I thought about airwave but people ten to not pay the internet from time to time xD and does the signal crap out if people use the internet? Its only a 768 connection (country ftl) and people tend to netflix and cam -_-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The airrave uses your internet connection for 3G data and voice calls. If your internet is slow to begin with and ppl are hammering it all day long the airrave won't work well for you. Also, it doesn't hand calls off to the real cell network, so if you're on the phone and you leave your house the call will drop. If you have good signal outside and bad signal inside, one of those repeaters is the way to go - but it ain't cheap.
Dang ok. What about something like the Wilson Magnet Mount Cellular Antenna at Radioshack? (Its on the site. Id link it but you need 8+ posts >.<)
I'd just limit your sisters ip address/mac address with a QOS policy, so that she can't hog all the bandwidth. (would be done at your router)
I've heard and seen on this board some nasty results from connecting external antennas to the connection point behind the battery cover. Do a search in the forums to see, I can't remember exactly off the top of my head.
Ya I only saw a couple people mention problems and it seemed to be things that they had only heard
Whatever you do DO NOT CONNECT an EXTERNAL ANTENNA to the CONNECTION POINT.
So far, everyone on this forum who has tried so with a Galaxy S has ended up with some permanent baseband (or whatever is responsible for the gsm/cdma part) corruption. What ended up happening was that the internal antenna would turn off. In some cases it meant that they could only call with the external antenna plugged in, and in other cases is meant that neither the external or internal antenna would work. (note: This has happened only on captivate and vibrant so far, so I am not sure what will happen on CDMA but.... Better safe than sorry right!?).
oh and sorry for the large font.... It catches your eye... ~_~
krackers said:
Whatever you do DO NOT CONNECT an EXTERNAL ANTENNAto the CONNECTION POINT.
So far, everyone on this forum who has tried so with a Galaxy S has ended up with some permanent baseband (or whatever is responsible for the gsm/cdma part) corruption. What ended up happening was that the internal antenna would turn off. In some cases it meant that they could only call with the external antenna plugged in, and in other cases is meant that neither the external or internal antenna would work. (note: This has happened only on captivate and vibrant so far, so I am not sure what will happen on CDMA but.... Better safe than sorry right!?).
oh and sorry for the large font.... It catches your eye... ~_~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol I did that when i got my first smart phone, the htc touch. Thankfully back in those days sprint would fix any problem or give you a new phone no questions asked for 55 dollars. ( I used to find inventive ways to break my phone. Like the mentioned external antenna, or a homemade battery back)
I'm interested in a solution to this as well, preferably something that doesnt have a monthly fee attached.
In my basement, I get about 1-2 bars of service, and sometimes nothing at all. Is very frustrating to receive texts up to an hour late.
talk about ad placement
This came up right under the latest post in this thread:
Tri Band Yagi 700Mhz - 2500Mhz 9dBi
Our highest gain directional tri/multi antenna - for 700-2500mhz networks (including Verizon LTE, Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/Alltel 3G, and more).
LINK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank jebus for adfree android and adblockplus for firefox...
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

[Q] Infuse for 1 week, my problems so far

Picked up my Infuse up at BestBuy on May 15th, the release date. After 1 week, I've had these problems:
Main problem is that GPS sucks. I had specifically tried to get a smart phone to ditch my GPS navigator. This phone isn't it. Long times to fix, sometimes *never* producing a fix. If there is no network (away from civilization, no wifi or cell), there's often no fix, ever. This problem alone is probably enough for me to take it back. Does anyone know what the GPS implementation is in the Infuse? If it is a Broadcom chipset, that would explain it!
Wifi signal strength seems weak. In places where my laptop gets full bars, it gets half that. In places where my laptop gets two bars, it sometimes can't connect or it intermittently drops. This is very annoying.
Cell signal strength seems a bit weak, too. My old phone gets consistently one or two bars more. Cell data seemed not as strong, too.
I tried the HDMI adapter. It showed video fine, but failed to send audio to my TV. I know the TV is capable of HDMI audio from other sources. Oh well.
While driving with the device on sunny day, the screen was dim and hard to read. Found out the display brightness was low in auto mode. So I put it on manual, but it refused to allow full brightness, saying "Display brightness limited due to temperature" or something to that effect. So, you can't have full brightness in sunlight when you need it most? I suspect anybody who tries to use the car dash mount is going to run into thermal limiting problems, making that use impractical. Maybe if you get a white skin to keep the solar gain down. The thermal design isn't apparently good enough to get the heat out.
