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[Q] help getting better network signal

hi!
since upgrading to ARHD 3.6.3 i almost never get a 4 bar network signal.
always 2-3 bars.
anyone encounter that problem? or know how to fix it so i have better signal from my network?
i always had perfect signal in my house.
thanks!

sorry for the bumping..
anyone can help?

You could flash a better radio for that.

i used the recommended radio for the ARHD which is the rom i use.

It may just be that the network signal doesn't 'appear' to be as strong as before due to some difference in the rom, best to try one of the signal strength apps from the Market to test the true reading.

ok, i will do that.
can you recommend one or two?
thanks

Try this one, there may be better apps that I'm not aware of though.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.staircase3.opensignal&feature=search_result

You know that the "bars" are a purely subjective representation from the ROM's point of view of the Phone/WIFI signal. Phone A on Rom 1 might physically have the same same signal as the same phone on a different ROM or even a different phone on the same ROM.
Phone/WIFI SIGNAL strength cannot be objectively equated to bars. TBH it's an indication but does not guarantee anything.
Does it work well enough to use is the proof. If not then explore other avenues.

Is it not easier to go into settings/about phone/ networks
that shows you the true signal strength in Db and ASU

how to test which radio is best .

i live in bay area california . i search the topic like three days and got lots of information about best radio in different area . my question is how they know the one is best . is there some software in store can test it . i do not care the data speed so the software speedtest is not a support to say which is best for me . . the most important for me is a stable signal and best quality one . let me know the software , i will test out my seft.
by the way . anyone if already test them all and found which one is best , please put your choice radio and your area . this will help a lot for those noob who live near to you .

Download network signal and simply check your signal with different radios, you can get the pro version and enable logging for a four hours. Then you just check which radio gave you best and most stable signal and you stick to it. Also it's a matter of testing call quality and volume on your side and the other side with each radio.

i download it, but how do you know which one is better?? you means use each radio to call others and F E E L the differece and G U E S S which one is best?? that way is not accurate , right.

Reception wise you can see the dbm in network signal, the lower the number the better the signal is(around -60 is excellent, -75 is good and above it its getting cranky).
To know how the call quality you can only use your own ears there's no app/program that can tell you if you sound good and you can hear good. And its as accurate as it can get regarding yourself.
It's like you'll eat something, you think it's not tasty but someone else will love it, it's accurate only for you.

Actually that's exactly right. No two phones are exactly alike and your specific location will change the results as well. It's all personal preference.
Network signal info will give you the data to base your decision on, but then it's on you to pick a favorite
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Another option is to flash a new radio everyday you have a similar routine. Check the battery settings end of the day, there's a signal strength bar. Take a screen shot and tag it with the radio used that day. Compare them once you've tried them all and see which is best.
I would recommend this or screen shots of network Signal over back to back flashes and reading off 1 spot. A low spot for 1 signal may be another average and another's peak, find one that's best all around.
Sent from my SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

is the network signal accurate ? i saw it says -68 which is good and my state bar signal shows 0-1 bar . which one is more accurate ?

Dbm, it simply takes the reading from your phone, you could also see it under setting>about phone> status.
The number of bars is radio related, it's just a formula that changes on every radio on how many bars to disple with different dbm. Although it weird you are getting 0 bars which should be when you can't get any calls. Try leaving network signal open and watching the dbm graph, there's a chance you are getting signal drops here and there.

Signal levels on AOSP ROMs vs Stock?

