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Radio advice/help needed!

So I recently got an Inspire, coming from a Vibrant. I have T-mobile service. On the Vibrant, in the same location, I had superb cell signal. On this Infuse, it's more than terrible.
I know it's designed to be an ATT phone, and the internal hardware won't pick up certain T-Mobile bands, but I have also had a couple other unlocked phones that got better signal than this.
I can literally set the Vibrant down on the table with 3-4 bars of service, and the Infuse next to it with Emergency Only or an X (no signal). In other random spots I can get a couple bars, but very spotty. Sometimes I'll have a couple of bars, and literally not move an inch and lose signal. That's frustrating!
I know I can't get 3g-4g speeds. Not an issue with me, I use wireless, but I do want to figure out how to make and receive phone calls.
I unlocked using Ace, and let it run for a few days before making any other changes. Today I flashed Android Revolution HD 6.3.3, and then flashed the recommended radio about an hour later. (used the fastboot method described in the radio's readme, the RIL was included in the Rom)
So my signal is slightly better, but only barely. Still very unreliable.
I guess my hope is, to gain some insight as to how the radio even works, so I can start to learn the differences in them, and find one that works better.
Is there any hope that I will find one that is suitable?
Can anyone recommend radios/a solution?
I also wonder, since the Desire has compatible radios, and they are used in Europe, if they may pick up T-Mobile USA signals better.
Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for your help and advice!
P.S. I know its been discussed before, however, I've read hours and hours worth of posts, and in the end I decided asking was definitely worth it. Ya'll are smart!
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA

Radios react differently for everyone cause they are actually based on regions as to where your at. But there are positive responses on the .03 , .28 and .30 radios. Give them a shot and try them out each for about a few days and see how they work for you. Development section has a radio thread you can get them from.
Just remember flash radios at your own risk, they are a little riskier than flashing roms. Good luck

[Q] Little to no signal and no mobile data access

Well I'm on the latest CM nightly (CM 10.1 -20130312) and I just came from CM 10. I tried CM 10.1 before but I had little to no signal and I've decided to give the latest nightly a chance and well, I still have the same problems as before. I flashed the 3.18 radio on it and it literally made NO difference at all. I hate the AT&T variant of the phone. On the CM 10 version I didn't have this problem but there were times that I'd go half an hour to a full hour without getting any texts and then they'll all come in at once (and I know its no coincidence because some of those messages contain people wondering why I haven't replied yet). So can anyone help me with this problem please?? I really like CM 10.1 but not having any mobile data and an even worse signal is a REAL deal breaker for me.

I was having the same issue until I went into settings and changed it to GSM/WCDMA.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

ItsKarriD said:
Well I'm on the latest CM nightly (CM 10.1 -20130312) and I just came from CM 10. I tried CM 10.1 before but I had little to no signal and I've decided to give the latest nightly a chance and well, I still have the same problems as before. I flashed the 3.18 radio on it and it literally made NO difference at all. I hate the AT&T variant of the phone. On the CM 10 version I didn't have this problem but there were times that I'd go half an hour to a full hour without getting any texts and then they'll all come in at once (and I know its no coincidence because some of those messages contain people wondering why I haven't replied yet). So can anyone help me with this problem please?? I really like CM 10.1 but not having any mobile data and an even worse signal is a REAL deal breaker for me.
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I used to be tech support for att. Obvious question: has this happen before? Now to put my xda hat on. Did you change APN settings? Is this the only rom you flashes? Also call att (611) and have them cancel registration. This basically kicks you off the network and bring you back on. Sim cards are not the issue as the are unable to determine signal strength. Hope you get it fixed.
Sent from my Carbon-ize Evita using xda-developers app