Otherwise, the phone seems pretty good, but my issues are high enough to have me contemplating a return.
I'll note that the Galaxy S II is reported to have a new GPS chipset, SirfStarIV, which sounds like a significant upgrade to the GPS system. But, not yet released in the US. Sigh.
How does one determine the GPS chipset in a phone?
Thanks for any help.
I've had a few issues with the phone also but you don't really expect your cell phone to get the same wifi signal as a full blown laptop do you?
Wow, seems as the Infuse does not meet your expectations. Question, If not the Infuse then what would be your next line up of devices?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
These are also my big issues, its definently the best ATT handset minus the antenna, I keep missing calls if its in my pocket and the wifi is really buggy.
DarkH2O said:
I've had a few issues with the phone also but you don't really expect your cell phone to get the same wifi signal as a full blown laptop do you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I make no apologies for having high expectations.
The wifi circuitry inside a phone should be as good as any that is inside a laptop. That leaves only the antenna as the prime issue for wifi performance. I can understand losing 3 dB, maybe 6 dB over a well designed laptop, but not 20 dB. That's severe incompetence in antenna design.
I've seen other smart phones do significantly better than the Infuse with regards to wifi.
pixelkore said:
Wow, seems as the Infuse does not meet your expectations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In those areas it isn't. I am particularly sensitive to GPS performance for my needs.
Question, If not the Infuse then what would be your next line up of devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Atrix is noted to have good GPS performance. I've been advised that Motorola is less friendly to things like rooting and ROMs than Samsung, though.
The HTC Inspire seems to have similar weak GPS problems.
The Samsung Galaxy II S (Attain on ATT?) is said to have a new GPS engine so that is what I hold out hope for. I may just return the Infuse and wait for that to come out and hope the GPS is improved.
I have had similar issues as well. Having a normal temp around 105° is high for any phone. It causes my screen to flicker constantly during game play. I expected something like an oversized captivate, which I got. I will switch to the gs 2 when it is released.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
mciholas said:
I make no apologies for having high expectations.
The wifi circuitry inside a phone should be as good as any that is inside a laptop. That leaves only the antenna as the prime issue for wifi performance. I can understand losing 3 dB, maybe 6 dB over a well designed laptop, but not 20 dB. That's severe incompetence in antenna design.
I've seen other smart phones do significantly better than the Infuse with regards to wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get great speeds with my router. It's set to only n and I pay for 30 /5 and get that on land line and with phone I get 16-20 down and 4-5 on up...
sent from Infuse but miss my captivate on cont. 5.5.... One day this can be as good...
chvybeatsford said:
I get great speeds with my router.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speed is not the issue, I get great speeds when close to my access point. The issue is lack of range and an unstable link.
I have to be in the same room as the access point, or maybe one room next to it, to get a reliable wifi connection on the Infuse. Other wifi devices work fine throughout the house.
My GPS units will get a lock in any room of the house. The Infuse GPS will not get a lock in any room of the house and takes a long time even outdoors.
I also get good range. May be my house but I can get great speeds in the garage. And the router is 3 walls and about 35ft. Also get good rec. Out side across my yard. (60ft.).
Not the best signal but 2bars.about 6mb.This is. Brand New house with the router about in center of floor plan.
sent from Infuse but miss my captivate on cont. 5.5.... One day this can be as good...
my captivate got better reception and didnt get as hot with heavy wifi usage. but you cant have everything.
i wouldn't get it because of the bad gps. i guess samsung forgot to put a gps antenna in it like they did with the rest of the galaxy s phones.
I love my infuse, my only issue is that 2 or 3 times so far, the phone starts playing music from my library without a music player opened. I've checked all my notifications and they are all set to what I want. Only thing i can think of, it's playing music to let me know my battery is full. My captivate used to beep, if its not the battery then i have no clue. no alarms are set, calenders have alerts turned off, sms is set to what I want, I don't know lol
Rldowney said:
I have had similar issues as well. Having a normal temp around 105° is high for any phone. It causes my screen to flicker constantly during game play. I expected something like an oversized captivate, which I got. I will switch to the gs 2 when it is released.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you going to upgrade? Just off contract purchase?
I don't have any issues with my GPS. I have been using the phone and testing it our for almost 2 weeks now and have not had any issues with it using Google Maps or Google Navigator. I would put it on par with my Atrix where the GPS is phenomenal on it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App
Wifi issues
mciholas said:
I make no apologies for having high expectations.
