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[Q] Struggling with Reception.

I have not done anything software wise to my phone, its still a factory rom and radio for ATT... now my issue is I'm struggling all the time with reception with this phone. I don't remember it being this bad when I first got it and now its just becoming a huge annoyance.
I'll have phone calls breaking up with a display showing 3-4 bars of service and also having troubles sending txt messages quite often.
I'm in an area that is labeled as HPSA coverage area and my "voice" coverage map for my area is not bad at all... for example where I work is listed as "BEST" coverage and if I walk outside I'll have 2 maybe 3 bars of service.
There is nothing visibly wrong with my antenna/sim cover but should I attempt to replace it and see if that could be causing the problem?
There is nothing out there on the web for improving reception on a Inspire 4G phone and there is now way to shut off the HPSA and revert to 3G, but at the same time I really should have to since my whole state is covered with blue for HPSA coverage.
Any input on things that I can try would be great.
Thanks.

BerettaFreak said:
I have not done anything software wise to my phone, its still a factory rom and radio for ATT... now my issue is I'm struggling all the time with reception with this phone. I don't remember it being this bad when I first got it and now its just becoming a huge annoyance.
I'll have phone calls breaking up with a display showing 3-4 bars of service and also having troubles sending txt messages quite often.
I'm in an area that is labeled as HPSA coverage area and my "voice" coverage map for my area is not bad at all... for example where I work is listed as "BEST" coverage and if I walk outside I'll have 2 maybe 3 bars of service.
There is nothing visibly wrong with my antenna/sim cover but should I attempt to replace it and see if that could be causing the problem?
There is nothing out there on the web for improving reception on a Inspire 4G phone and there is now way to shut off the HPSA and revert to 3G, but at the same time I really should have to since my whole state is covered with blue for HPSA coverage.
Any input on things that I can try would be great.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hpsa is basically 3g just optimized packet transmission. You can change your phone to run on edge network (which is why i personally do because then i can get a ton more battery life) Also it doesnt matter what your area is 'claimed' to be for coverage, there are a ton of outside factors that influence your signal. What you can do is take the bottom cover off and clean the gold contacts on the phone itself with alcohol and using something metal, lightly scrape the cover-side contacts to shine up the metal (but not removing the material itself)

Well aware of all the things you mentioned, as well as I've tried cleaning the contacts multiple times. Used an eraser on the cover side to polish the contacts and got no improvement with signal. I also can not find any way to shut off HPSA or 3G on this phone... and I've read that with the AT&T Inspire it's not possible. I'd love to switch to Edge when at work because as you said it would extend battery life immensely.
But I guess the real issue is I never had these problems before with any of my phones or this one at first, granted I have some dead spots which I'm well aware of and accept since I do live in the hilly north east corner but to have this phone degrade with signal over the time I've had it just seems a bit odd.
I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced signal loss with an Inspire 4G over the life of the phone without having any physical damage done to it. As well as having much less signal strength in comparison to other phone models.
I'm contemplating getting a new phone but I want to ensure that whatever I get would have better reception. I'm close to my 2yr resign IIRC and when I do find out that date I will probably replace this.
Its just the whole antenna on the Inspire seems to be lacking and very small in my mind, and placed very badly.

*#*#4636#*#* dial this and get into your config menu. change network type to edge/gsm i think it is? been a while since ive used stock ui
fyi the antenna is supposed to be small as it has to be designed to receive certain frequency. antenna length has to do with what signal it is using. bigger is not better
theres an app on market called 2g/3g toggle. it will put a button on your screen to take u to that menu screen instantly

That worked but which network do you switch to, It was on WCDMA Preferred
Also that app only brings me to the network settings in the phone, not to this menu.
I selected "GSM Only" for now to see what it does.

BerettaFreak said:
That worked but which network do you switch to, It was on WCDMA Preferred
Also that app only brings me to the network settings in the phone, not to this menu.
I selected "GSM Only" for now to see what it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct, gsm only will keep you on edge network. if you want your regular hspa+ setting just change it back to wcdma preferred

I'm all of a sudden having no service, i think at&t is having issues.

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
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Moving to Q&A

This is a matter of interest to me as well. I've been looking at some videos for "fixing" the reception of other phone models by finding the gold contacts and extending the "antenna" by attaching a piece of aluminum foil to the antenna points. Now with the Inspire, the contact points are in the battery cover, but you'd have to open the unit itself to see anything more than that. I'm thinking that some reception problems may be due to worn contacts. I'd be interested in what kind of substance would be appropriate for "restoring" the contacts. Also I'd be interested if someone *has* opened up the unit and "extended" the antenna with something like aluminum foil.