I think it has something to do with the 3.18 radio. I never had problems until flashing it. I have tried multiple roms. Sense based and aosp. It happens on both although it seems to be worse on aosp. I went out of state and lost signal completely while running the latest Chameleon. I went into settings and as soon as I stopped it from searching for LTE it went to full signal. Maybe a tower upgrade issue? 3.18 radio issue? I guess it's something for devs to look into. I know not all towers are the same. 3.18 maybe conflicting with the area he is in. Somebody will get it figured out lol.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Venomtester said:
I think it has something to do with the 3.18 radio. I never had problems until flashing it. I have tried multiple roms. Sense based and aosp. It happens on both although it seems to be worse on aosp. I went out of state and lost signal completely while running the latest Chameleon. I went into settings and as soon as I stopped it from searching for LTE it went to full signal. Maybe a tower upgrade issue? 3.18 radio issue? I guess it's something for devs to look into. I know not all towers are the same. 3.18 maybe conflicting with the area he is in. Somebody will get it figured out lol.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
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That's just weird. I flashed 3.18, and still get the same coverage (4-5 bars, 6mbps data). I don't see how it can effect you. The device is dual HSPA+/LTE. So if the device cannot find LTE, it will always back (circuit switch fall back). Even when I went to an LTE area (Nashville, TN), it still work perfectly. Could be something up with the physical radio inside of the phone. The LTE towers are suppose to be backwards compatible, but we know how companies can be. If your device is working in one area, and not the other, then it is a tower issue. Even though AT&T may find that their towers are ok, it is a tower issue, and there is no doubt around that. Now if it just gives you random coverage, no matter where you are, then it is the phone itself.

Having the same issue on CM. Just tried changing to WCDMA and my signal doubled. That is weird but thanks you guys.

[Q] Horrible reception-- new phone development

I've started having some horrible issues with my phone connecting to Verizon networks properly. I used to be able to connect to 4G networks at my house and surrounding area with no issue, but now I've been having the worst time getting it to lock. Currently I'm connected to 3G at -99dBm in my household.
I originally was running stock, but fully rooted, S-Off. I've since switched to trying AOKP and now I've settled on Sinless GPe 3.4.7. I have not seen any real difference between them as far as getting a good connection to the network. I started switching ROMs well after I've noticed an issue, and I have not done much of anything to my phone in the last few weeks that I could attribute to the change. I've never dropped the phone or damaged it in any way.
I just recently traveled across the state and would run speedtests next to my wife's iPhone 5c and 19/20 times she'd show full bars with LTE service while I was either on 3G or no service at all. My phone will connect to 4G sometimes though, it's just not that often.
I read that there may be an issue with my SIM card, so I stopped in and had it replaced. The guy seemed very confused about the state of my phone software, so he blamed any issue I was having on the software installed. Regardless I did get a new SIM card installed. It did not seem to help at all. Can anybody help me? I'd hope to not have to go through the hassle of attempting to get the phone replaced!
Bootloader information:
HBoot-3.16.0.0000
Radio-0.89.20.0321
After rebooting my phone, my phone locked to an LTE signal at -112dBm. It does not speed test at over 3Mbps. Testing my wife's iPhone shows her at -100dBm and she was able to pull 30Mbps down.

There is talk of poor signal reception/speed in gpe threads. Cm based Roms, dunno. Try flashing a sense ROM, do some tests and report back
I recommend clean ROM or any other ROM on Verizon base

I just received my M8 yesterday and am having the same issues (both wifi and LTE) running the latest PA. Going to try something with a VZW base and report back.

wtoj34 said:
There is talk of poor signal reception/speed in gpe threads. Cm based Roms, dunno. Try flashing a sense ROM, do some tests and report back
I recommend clean ROM or any other ROM on Verizon base
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Click to collapse
I reloaded my backup of the Stock ROM and I am still seeing the same issues. It seems to connect sometimes but most of the time it will not. It seems like its just not getting a good lock. I am having trouble even using the phone at my house now whereas I've always had great service here. Doing a speed test now, the phone states 3G service, tested with 705 ping, download of 0.17, upload shot up to 58.19 (which obviously isn't true) and then froze while testing and has been here for over three minutes.

serotoninzero said:
I reloaded my backup of the Stock ROM and I am still seeing the same issues. It seems to connect sometimes but most of the time it will not. It seems like its just not getting a good lock. I am having trouble even using the phone at my house now whereas I've always had great service here. Doing a speed test now, the phone states 3G service, tested with 705 ping, download of 0.17, upload shot up to 58.19 (which obviously isn't true) and then froze while testing and has been here for over three minutes.
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Click to collapse
I would run the RUU and try again, and just see if something got boogered

Confirming as well that the reception isn't the greatest with this phone/radio in the so so service areas.
I live out in the country. Never had good reception with Sprint no matter the phone. Switched to Verizon with an LG G2 and service was fantastic at home for the 7 months I owned it. I moved to the M8 and now phone service is spotty at my house. It's the radio for sure. Wifes verizon moto works great at home as well.