The wifi circuitry inside a phone should be as good as any that is inside a laptop. That leaves only the antenna as the prime issue for wifi performance. I can understand losing 3 dB, maybe 6 dB over a well designed laptop, but not 20 dB. That's severe incompetence in antenna design.
I've seen other smart phones do significantly better than the Infuse with regards to wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to return my Infuse due to the poor wifi reception. I had it side by side with my old iPhone 3G a couple rooms away from the router. The Infuse dropped wifi completely and I lost internet connectivity while the iPhone was happily chugging along.
It's a gorgeous phone and I was sorry to send it back, but not being able to keep wifi connectivity when compared with a 3 year old iPhone was a dealbreaker.
gPS
I rooted My infuse and installed faster fix and north america and my gps works perfect now it lock way faster then my htc inspire does i have noticed the phone gets warmer than others but i have only had it about four hours now so we will see
My gps using maps and navigation work perfectly, the only time i've noticed it getting hot is when I have it on the car dock, but, the thing is black and my car is old so everything is hot in it... i'm grandfathered into unlimited so I can't speak on the wifi cause I dont use it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
jdonnell said:
I had to return my Infuse due to the poor wifi reception. I had it side by side with my old iPhone 3G a couple rooms away from the router. The Infuse dropped wifi completely and I lost internet connectivity while the iPhone was happily chugging along.
It's a gorgeous phone and I was sorry to send it back, but not being able to keep wifi connectivity when compared with a 3 year old iPhone was a dealbreaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I'm gonna follow suit , this phone is an attrocity in every single way
1 - Touch the phone frame with two fingers , wifi and phone signals drop by 3/4ths which is RIDICULOUS ... there is no 4g and the hspa+ system should go and suck an Elephant's left NUT
2- Gps lockon takes more than 10 minutes ... again I'm screwed if I'm in a rush + no TomTom
3 - No gingerbread ?? . . . F^K you samsung seriously ... Ice cream is up next within the next 2 months and not even one dev on the internet was able to come up with custom firmware (No offense to any devs , I know you guys are awesome and work your @$$es off... so props to you for devotion and work always but patience is not my virtue)
4 - Single core is kinda painful to bear when you know quad core & 3d phones are being released very soon
5 - No apps that can use the front face camera (AS FAR AS I KNOW) so again why bother even giving this to us ?, Samsung you guys might as well have given us a dual core with one of the cores shut off.
6 - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT ... call quality / microphone is ATROCIOUS ... In my quiet bedroom at night with no audio disturbances my gf is telling me every 5 seconds that she can't hear me and that pisses me off so badly. I've tried with at least 10 other people all giving me same bs. So I have to yell at my phone like a walky talky .... so sad
If you bought this phone from costco you can do 2 things guys.
Either return the phone and stick with w/e u had b4 until the good stuff comes out or wait 90 days and pray something decent comes out by mid august.
I'm returning mine and returning to my Iphone 3g ( as old as it may be and dinged up it still is dam reliable )
sonkameja said:
3 - No gingerbread ?? . . . F^K you samsung seriously ... Ice cream is up next within the next 2 months and not even one dev on the internet was able to come up with custom firmware (No offense to any devs , I know you guys are awesome and work your @$$es off... so props to you for devotion and work always but patience is not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay. I hate getting worked up by people....but seriously? The phone has now been out for FOURTEEN DAYS!! Dont use "lack of dev work" as an excuse to take your phone back. I understand your frustrations, but just take it back and stop feeding this thread.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

Ok, for those without the DEATH GRIP WIFI ISSUE. PLEASE POST

a video. Im not calling yall liars, but ive had 3, and all have the issue so I just dont see how others dont. Unless its the routers, and yours is way better than mine cause mines junk, but never had issues on other phones.
Anyways, please post a video showing in another room from your router, covering the top landscape style and take a video showing the bars. I dont care if they drop some, Those that say it dont vanish can I please see a video. I JUST DONT GET IT.
Thanks, p.s. I got my 4th sensation on the Way. I want this phone but dont want the wifi issue cause i use wifi 90%of the time.
smashpunks said:
a video. Im not calling yall liars, but ive had 3, and all have the issue so I just dont see how others dont. Unless its the routers, and yours is way better than mine cause mines junk, but never had issues on other phones.
Anyways, please post a video showing in another room from your router, covering the top landscape style and take a video showing the bars. I dont care if they drop some, Those that say it dont vanish can I please see a video. I JUST DONT GET IT.