From what I could gather the cell antenna is actually on the bottom cover for the SIM an SD cards. All I did was use an eraser on the contacts to clean them up and yes I did try to lay down foil to extend the antenna but from what I have read regarding radio's and such the antenna size and shape is specific to the signal its trying to pick up, so that could either work great or fail completely when you try to extend it. It did not help for my situation at all.
Lately the phone will not send txt's with one bar of HPSA or just on Edge which makes no sense to me and also I'm quite often only getting one bar unless I can see a tower right next to me which is a bit sad and I do not remember having this issue before.
Also changing the preferred network did not prevent it from using or wanting to go to HPSA while I'm at work. It would operate the same as before. Its impossible to get this phone to stick on regular 3g which I feel I have better coverage of that network in my area.
I'm contemplating rooting the phone and trying some different radio's on it to see if that will help me at all.
I never had this many signal issues with my 3Gs and I'm contemplating going back to that phone until I can upgrade again since this is just so aggravating... More so than having to have the same txt sounds as everyone else with an iPhone.

I think it us just AT&T having problems on their side. Some days I gave great reception, and others it struggles to maintain one bar all day. Its getting very annoying for me, and I probably won't be with them for much longer...Verizon looks much better right now.

[Q] Note II clone - Problem weak signal (low)

Hi guys I have for almost a month buy a clone of Note II (GT N7100 ) MTK 6577.
It's identical to the original firmware 4.0 (in the info says 4.1 but it is not), but the problem is as follows:
I have problems with signal reception. The signal is very weak, and does not ever tried it on a phone identical (bought two) and the other does my card and conversely his card in my not work, so it's a reception problem with my phone.
My question is, is there a way to solve? Update firmware, change ROM, put the code in the PAD or tell me. I would like to work out why it is very important for me and I hope in you.
Thanks to all for your cooperation

I just reset the phone... other solution?

If i force network operator with the code in the pad phone?

Probably it's a manufacturing defect, my brother order a Note 2 clone(GT-T700) and the phone came with phone and wi-fi signal problems. Sometimes the signal come and go in both signals. My brother (using reference photos) opened the and saw that the phone signal cable was not properly placed.
Right now he is trying place properly the signal cable and he is trying to work on the wi-fi signal

damn ... to tell the truth even wifi and really poor ... do you think it is difficult to fix it?

No GSM signal, 3G/LTE works

Hello guys and girls,
after experiencing some GPS problems (loss of signal on the road and/or late fix) I did the fix found on youtube (Where you place a bit of paper/tape under the GPS antenna contacts). It worked just fine, my GPS fix is now happening faster and I did not lose the signal ever since. But I am now facing some (weird?) problem: My GSM connection (GRPS, EDGE) is really really bad. In my room I don't get any signal at all, outside I get like 1 out of 4 bars of signal strength, but I lose it after a few seconds. I normally have 4 out of 4 bars in my room. BUT: My 3G connection works fine, 3G, LTE, same connectivity as before.
My friends phone (same carrier) does get the full GRPS/EDGE connection in my room, so it's not the carrier having problems. I didn't do any updates or anything in the last weeks. It would be a huge coincidence, if a software bug happened while I fixed the GPS problem, so I assume it's a hardware related thing?
How might I fix that, what possible solutions are there?
Tried the following so far:
Restarting multiple times, with our without airplane mode
Re-inserting the sim-car
Switching between LTE only, GSM/LTE, GSM only
Flashing new/other modem
Replacing the speaker/antenna-module
-> nothing changed

out of sheer curiousity, and after reading your post, im stuck wondering.. why do you want or need your gprs and edge connection when your 3G/LTE is fine? data speeds are very slow, and drain lots of battery using anything internet or download related..

Yeah, sure, 3G/LTE is better and coverage is really good where I live, that's why it's not an emergency for me, but it's very important to get it back to work properly.
I know at least 2 situations where I really need GSM (GPRS,EDGE):
1) At work (huge metal building, no 3G/LTE, only GSM) -> I can't call, text or do anything with my phone (don't worry, I am allowed to do so and no, there is no WiFi)
2) On the road, especially the german autobahn has large areas where there is no 3G/LTE coverage, so I can't use my navigation-software properly and can't respond to calls or whatsoever
So all in all: GSM in really important for me. Please help me. :crying:

ahh.. I see.
and your GPRS/edge was fine before the GPS "fix"? maybe something got loosened?

Before I did the fix it worked perfectly fine. Directly after I did it, the gsm was gone so I figured that I somehow damaged the antenna. But since I replaced it and nothing changed I am not sure what to do now. Are there other antennas, are there other modules that influence gsm, that I might have damaged or loosened?

That's what can happen when you tinker with guts of your phone. You risk damaging or messing it up. Sorry, I don't mean to sound like a jerk.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Yes, dave2metz, I know. I was fully aware of that when I opened my phone for the first time to fix the GPS thing. But I am not here for moral advice.
Any ideas how I could fix my problem are highly appreciated!
Edit:
Just checked: The sim-card is not the cause of the problem either. I would really appreciate some good ideas guys..