I've had the same issue, updated radios, flash back to stock, and everything else. The radio on this phone IMO is terrible, even when it does get 4G I get like 8 mbps down with 4 bars of 4g. Once in a great while i'll get 18 - 20 down with 5 bars of 4g.

I've been experiencing the same things recently as well. It also affects sending SMS messages. I am on stock too (with s-off). Nothing changed on my phone though, it just started dying.

Never had signal issues. I live out in the boonies too. Signal is strong and switching between 3g and 4g has been smooth. I've been able to download torrents as fast as 5mb/s. Speed test results have been just awesome. As far as signal goes, it's been better than my note 3, DNA, and my wife's droid mini. And this is my second m8. My son has the first and it is the same as mine.
I would look into exchanging them if they don't keep up with other phones. The radio in this phone is actually pretty damn sweet, so if u got a funky one, I'd exchange it. Def try the ruu first, then exchange if that doesn't help.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

[Q] anybody else having 4g connection issues?

About 3 weeks ago after installing the update of liquidsmooth 4.4.4 i randomly started dropping to 3g service in places that i normally had full 4g available. It has slowly gotten worse to where if im not on wifi, than the phone is pretty much useless. i normally have full coverage everywhere. so i originally thought that maybe something had gotten messed up on the update, so i did a clean install of liquidsmooth 4.4, and blackbird kernal and same thing still occurred. also tried carbon rom and slimrom, and no luck. so for the fun of it, i went ahead and reflashed the phone back to stock from backups and rerooted it, updated the modems and reinstalled liquidsmooth w/ blackbird kernal, and same thing. i have went through all the mobile networks settings and tried everything and nothing seems to help, idk if that update screwed something up or if its an issue that others have been experiencing as well, or if im just screwed and my phone phone is dying.... any help is appreciated thanks

rideforlife7 said:
About 3 weeks ago after installing the update of liquidsmooth 4.4.4 i randomly started dropping to 3g service in places that i normally had full 4g available. It has slowly gotten worse to where if im not on wifi, than the phone is pretty much useless. i normally have full coverage everywhere. so i originally thought that maybe something had gotten messed up on the update, so i did a clean install of liquidsmooth 4.4, and blackbird kernal and same thing still occurred. also tried carbon rom and slimrom, and no luck. so for the fun of it, i went ahead and reflashed the phone back to stock from backups and rerooted it, updated the modems and reinstalled liquidsmooth w/ blackbird kernal, and same thing. i have went through all the mobile networks settings and tried everything and nothing seems to help, idk if that update screwed something up or if its an issue that others have been experiencing as well, or if im just screwed and my phone phone is dying.... any help is appreciated thanks
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I'm currently running OmniToad, and ran CM 11M8 for a short while. On T-Mobile at least, with the custom ROMs it's normal to see H+ only when data is being transferred; it will drop back to 3G otherwise. When I ran the stock ROM on the Relay, it would always say "4G" regardless of whether it was in UMTS (3G) or HSPA+ mode. Apps like SignalCheck or CellMapper will tell you which mode it is really in.
On the other hand, if data transmission is only going through as 3G, it could be a phone issue or a tower issue. Is LTE available in your area, or are they just getting it set up? I know when T-Mobile was upgrading the Chicago area to provide LTE, there were a few glitches here and there.
It was stupid for T-Mobile to brand HSPA+ as "4G" but that's a different rant.