Thanks, p.s. I got my 4th sensation on the Way. I want this phone but dont want the wifi issue cause i use wifi 90%of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't have another video camera, so you'll just have to trust me, or trust the videos that are posted on YouTube that show it working. I'm in another room, landscape, hands wrapped around the phone every which way, the wifi connection never drops. I don't have a case on the phone. Using Wifi Analyzer I do get about a 20-25dB drop in signal, but it's still plenty strong enough to stay connected and not drop data.
It's more likely something about differences in routers than the phone. Maybe signal strength, or g versus n, or the specific channels being used. Not saying there are no bad phones, but if you try 4 phones and they all do it then it's probably related to something about the router.
I've not got a video but I don't hold my phone when using it in landscape (I rarely use landscape at all tbh). I put it on my lap so don't have the issue
please please post a video someone. This is my only issue. If its my router and I need a N ill buy one, but I need a video of someone going to the router, then watching them walk to the end of the house in the room and do it. If it does not kill your wifi I will be sold and figure out why mine is..
Do you have a N router?
Is it just G?
This is serious and Ive only seen videos of them effected and experienced the same.
Ok so I took my case off and had to wrap my hand completely over the top end of the phone to show a difference, but it did drop two bars ,now since ill never hold my phone in that manner this will never be a problem for me , so I would say that the case makes a diff and its definately there , I really don't like holding it in landscape mode ever , i rarely do
For ref, I have a G router (a rebranded Thomson)
EddyOS said:
For ref, I have a G router (a rebranded Thomson)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but you said you dont hold your phone in landscape. I for one play online FPS games in landscape and need it.
Can you test in landscape? since you dont go in landscape? or did you already and have no issue?
please post a video. If yours is fine there are good ones and ill find it. If not im trading back for my g2x today because that
so far Im getting. I have no wifi issue cause I never cover it?
well if you do hold your phone in landscape and have no issues, then please post a video. In portrait im golden, but when I landscape it completely depletes.
Here's a video that shows signal drop but no disconnect when the wifi signal is strong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64GKuuczoE
This is just what mine looks like. Drop in signal, no disconnect.
Notice the other low signal wifi's in this vid do drop away. The same guy also posted a video showing a total drop in connection if the wifi signal is relatively low at it's peak. So, at least part of the reported problems could be due to a relatively low max signal.
If you don't have Wifi Analyzer get it and post a vid so we can see what's going on.
I will make you a video the second I get off work at 4pm. I will show the router on video, then walk up stairs, hold the phone in landscape and show that none of my bars disappear. Do I get anything in return or do I just prove I'm not a liar? I am really not trying to knock anyone here but I find it odd that we can all buy top of the line phones but still use shifty routers. A goog router will make your life a lot better for a fraction of the cost for your phone. I suggest everyone get into the year 2011 and atleast by a N router, if not a dual band N router.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
samnada said:
Here's a video that shows signal drop but no disconnect when the wifi signal is strong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64GKuuczoE
This is just what mine looks like. Drop in signal, no disconnect.
Notice the other low signal wifi's in this vid do drop away. The same guy also posted a video showing a total drop in connection if the wifi signal is relatively low at it's peak. So, at least part of the reported problems could be due to a relatively low max signal.
If you don't have Wifi Analyzer get it and post a vid so we can see what's going on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that. WEll, hes next to the router, so thats why the wifi dont die, but I garuntee that if he goes in another room it will die. WE need to see where his router is before we judge if his connection never drops. I bet hes in the same room.
WIfi analyzer vs my vibrant is amazing. Vibrant perfect barely loses db. Now the sensation loses 20 no problem. So in a room with wifi it will be connected, but in a room with less signal, you will cover the signal and kill it. It shouldnt be like that.
smashpunks said:
Ok that. WEll, hes next to the router, so thats why the wifi dont die, but I garuntee that if he goes in another room it will die. WE need to see where his router is before we judge if his connection never drops. I bet hes in the same room.
WIfi analyzer vs my vibrant is amazing. Vibrant perfect barely loses db. Now the sensation loses 20 no problem. So in a room with wifi it will be connected, but in a room with less signal, you will cover the signal and kill it. It shouldnt be like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've identified why people are reporting different experiences, which is exactly what I said. If the signal is strong then the connection won't drop. If it's weak enough at max then it will drop.