Hey,
Sorry if this has been asked/answered before -- search is currently unavailable. Anyway, I notice that in CM 10.1 my phone's signal on Verizon is displayed with only 1 bar, and sometimes none (-110 dbm is the actual value). On stock I would get 1-2 bars in the same location, unfortunately I don't have the actual signal level from the stock ROM. Everything is working, but it seems the signal is lower on CM, has anyone else noticed this?
I've looked around on the forums at other devices and the general consensus seems to be that the stock roms are padded to make it appear as if you have more signal, so I don't think it's a problem -- just wondering what others have observed.
Thoughts/suggestions?
-- Dan

Cpudan80 said:
Hey,
Sorry if this has been asked/answered before -- search is currently unavailable. Anyway, I notice that in CM 10.1 my phone's signal on Verizon is displayed with only 1 bar, and sometimes none (-110 dbm is the actual value). On stock I would get 1-2 bars in the same location, unfortunately I don't have the actual signal level from the stock ROM. Everything is working, but it seems the signal is lower on CM, has anyone else noticed this?
I've looked around on the forums at other devices and the general consensus seems to be that the stock roms are padded to make it appear as if you have more signal, so I don't think it's a problem -- just wondering what others have observed.
Thoughts/suggestions?
-- Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, noticed the same thing on my XT926. I run the Eclipse AOSP Rom for Android 4.2.2 and I'm lucky to see signals between -70 dbm and -99 dbm. Most of the time it's negative triple digits.

Same
I'm seeing the same thing, I'm running the Avatar ROM (CM10.1) and mine keeps switching between 0 and like -104 dBm, but call quality seems perfectly fine. Not sure if you tried this, but go to the "Testing" phone info menu, enter *#*#4636#*#* in the dialer and click on phone info. That gives you a more real-time signal strength. Just because I'm curious, I might load up my stock image tomorrow and see what what that does to it...

tomas4512 said:
I'm seeing the same thing, I'm running the Avatar ROM (CM10.1) and mine keeps switching between 0 and like -104 dBm, but call quality seems perfectly fine. Not sure if you tried this, but go to the "Testing" phone info menu, enter *#*#4636#*#* in the dialer and click on phone info. That gives you a more real-time signal strength. Just because I'm curious, I might load up my stock image tomorrow and see what what that does to it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I did do the 4636 thing to get some #s. As you state, data/phone connectivity seems to be unaffected even though the singal bar is low (or even empty!). I wonder if there is a patch that we can get for CM to "fake" a higher signal? The low meter doesnt bother me -- but some non techy person might be quite perplexed

[Q] Radio signal strength ?

I do not really see this asked here to much (or maybe just missed it) but do the radio receivers get stronger with newer phones or does it vary depending on phone design?
I have a GS2 and I am hit or miss at work with signal in a few areas and was wondering if and how much more signal the N5 might pick up. I only ask because others with iPhones can usually get a signal when I am just in and out of signal range.

Poor signal strength

Just received my Xperia 5 II. I'm enjoying it so far but unfortunately one of the most basic requirements is letting it down, 4G signal strength. I'm on Vodafone and using the SIM in my Mate20 Pro I can gain full bars. However using the same SIM in this phone I barely get one bar with the status showing around 105 - 115 dBm. Out of curiousity I switched to GSM using the test menu and it dropped to 85 dBm. Anyone experiencing similar?
Thanks.

Bugsy46 said:
Just received my Xperia 5 II. I'm enjoying it so far but unfortunately one of the most basic requirements is letting it down, 4G signal strength. I'm on Vodafone and using the SIM in my Mate20 Pro I can gain full bars. However using the same SIM in this phone I barely get one bar with the status showing around 105 - 115 dBm. Out of curiousity I switched to GSM using the test menu and it dropped to 85 dBm. Anyone experiencing similar?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!! I have the terminal for about 1 week. I have the same problem. I have Vodafone Spain. I think it is a software problem because I have compared with a Realme x2Pro and the indicator is very good, the values ​​are similar in Xperia. So I think it is an OS problem. Without any coverage bars, the phone makes calls without problems. They are not cut or similar.

That's good to hear thanks! Hopefully Sony can be made aware of this and provide a software update! As I type this it's sat between 0 and 1 bar

Do you have Vodafone ROM? Flashing an original Sony ROM may fix the problem. Can be?

It's pretty much out of the box and updated to the latest software. Interestingly my H+ speed is twice as fast as my 4G speed!

