So I was wondering. Is it possible to have mobile phones talk to one another without an operator over there cellular radio?
I can't see anything fundamentally wrong with it. A radio is a radio. I assume if you have access to what ever controls the cellular radio on the mobile device, you can pick and choose what frequency (out of the available ones like GSM, 3G, Etc.), send addressed packets over it, and talk to another modified device.
I was trying to research the subject. But I could only find people working with ad-hoc mesh networks over Wifi. Which to be honest, doesn't sound terribly useful considering Wifi's limited range of a few hundred feet at best. Whereas the cellular radio can talk over a few miles depending on conditions between it and the nearest tower.
I'm aware the FCC probably regulates that, but I'm excluding the legality part here. But if there is software out there I'm able to try out and it's iffy legally, I'll just do it inside a Faraday cage
So what are you guy's thoughts on this? Is the cellular radio something that's easy to control in say, Android devices? Is it something that'd require kernel modifications on most devices or could you possible do it through existing methods in the ROM? Do you think it'd be useful or practical if you had to operate without cell towers?
I suppose this is a question, but it's also discussion. I wasn't really sure whether or not to mark it as a question. Since I'm not really asking for someone's help since I'm likely not able to do this even if it's possible. More so I'm asking for opinions and thoughts on the idea since I'm interested in the thought. Though I'm sure it's been considered before, I haven't found anything that looks like it uses cellular radio in this way. Sorry if I shouldve marked this as a question.
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.
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 was considering buying one of these ebay signal boosters, and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them and the TP2 on Sprint. I am getting 2 bars, and on a good day I can download at ~80k/s at home. I want to be able to squeeze any more data speed from my phone that I can as it is my only internet source (D*mn you Comcast for putting your pole 1000' from my house).
That repeater appears to be for GSM only.
The only repeater I've heard of for Sprint/CDMA is kind of a hack. It basically uses your existing broadband connection to 'boost' your signal - see Airave.
Edit - the more I read that ebay ad, the more confused I am. CDMA 2000 is CDMA, but it says it boosts at the 2100mhz range, while Sprint's service is 1900mhz...
Edit 2 - moar info
The ebay link I posted shows Frequency range: Uplink 1930~ 1990MHz Downlink 2110 ~ 2180MHz boosted. That should cover the correct range.
It looks like sprint 3g is running from 1932.4 to 1987.6 from what I am seeing on the web.
wizardknight said:
The ebay link I posted shows Frequency range: Uplink 1930~ 1990MHz Downlink 2110 ~ 2180MHz boosted. That should cover the correct range.
It looks like sprint 3g is running from 1932.4 to 1987.6 from what I am seeing on the web.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does that mean the repeater will only work in one direction...
I'm not trying to discourage you from finding a solution, I just don't want you to waste $90 on something that might be useless for you.
Edit - what about wi-ex? Those seem to be the most "dependable" products... although much pricier. I just can't find much outside of the Airave for Sprint... and in theory it should work - but it would only improve your signal to what you get outdoors it seems. I'm not convinced any of it will boost your signal as if you had a new Sprint tower outside your window...
http://www.wi-ex.com/homeOffice.aspx
arrrghhh said:
So does that mean the repeater will only work in one direction...
I'm not trying to discourage you from finding a solution, I just don't want you to waste $90 on something that might be useless for you.
Edit - what about wi-ex? Those seem to be the most "dependable" products... although much pricier. I just can't find much outside of the Airave for Sprint... and in theory it should work - but it would only improve your signal to what you get outdoors it seems. I'm not convinced any of it will boost your signal as if you had a new Sprint tower outside your window...
http://www.wi-ex.com/homeOffice.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the airave work by using a broad band internet connection? As noted in the first post I am using my cell as my internet connection so that doesn't seem like a viable option.
wizardknight said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the airave work by using a broad band internet connection? As noted in the first post I am using my cell as my internet connection so that doesn't seem like a viable option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? Wi-EX is not an Airave. Sorry I mentioned it my post, I was just stating the only cell booster technology I've seen for Sprint or even CDMA specifically is the Airave - which as you noted works on an existing broadband connection.
However, that Wi-EX site seems to support both GSM and CDMA technologies - perhaps as does that one you found on ebay. If you don't have good service outside I don't see those devices improving anything for you...
Good luck, let us know if you do end up with something - I've always wondered about doing this for my parents house - they live in the boonies and no service... but over a ridge not 1/2 mile by the way the crow files, full bars. Very frustrating for them, and it was maddening when I lived up there... I just am skeptical these types of devices will make that big of a difference. They seem to really be for large buildings where you have difficulty getting service inside the building - but service is fine outside of the building. Not quite the case for my parents, not sure if it's the case for you or not...
Do those things transmit with higher power than your phone? If so then they could improve your signal strength quite a bit since the limiting factor in your phones ability to communicate with the network is its puny transmitter, not the towers.
What's the best Sprint phone for voice reception/quality and 3g speeds ?
(no 4g lte coverage in my area, only 3g)
Bump..................
it really depends on you...what are you looking for? Large screen, small screen?...latest hardware or latest software?...easiest to root? you can't just ask "what is the best on Sprint" the term "best" is subjective. What I find as the "best" may not be the "best" for you.
Whenever you ask a question in a forum or in a chat room for any topic remember "being vague helps no one, being specific helps us all"
I know you asked about reception and speeds but that is typically irrelevant to the phone itself and more based on your location. If you are in a large city you will have much better reception and speeds than if you are on a farm regardless of the phone you have.
What I will say is Google Voice works very well on Sprint so you can actually get MMS via Google Voice on Sprint...it is not as straight forward as it should be but it is possible.
I'm looking for a Sprint phone with the best sensitivity. The ability to pick up weak cell tower signals. Some phones are better than other phones.
Edit : Read this thread, didn't really help that much: http://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/91747?start=0&tstart=0
It was suggested in the Noob section that I post here because I have a Note 5 with a Nextech Wireless (small carrier in Central Kansas) who has a roaming agreement with Sprint's rural co-op; I am not sure if this is the right place as nextech does have it's own network and maintains it's own towers within Ks. I also think the network is more similar to that of US cellular but with a larger coverage area in Kansas, that is based on my limited understanding of cell networks so I am probably wrong.
I am familiar with flashing ROMs on none data activated (wifi only) devices becuase i have been doing it for years, tablets and none activated phones alike; but moving to modding a handset that is on a service plan (out of contract/warranty) is new for me and I am trying to understand the issues I might face doing this. I am interested in putting Lineage OS on it with TWRP; I am sure I would be fine testing this as long as I took a backup of the current ROM but I still want to make sure I know the ins and outs. This also brings up the question of what carrier ROM can I use or do I have a bunch of work ahead of me to make it function?
If this information exist somewhere please feel free to link me to it, again this is a new area for me and I am trying to be cautious moving forward.