The loss of about 20-25dB by holding the phone certain ways is known, and isn't likely to vary much be getting your 4th or 5th Sensation. You could try holding it differently, or maybe some types of cases (with or without PT ) may help. Or you can get a router with a stronger signal.
Whether or when HTC will do anything to fix or improve the issue remains to be seen.
samnada said:
You've identified why people are reporting different experiences, which is exactly what I said. If the signal is strong then the connection won't drop. If it's weak enough at max then it will drop.
The loss of about 20-25dB by holding the phone certain ways is known, and isn't likely to vary much be getting your 4th or 5th Sensation. You could try holding it differently, or maybe some types of cases (with or without PT ) may help. Or you can get a router with a stronger signal.
Whether or when HTC will do anything to fix or improve the issue remains to be seen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe Ill try a stronger router. Im going to try a few locations with wifi, if it perfoms bad, Bye Bye. My other phones pick up wifi outside buildings.
Your right, if i hold it in portrait its strong, but I shouldnt need to do that. Ever.
smashpunks said:
Maybe Ill try a stronger router. Im going to try a few locations with wifi, if it perfoms bad, Bye Bye. My other phones pick up wifi outside buildings.
Your right, if i hold it in portrait its strong, but I shouldnt need to do that. Ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right, you shouldn't need to hold it differently to hold a WiFi signal. Do you still want me to make a video showing that non of my bars drop while on a different floor from my router.
I actually get a stronger WiFi signal on my Sensation than I do on my G2X.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
jrwingate6 said:
Your right, you shouldn't need to hold it differently to hold a WiFi signal. Do you still want me to make a video showing that non of my bars drop while on a different floor from my router.
I actually get a stronger WiFi signal on my Sensation than I do on my G2X.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please, I would love that... Cause if so I just need a stronget router even though my other phones work fine sitting on them..
I live in a small apartment and I have a good router (bought it like a month ago) even when I'm standing directly in front of it, the signal will drop (I watch the meter in wifi analyzer drop) If I'm in another room it drops even more. I have my phone set for max wifi performance too. One night I really noticed it while streaming a video from my computer via splashtop. Every time I held it a certain way the video would actually stutter. I wonder if the people experiencing it have some kind of grounding problem with the phone. It's not a huge issue for me because it never fully drops and when I hold it in landscape mode I just make sure My hand doesnt cover all three anntena holes on the back. It seems when your hand is in contact and covers all 3 that it drops. I should be getting another sensation on friday. I hope 1. the wifi drop isnt as bad 2. That I get the better sharp screen
graffixnyc said:
I live in a small apartment and I have a good router (bought it like a month ago) even when I'm standing directly in front of it, the signal will drop (I watch the meter in wifi analyzer drop) If I'm in another room it drops even more. I have my phone set for max wifi performance too. One night I really noticed it while streaming a video from my computer via splashtop. Every time I held it a certain way the video would actually stutter. I wonder if the people experiencing it have some kind of grounding problem with the phone. It's not a huge issue for me because it never fully drops and when I hold it in landscape mode I just make sure My hand doesnt cover all three anntena holes on the back. It seems when your hand is in contact and covers all 3 that it drops. I should be getting another sensation on friday. I hope 1. the wifi drop isnt as bad 2. That I get the better sharp screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one coming soon as well. Ordered today. Will see how it goes. I just don't think I should have to get a new router when my others phones work great.. I'd say grounding causeof if I put tp between my phone and case I can't get it to drop... Move the 2 layers of pt and it goes away.
Sounds like you should just ditch the Sensation; some feedback from my experience; I have the Rubberized case on mine and at work with the case I get about 1-2 bars of WIFI; without I get almost full.
Turning it landscape also kills the connection with case and drops to 1 bar without case so thats pretty ****ty although I don't use my phone landscape or really play games on it but for people who do I could imagine that sucking pretty hard.
Was gonna do a vid but I don't think it's really necessary. If you have a strong signal (ie sitting next to the router) your likely not going to notice anything at all; if your on a medium signal it's likely you will lose bars or total connection.
Not really sure what video proof is going to do for you however as it really doesn't matter what others are experiencing in this case outside of their verbal explanation.
I have to agree, this issue is annoying. In my house I have 2 MT4G's a Thunderbolt and the Sensation. None of them drop wifi signal like the sensation does.. I don't use a case and sitting 3 feet from the router I'm ok, even turning around facing away from the router at 3 feet I'm ok but it does drop a couple of bars. In other rooms I have full bars but if I cover or hold in landscape as has been shown I loose all or down to 1 bar and most of the time it will disconnect.