I've just logged in to create a thread about this problem, and I see that I'm not the only one experiencing it. It's really frustrating, my previous device (essential) in the same spot with the same sim card, can achieve 3(!) times faster download speed
Sent from my XQ-AS52 using Tapatalk

Same problem here with wifi and 3g (h).
Waiting fix for this issue..

I want to think that it is a software problem. Seeing that there are many people with the same problem, I do not think that all the devices are bad.

Unless the issue is due to hardware by design. They might've opted for a cheaper antenna system that doesn't get enough signal. In that case we're screwed.

I read quite a few posts regarding the X1ii having the same issue, that doesn't give me much hope! Thankfully I'm in the 14 day return period so I will keep an eye on this thread and also the signal when I'm in the car etc.

I am experiencing the exact same issues on 4G LTE here in canada. And I don't understand what's going on because apart from my home going outside and using data exclusively I'm getting full speeds 4G plus no problem. However certain times of the day primarily during the evening I do have hiccups where I have dropped connection and it takes a while for the phone to just do its thing and then get to have the internet back. With regard to the low signal yeah I'm getting full service my phone calls are working properly text messages are sending but I'm only getting one to two or even zero bars on 4G LTE.
This is all on my brand new Sony Xperia 5 mark ii. I'm hoping the update to Android 11 or a couple of security patches down the line or lifespan of this device will fix this issue. But I'm going to try not to concern myself with it as of yet because again the one place I thought I wouldn't be able to get anything which is my use of the phone outside in public I was able to get full if not better service than anything I did at home. And at home it's not that bad either it's just one point in time the signal will cut off and drop.

thepersona said:
I am experiencing the exact same issues on 4G LTE here in canada. And I don't understand what's going on because apart from my home going outside and using data exclusively I'm getting full speeds 4G plus no problem. However certain times of the day primarily during the evening I do have hiccups where I have dropped connection and it takes a while for the phone to just do its thing and then get to have the internet back. With regard to the low signal yeah I'm getting full service my phone calls are working properly text messages are sending but I'm only getting one to two or even zero bars on 4G LTE.
This is all on my brand new Sony Xperia 5 mark ii. I'm hoping the update to Android 11 or a couple of security patches down the line or lifespan of this device will fix this issue. But I'm going to try not to concern myself with it as of yet because again the one place I thought I wouldn't be able to get anything which is my use of the phone outside in public I was able to get full if not better service than anything I did at home. And at home it's not that bad either it's just one point in time the signal will cut off and drop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have said it. He receives calls correctly and works perfectly. So I think it is a software bug. It does not mark the coverage well. The values ​​are similar on other devices. At least in my case.

The speeds I tested personally have huge differences, so at least for me, there is a significant difference
Sent from my XQ-AS52 using Tapatalk

Befree197 said:
You have said it. He receives calls correctly and works perfectly. So I think it is a software bug. It does not mark the coverage well. The values ​​are similar on other devices. At least in my case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am really hoping that it's a software bug and nothing more. Hopefully it will get addressed. it was interesting going into my local Telus having neither of the representatives in store know what VOLTE was. I was baffled I figured people that work there would have an idea of the services involved or bundled with what they're offering LOL but I think I'm better off dealing with tech support hahaha

I was browsing the XP 5 M2 forums here with the intend to import this phone to India as it seemed an excellent buy. Now after seeing the poor signal issue, I have my concerns. However, you can try doing the following and report back
1. Check "mobile network standby" usage under the battery settings. If the signal actually is too low, this value should be in high percentages -maybe above 10% of the overall battery consumption.
2. Download and install GSAM/BBS battery monitor app and check the standby drain per hour on 4G/LTE, keeping the phone idle overnight or not use it for an hour during day time. Ideally it should be less than 1-1.5%/hr during the day on idle and overnight should be less than 1.0%/hr on LTE. If this is the case, its only the signal bars and a software issue. Avoid measuring on WIFI as the drain is usually much less on wifi anyways.
3. Download and install 'Network Cell Info" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wilysis.cellinfolite) and check the actual strength with different phones at the same spot and same time. Cellphones do switch towers frequently even at the same spot. This app will give detailed info on the signal strength and towers (if your telco provides). It will also show where the towers are located approximately and you can compare phones on how they stack up in a similar setting.
4. Force 4g/LTE mode only under network preferences (if available). Check the dBm and ASU levels in this mode and see if it's any different from 5G/4G mode.
If the standby drain is low and the phone lasts a day or more on normal usage, then no need of worry, its the signal bars that are showing wrong. I'd like to hear back from you all as my purchase decision will be based on your feedback on standby drain.