Bobby Tables said:
I'm currently running OmniToad, and ran CM 11M8 for a short while. On T-Mobile at least, with the custom ROMs it's normal to see H+ only when data is being transferred; it will drop back to 3G otherwise. When I ran the stock ROM on the Relay, it would always say "4G" regardless of whether it was in UMTS (3G) or HSPA+ mode. Apps like SignalCheck or CellMapper will tell you which mode it is really in.
On the other hand, if data transmission is only going through as 3G, it could be a phone issue or a tower issue. Is LTE available in your area, or are they just getting it set up? I know when T-Mobile was upgrading the Chicago area to provide LTE, there were a few glitches here and there.
It was stupid for T-Mobile to brand HSPA+ as "4G" but that's a different rant.
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yea LTE has been in this area for quite a while now, i had it with my S4 and it worked perfectly, i never had a problem with the service on the relay either up untill a few weeks ago the internet speed and and data coverage was great, not quite as fast as the LTE on my S4 but it was still more than adequate, i used to use the hotspot and stream netflix on my laptop. now i can usually get a text to send but calls usually fail and if i try and use the internet its impossible. it almost seems like its doing the exact opposite of what it should be doing, as soon as i try and use anything (not while connected to wifi) than it drops coverage to 3g/edge/ or to nothing at all. Im leaning towards the hardware failing side, but i figured i might as well give it a shot and post it and see if maybe i wasnt alone. thank you for your reply.
small note of background on me: first time posting ever in this forum but have been using the tools and roms from it for a long time, so im not a complete noob, but i definitely still have a lot to learn.

[Q] LRX13O T-Mobile Cellular connection issue

I'm with the new Lollipop LRX13O roms.
Somehow, It's getting trouble in connecting T-mobile network. Wi-fi definitely works fine. But, it's struggling to find 2G/3G/LTE and just no bar, or sometime bars with no calls or data.
I already tried resetting APNs, and set the cellular network, but no luck here.
If anyone experiences the same problem, please let me know.
Thanks.

hrm I was afraid that this sort of thing could happen. Ah good old early adoption bugs and whatnot Seems to be a reoccurring theme of late with Android updates and cellular providers. Particularly T-mobile. I know it may seem like a dumb question but have you tried it in different areas ie different towers? how about reboot?

I'm on T-Mobile and I'm doing okay. You could try flashing a different radio and see if it works.

Should add I'll be updating mine as well. Currently on T-Mobile $30 plan. Just have to figure the best method forward yet. Most importantly is getting a good backup image(currently stock with locked bootloader).

crucialcolin said:
hrm I was afraid that this sort of thing could happen. Ah good old early adoption bugs and whatnot Seems to be a reoccurring theme of late with Android updates and cellular providers. Particularly T-mobile. I know it may seem like a dumb question but have you tried it in different areas ie different towers? how about reboot?
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Hopefully, this is just a problem only for me. I rebooted multiple times, and actually tried another Stock 5.0 rom, but having the same issue.
For last a couple of days, I didn't have a chance to go out from home, so didn't check from other areas, but tried different places near home though. And weirdly, my wife's Galaxy Note 3 has no problem at all in both call and data.

TheLastSidekick said:
I'm on T-Mobile and I'm doing okay. You could try flashing a different radio and see if it works.
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I re-flashed the LPX13D the Preview Radio, I believe that is the most recent radio. But still no luck. I'm kinda hesitating to flash the KK radio, maybe I should try it anyways.

iexplus said:
Hopefully, this is just a problem only for me. I rebooted multiple times, and actually tried another Stock 5.0 rom, but having the same issue.
For last a couple of days, I didn't have a chance to go out from home, so didn't check from other areas, but tried different places near home though. And weirdly, my wife's Galaxy Note 3 has no problem at all in both call and data.
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Yeah I know how that goes. Its kind of amazing that these devices work as well as they do. There's so many things that can cause glitches. Best of luck to you!
Anyways about to take the same plunge myself and upgrade. Most likely going the factory fresh route since its a major revision. A chance to unlock my boot loader anyways. I'm sure however something will break, be incompatible, etc. Right now I'm most nervous about the hotspot functionality with T-mobile still working. On the $30 prepaid plan and with KitKat I had to disable IPv6 otherwise I always got the upsell page before I could use it. Even though I don't tether often its nice to have.

flashed a factory stock 5.0 zip yesterday. Came from Slimroms 8. Flash rom,new radio,elemental kernel and super su zip in that order. No problems with anything here. No connectivity issues, no /sdcard issues, no battery drain issues, nothing.