Not sure what type of router mine is as it is from AT&T UVERSE.
Here is my video 3 rooms away from my router I drop a little but no disconnect.
-McMex
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

Cell Interfering With GPS

Here's a puzzler.
I recently started using my automotive GPS again (Garmin Nuvi 1450; same as the 1490) but I've noticed it's acting haywire whenever my Inspire is even close to it. For example, the accuracy becomes off by miles and it thinks the elevation is roughly 3000 feet when the elevation of the area I live is 150 feet above sea level.
Suspecting something, I powered off my Inspire and the Garmin immediately went back to being dead accurate so it has to be something with the Inspire.
I run my phone with WiFi and GPS disabled, I live in a HSUPA enabled area and my phone is set to use all available bands; it's generally in HSUPA mode. The rom I'm using is based off the Cyanogen nightlies, LorDmod kernel, 12.54.60.25U_26.09.04.11_M2 radio.
If anyone's experienced something similar or has any potential fixes that would be great. Putting my phone on airplane mode every time I get in my car isn't a very viable solution.
helushune said:
Here's a puzzler.
I recently started using my automotive GPS again (Garmin Nuvi 1450; same as the 1490) but I've noticed it's acting haywire whenever my Inspire is even close to it. For example, the accuracy becomes off by miles and it thinks the elevation is roughly 3000 feet when the elevation of the area I live is 150 feet above sea level.
Suspecting something, I powered off my Inspire and the Garmin immediately went back to being dead accurate so it has to be something with the Inspire.
I run my phone with WiFi and GPS disabled, I live in a HSUPA enabled area and my phone is set to use all available bands; it's generally in HSUPA mode. The rom I'm using is based off the Cyanogen nightlies, LorDmod kernel, 12.54.60.25U_26.09.04.11_M2 radio.
If anyone's experienced something similar or has any potential fixes that would be great. Putting my phone on airplane mode every time I get in my car isn't a very viable solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried Garmin Customer Support? It sounds like the problem is possibly with the Garmin, and not the Inspire. A stand alone GPS unit should be able to withstand interference form a cell phone, IMO...
meiguoguizi said:
Have you tried Garmin Customer Support? It sounds like the problem is possibly with the Garmin, and not the Inspire. A stand alone GPS unit should be able to withstand interference form a cell phone, IMO...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't happen when my brother's Thunderbolt or my old iPhone 4 is around it so I'm kind of confused. I haven't called up Garmin yet, just noticed it going haywire today, but I'll give that a shot.
helushune said:
It doesn't happen when my brother's Thunderbolt or my old iPhone 4 is around it so I'm kind of confused. I haven't called up Garmin yet, just noticed it going haywire today, but I'll give that a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah weird problem if only confined to the Inspire device. I have noticed for YEARS on AT&T with multiple handsets (including the iPhone) that something with the native signal interferes with the landline phones and some computers with stand alone speakers in the form of static and beeps that make it sound like I am trying to contact the Mother Ship...only at my employers cubes though...
helushune said:
It doesn't happen when my brother's Thunderbolt or my old iPhone 4 is around it so I'm kind of confused. I haven't called up Garmin yet, just noticed it going haywire today, but I'll give that a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS frequencies are at approximately 1227 and 1575 MHz. The Inspire cell phone radio transmits in the 850, 900, 1800 or 1900 MHz bands depending on whether it's using EDGE, 3G, etc. So in theory it shouldn't interfere, unless some weird harmonic frequency situation is going on. You didn't say if you're using bluetooth, but these frequencies are in the 2400+ range (close to the WiFi range), so once again there should be no interference. It may be worth turning it off just to see (if you haven't tried this already).
Since the other 2 phones you mentioned don't cause the same problem, this does potentially point to your Inspire as the source. Maybe for some unknown reason your Inspire is poorly shielded (possibly due to some sort of defect during assembly) and is therefore spitting out more interference than it should. Or your radio is not running within spec due to some sort of hardware or software issue, and is spitting out spurious interference.
Personally I would try flashing the stock radio version 26.06.06.30. This is the stock radio that is FCC approved to run on the Inspire, and therefore has passed the FCC testing and certification for spurious signals, interference, etc. Get the version that comes with the RCData file, in the radio thread in the dev section.