No idea what I might try?
My best guess is that this is a hardware related problem. But how does one fix it? I replaced the antenna (the bottom thing), nothing changed. So that specific antenna was not the cause of the problem.
Are there other antennas?
Are there antenna-connections that I could check?
Any other hardware things that I might check?
Anything that might have lost the physcical contact inside the phone because of that GPS fix?
Could it, against all odds, be a software problem?
Please, I am really in need of a working phone. If I can't fix it I need to replace it sooner or later because GSM is essential.
If anyone can provide me with an idea or something that leads me to a fix, I will reward you (amazon gift-card or whatsoever).
Cheers,
.yasu

Did you figure it out?
.yasu said:
No idea what I might try?
My best guess is that this is a hardware related problem. But how does one fix it? I replaced the antenna (the bottom thing), nothing changed. So that specific antenna was not the cause of the problem.
Are there other antennas?
Are there antenna-connections that I could check?
Any other hardware things that I might check?
Anything that might have lost the physcical contact inside the phone because of that GPS fix?
Could it, against all odds, be a software problem?
Please, I am really in need of a working phone. If I can't fix it I need to replace it sooner or later because GSM is essential.
If anyone can provide me with an idea or something that leads me to a fix, I will reward you (amazon gift-card or whatsoever).
Cheers,
.yasu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you end up figuring anything out for this? I have something along the same lines. I dropped my phone and smashed the screen. I was able to get a guy to replace the screen portion of the unit, but immediately after I got it back it had no cell reception. Rebooted came, back thought everything was cool.
After a couple weeks I notice my phone has lost reception occasionally. It's now gotten worse, I used to be able to reboot it about 5 or 6 times and then it would randomly come back. I've even had it come back without performing a reboot on its own.
I ended up taking the whole thing apart, reseating everything after having a day and half span where I have been unable to get it back and boom reception came back. Thought it was his repair job at that point, but it has since dropped the signal again and I can't get it back. Yesterday even I was showing LTE signal changing from low to strong etc, but my network was still down as I couldn't perform a search, maps, or anything.
I have my phone apart again. I've checked all the connections over and over and wondering what else to look for or try to replace. True my impact could have damaged a component on the mainboard, but my phone works fine in all other areas. I could replace the antenna wires and the antenna/speaker module, but I'm not sure it just a reception problem.
My phone also boots into airplane mode when it has no signal, but turning it off does not restore the connection or anything. Rebooting it puts it back into airplane mode. *#*#4636#*# shows my radio is off. Thinking it's a short or something somewhere, but I doubt I'll be able to fix it in that case - at least without a mainboard?
That's my other question, what part need to be replaced for experiencing no network and its not the antenna or antenna wires? Is the mainboard? Sister board? Currently researching teardown as this phone is modular and I'm sure I could source the part off ebay or something.

Hi,
There's one antenna for 2G/3G/4G so I think if this problem was caused by hardware, it would affect overall connection to mobile network.
I think that this might me software-related problem but actually can't figure out which. Only thing I'm currently thinking of it that your phone has problems with connecting to certain GSM band. For example in Europe are 900 MHz and 1800 MHz standard for GSM.
Lower frequencies bring you better coverage. Your phone might have trouble with connecting to them and automatically selects 1800 MHz layer.
If you are able to get another phone with SIM of the same network provider, I recommend you to download any networking app and compare data about cells. Mainly CID number. It's unique identifier of each cell in an area.
If both phones are connected to same cell (CIDs are equal), you have to compare RSSI values. Lower means better signal. RSSI is defined as a negative number in an interval of <-51; -113>. So -75 dBm is better than -89 dBm. In one place should be difference about +/- 5 dBm.
Reaching slightly different RSSI numbers while connected to same cell in same place might mean that your phone really have problems with radio.

hey mate,
My wife phon is having the same issue 4G works, 3G sort of works, 2G nothing.
[Did the GPS fix on my wife's Nexus 5 (and mine) also]
swapped sim, used another telco same issue.
when into service menu did *#*#4635#*#* , click the 3 dots, select radio band - only see USA band.
While my phone had automatic, usa bad , usa band, japan band.
she is running stock rom with unlocked boot loader, I am on CM11 but doubt that should make any difference.
if I work out what is going on will report back.

nexus 5 3g 4g damaged
hello guys?.. my htc nexus 5 got wet and i notice the signal strength got lost. when i open it up i notice the lines on the antenna got damage. how do i repair it? or should i replace it with new one? Pls help !! 

Is issue still remaining?

Hi. I am having the same problem. Could anyone find a fix for this?
My GPS was and is fine. I didn't do the gps fix, but I have replaced my battery and I think it happened after the replace...