Ah, finally the same issues as I am experiencing. I also have only one or sometimes zero bars. The people I call also tell me connection is bad. Sounds drop, we can't talk simultaneously and so on. Sometimes I can't even internet with wifi. I also hear people on the phone that sounds drop.
I don't feel comfortable about all the suggestions to enable or disable stuff in the default settings, set preferred network to only 4g or disables 5g;
1- I tried this but doesn't make a difference
2- This should work out of the box. I have several phones (samsung, Iphone, Oneplus) and none of these have these problems.
Sometimes I do have full bars, and the internet is very good. I noticed this yesterday. And once on the other side told me the quality was allright, but almost all the time the strength is zero to one bar and quality is really bad.
I also tried a new simcard, no difference. Vodafone also sent it to repaird and I got a complete boardswap, but no difference.

linom said:
I was browsing the XP 5 M2 forums here with the intend to import this phone to India as it seemed an excellent buy. Now after seeing the poor signal issue, I have my concerns. However, you can try doing the following and report back
1. Check "mobile network standby" usage under the battery settings. If the signal actually is too low, this value should be in high percentages -maybe above 10% of the overall battery consumption.
2. Download and install GSAM/BBS battery monitor app and check the standby drain per hour on 4G/LTE, keeping the phone idle overnight or not use it for an hour during day time. Ideally it should be less than 1-1.5%/hr during the day on idle and overnight should be less than 1.0%/hr on LTE. If this is the case, its only the signal bars and a software issue. Avoid measuring on WIFI as the drain is usually much less on wifi anyways.
3. Download and install 'Network Cell Info" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wilysis.cellinfolite) and check the actual strength with different phones at the same spot and same time. Cellphones do switch towers frequently even at the same spot. This app will give detailed info on the signal strength and towers (if your telco provides). It will also show where the towers are located approximately and you can compare phones on how they stack up in a similar setting.
4. Force 4g/LTE mode only under network preferences (if available). Check the dBm and ASU levels in this mode and see if it's any different from 5G/4G mode.
If the standby drain is low and the phone lasts a day or more on normal usage, then no need of worry, its the signal bars that are showing wrong. I'd like to hear back from you all as my purchase decision will be based on your feedback on standby drain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are some stats
https://i.ibb.co/2SwYRRg/mobile-network-standby.png
https://i.ibb.co/5jmytx3/standby-drain.png
https://i.ibb.co/WpztLJN/signal-strength.png
https://i.ibb.co/hdDg6nL/network-cell-info-xperia.png
https://i.ibb.co/RSQwn3Z/network-cell-info-pocophone.jpg

It's really disappointing for a phone that costs around 900 euros to suck at the most important task that it has to do. Yesterday I was sitting with a friend of mine that has an OnePlus 6T. He had full bars and I was between 1 and 2 bars. I haven't seen full bars ANYWHERE. I don't know what is wrong, I hope it's a software bug or something, but I'm not optimistic about that
Sent from my XQ-AS52 using Tapatalk

to compare signal quality you have to download netmonster, bars are not good to make a comparison, however compared to my old mate 20 pro the signal quality is good despite sometimes i have 1 bar if you open netmonster you can see good value, no complain at all , btw i live in Rome.

But I experience also bad quality. WiFi and cellular. My Samsung, iPhone and OnePlus didn't have problems with my WiFi also it's was weak upstairs, but my Sony has sometimes no WiFi at all.
And when calling, not over WiFi, sounds is bad, is dropping a lot.
Looks like Sony can't handle a weak signal as good as other phones?