One more thing to check: make sure the cell antenna (built into the inside cover of the SIM/SD cover at the bottom of the phone) is making good contact with the phone when the cover is on the phone. Look for the little gold contacts, and make sure they are clean and sticking up slightly with a "springy" tension to them, so as to make good contact. The reason I say to check this, is because if your antenna isn't connected 100% properly, the cell radio may increase its transmission power to compensate, which might also increase the interference it creates. This is pure conjecture.
What about Bluetooth?
Took too long. Just listen to Henry. He's a friggin genius. I think. He always seem to help me.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using the power of the dark side.
meiguoguizi said:
Yeah weird problem if only confined to the Inspire device. I have noticed for YEARS on AT&T with multiple handsets (including the iPhone) that something with the native signal interferes with the landline phones and some computers with stand alone speakers in the form of static and beeps that make it sound like I am trying to contact the Mother Ship...only at my employers cubes though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yar, that's the GSM signal interfering with electronics (usually cheap speakers) that aren't properly magnetically shielded against the GSM frequencies AT&T uses.
EDIT:
@biglittlegato - Good question, I always leave bluetooth disabled as well; I never use it. So much so I forgot this phone supported it. Heh.
@henrybravo - Cheers. I'll reflash back to 26.06.06.30 with the RID and see what happens.
EDIT2:
Also fired off an email to Garmin as well. Their response time window is 3 days so we'll see what they say as well.
The odd thing is that it was working fine when I drove to work this morning. Maybe it has something to do with the network load. Bleh, I'm just throwing stuff out there at this point.
helushune said:
Yar, that's the GSM signal interfering with electronics (usually cheap speakers) that aren't properly magnetically shielded against the GSM frequencies AT&T uses.
That all makes sense . Rather annoying when on the land line phone with someone at work though, or worse, we have an overhead paging system, and the beeps and static kick in when I'm on the overhead...just blame my employer's choice of inexpensive hardware and not fault my phones or cell service though .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meiguoguizi said:
Yeah weird problem if only confined to the Inspire device. I have noticed for YEARS on AT&T with multiple handsets (including the iPhone) that something with the native signal interferes with the landline phones and some computers with stand alone speakers in the form of static and beeps that make it sound like I am trying to contact the Mother Ship...only at my employers cubes though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I know EXACTLY what static/beeping sound you're talking about. My old Motorola prehistoric flip phone and maybe even my razr used to produce that sound whenever I was sitting at my computer, just before the incoming call would ring my phone. Annoying as hell.
Hasn't done it on my newer phones...Captivate and inspire.
Scott_S said:
Haha I know EXACTLY what static/beeping sound you're talking about. My old Motorola prehistoric flip phone and maybe even my razr used to produce that sound whenever I was sitting at my computer, just before the incoming call would ring my phone. Annoying as hell.
Hasn't done it on my newer phones...Captivate and inspire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the good ol' RAZR... when I had this old alarm clock that is never really off...would start the Home World transmissions 5 seconds before the phone would ring with an incoming call...I be drunk n think it was magic...well not really but sort of....
Sent from my Inspire 4G™ using XDA Premium App
Cheers for your guys' help in this matter. There were a few updates for the nuvi that Garmin sent me and I flashed the 26.06.06.30 radio and the issue seems to have dissipated. Still not sure what exactly fixed it or if it was just a GPS reading fluke but all is well now.

[Q] Nexus S extremely poor wifi

Hello there,
i know that this topic has been already debated several times but I couldn't find any solution to it.
I'm running MIUI 1.8.19, android version 2.3.5, kernel version 2.6.35.7-g3cc95e3, baseband I9023XXKB3.
Wifi signal is extremely weak, few meters away from any router and the connection becomes extremely unstable making the wifi experience a total nightmare.
I've been previously tried NSCollab and also different baseband configuration files but nothing seems to get things better.
For what is worth (even though the wifi is bad anywhere and with any router) my router is a Linksys WRT150N running on DD-WRT.
The Nexus S wifi thing seems to be a little bit controversial. Some users seem having no problem with it, some other experience the same problems i do.
Question #1: is that a hardware, software or both kind of problem?
question #2 : is there any workaround that would allow me at least to comfortably browse the internet from my bedroom (5-6 mts away from my router) without getting disconnected every other 30 sec?
Thank you in advance,
D.
You kept a phone that can't hold a wifi connection over a distance of 5m? I'd have returned it on day 1.
It's normal that the distance of WIFI on smartphones is less than say a laptop or pc, but 5m is definitly not normal.
Verify w/ other wifi networks, same problem = return it. If not, bad luck, might be the combination of your phone + the router not working properly.