No 4G - call drop outs - Poor battery

Hey all,
A mate of mine has a S6. Since new, he has had constant issues. He never has 4G, (on Telstra in Australia), and when he makes phone calls, as soon as the person answers, it cuts out. At the most, a phone call will last 1minute.
We have ruled out the SIM as being an issue and all the APN's are correct.
Telstra want to send the phone off to Samsung, which will result in nothing being done and they are saying there is a six week turn around!
What are the chances it is software related, rather than hardware?
If the general consensus is that it is software, I might flash a new ROM onto it for him.
If hardware, I suppose he has no option but to hand it in and play the Samsung game of, 'No fault found,' or, 'it is water damaged'.
We were on Glenferrie Rd today, (Malvern, Melbourne), and I had full 4G while he had no reception at all. Nothing. Not even 1bar.
Due to the poor reception, his battery life is pathetic. With barely any usage, he'll get 6 hours out of it. Android system seems to be the main culprit when you look at the battery usage.
He has already done a factory reset.
Is this a common issue and would it be worth flashing a new ROM?

It sounds like a hardware issue. You shouldn't need to mess about with it to use its fundamental features. Your phone carrier should have records of your complaints, use that as a case to get them to replace your mates s6. The bottom line is that if they sold you a defected device they need to replace rather than send it off for repairs. It's a bummer but I'll go down this route if I were your mate; consumer's rights etc..
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Sounds like the network to me which would also explain why the battery is working harder

I would go into a telstra shop (big one in city seems to be good) and ask them to replace it...

OPO Intermittently connects to 3G/4G, 2g network always working

Hello,
I have a problem with my OPO that has been going on for months now (I suspect it's hardware based? but not sure)
My opo can always connect to 2g network
My opo can only connect for a limited time to 3G/4G networks. If i change the network type, I get internet alright for about an hour or so. After some time or event (can't find a pattern), the phone is suddenly disconnected from mobile internet (even though data is ON), but my reception indicator is full. I also cannot place calls or get called: when I try calling, I get either a textbox "network unavailable" or the call attempt just ends on it's own without result. I'll call this state "fake 4g"
Here's what I have already tried:
-reboot, flash other rom, factory reset
-downgrade and upgrade TWRP back again
-messing around with 4636 (but i think i haven't tried switching to US band and back to EU - i'm from europe). Note: the interface shows precisely one cell tower when i'm connected to fake 4g
-going back full stock (flashing a version of cm prior to YOGPAS1N0) in order to update the radio. I even installed oxygen at some point
-pulling a logcat. However, this problem (other than the fact that i have only have a basic grasp of IT) is that I cannot exactly pinpoint WHEN fake 4g occurred without looking at the screen/placing a call. I managed to determine fake 4g came up between 4:55 and 5:46, which is still a heck of a logcat. In order to generate some logcat chatter, i've placed a few unsuccessful calls during fake 4g period (i've pinpointed those logs)
Does anyone have any idea as to the cause of this bug (not entirely sure it's hardware based because it works, well, sometimes...)? Or can anyone maybe tell me what to look for in that 50 minute logcat? I guess I can always have another logcat run in the weekend and check every 5 mins until i can spot fake 4g happening.
Note: I haven't opened it to check whether the antenna is plugged or anything (not that i would see much, i think). Anyway, i can always do it if need be.
Thanks in advance

I have been having a similar problem, the LTE range keeps fluctuating from zero to 3/4th to full from time to time, even when the phone is lying stable. Range appears well when on 3g. It isn't sim card based as iv'e tried various sim ,phone combinations.
Also i have noticed many topics appearing in the past few months regarding network issues ... some kind of a pattern ?

Ah yeah I forgot to mention that I tried the simswap trick too, to no avail.
So you're suggesting the hardware antenna might be of poor quality, that might be the case. If so, I suppose the antenna cannot be easily changed (ie incorporated in mobo or whatever).
Does anyone know whether antennae are prone to fail in general?

Loladin0 said:
Ah yeah I forgot to mention that I tried the simswap trick too, to no avail.
So you're suggesting the hardware antenna might be of poor quality, that might be the case. If so, I suppose the antenna cannot be easily changed (ie incorporated in mobo or whatever).
Does anyone know whether antennae are prone to fail in general?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.If there hasn't been anything that could damage the hardware,no.
Have you tried changing firmwares?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-one/general/firmware-modem-oneplus-one-t3462214

Even i am facing the similar kind of problem and posted my question here https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-one/help/internet-issues-intermittently-unable-t3714911. One more thing to note is if you try tethering with laptop the internet works just fine (it happens with my device) . Even i have tried many combination with 4636 interface but i really can't understand the reason behind it.

Flash latest modem firmware... Then *#*#4636#*#* ..then on phone change signal to 3g only or LTE only..
Helped me from losing signal