You can try changing radios to see of that improves your situation, for some it did.
Yes, it is normal having a weaker wi-fi but my blackberry has no problem at all. it is the nexus and it seems to be quite a widespread problem around the globe.
Well i was abroad on business and couldnt return it. Just looking for clues....
I know that netarchy's kernel uses updated wifi drivers, you can try flashing that and see if it does anything.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Hi there,
i tried several kernels: netarchy, matrix and also installed MIUI and also tried the MIUI Brainmaster ROM. Same result: in my bedroom the wifi signal score a miserable -85/90 db. Is there any kernel out there optimized for wifi? I mean, it seems that the wifi weakness on the nexus S is a common problem.
Thank you in advance.
It sounds as though you have a hardware problem or a router problem. I have to go to a room in the other side of my house to get -90 db and even then it doesn't disconnect. I have to get about 200 feet away before it disconnects.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Also it might have something to do with interference on whatever channel you are connecting on but I don't really know enough about wireless networking to help you troubleshoot that.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
What i'm wondering is wheter Samsung uses different wifi chipset on the same phone cause i'm not the only one complaining about it. just google "nexus s weak wifi" and you'll see hundreds of people with the same problem.
still wondering if there's a software solution to it.
caravaggio971 said:
What i'm wondering is wheter Samsung uses different wifi chipset on the same phone cause i'm not the only one complaining about it. just google "nexus s weak wifi" and you'll see hundreds of people with the same problem.
still wondering if there's a software solution to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has been documented that the Nexus S uses an under powered wifi chip. The chip uses less power but with that comes a weaker signal.
mine seems to be weaker than average...
Yours does seem weaker than normal, but no nexus s has decent wifi range.
What I have done is purchase 2 old linksys wrt54gl routers, have them both loaded up with DD-WRT and then link them (bridged mode or WDS if you prefer) and situate the routers in either end of my house. I have a decent sized 3 bed detached house, with a 70ft garden, I can now get a reliable wifi connection near the end of my garden on my nexus, where as previously I couldnt get to the back door
Might be an old thread, but I just traded my trusty HD2 for a Nexus S and god I hate the WIFI reception on this thing.
I am on stock 2.3.4 Rooted with KD1 radio and 2.6.35.14(Pete's) kernel. Tried just about anything out there, and nothing worked out.
Being a Pure Google experience phone, I was expecting a lot more happening for this phone, but it seems that my 2009 released HD2 was way better for all it had to offer.
Subscribing to this thread!
WIFI is fine for me, same as with HTC Desire, and stronger than iPhone 3G...
Its terrible on my Sprint Nexus.
Where I have an Ipod touch and a LG Optimus, they get an 'excellent' connection anywhere in the house. The Nexus drops the connection all the time, shows a 'poor' 5Mbps connection.
Will swapping the phone do any good?
OK.
I bought my Nexus S yesterday and I was soooo disappointed because of its poor wifi reception... But...
I am a network Administrator and a few minutes ago i just couldn't beleive that about 10 meters away from our Cisco Antennas i had about 89db signal so i started playing... and guess what i now have 55dbs at the same spot! What i found out is that Nexus S doesn't work well with High Frequencies so I disabled channels 8-13 and my AP had to work on the low channels and BAM! everything works fine now (My phone is in stock FW)
I hope I helped
Gorbi_gr said:
OK.
I bought my Nexus S yesterday and I was soooo disappointed because of its poor wifi reception... But...
I am a network Administrator and a few minutes ago i just couldn't beleive that about 10 meters away from our Cisco Antennas i had about 89db signal so i started playing... and guess what i now have 55dbs at the same spot! What i found out is that Nexus S doesn't work well with High Frequencies so I disabled channels 8-13 and my AP had to work on the low channels and BAM! everything works fine now (My phone is in stock FW)
I hope I helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome tip! Thank you so much
I found this channel number which it uses to make no difference to the wifi performance.
I tried channels 1,6,11, no difference.
The phone just has poor wifi.
As a note, usually I don't use the low channel '1', as this gets interference from microwaves more than the upper channels.
just bought a Nexus and and experiencing heavy wifi issues.
I tried changing AP channel but doesn't fix.
Testing signal strenght with a LG Optimus one for comparison:
1- LG: -72db. stable
2- Nexus S: -85db web pages loading fails quite often.
Tomorrow my NS will return to the store. Bye Bye

Categories

Resources