Related
Looking at the results of the xda-developers pool I decided to get an XPeria as it clearly out shined all other phones. I got X1i this Saturday and was shocked about the poor signal strength. I was so looking forward to using this phone and keeping it but was more inclined in sending it back. Now after a couple of days just browsing the developers site which I am used to as I had an artemis before this. I see this was not the last of the problems. There have been mentions of overheating and GPS lag as well as the WIFI being rubbish. I have found the following problems
1. Signals fluctuating and mostly no service when in hand even in some good reception areas. Normally on H when in the carry case but switches to G as soon as held in hand.
2. GPS is frustrating. My artemis used to lock within seconds while having an upto date ephermis file. But even with AGPS and recently downloaded ephermis file, I had to wait over a minute to move off. It locked and then it lost and then it locked again(This was when it was in my hand). Once locked it was stable. It was on Google maps by the way.
Right for these, I have found a temporary solution and we have to work on it to make it a standard solution for all X1. Apparently the signals definitely fluctuate when you touch the lower metallic part on the back which has SE logo on it . The opinion on the forums here is that it may block the signal. I think otherwise as I have covered that area without touching the panel with my hand and there has been no signal drop but as soon as you have the slightest bit of flesh on that area the signal drops at least two bars. This led me to believe that there is an electric conduction or possibly u earth the antennas as they seem to be touching that panel from inside as it has been pointed out before.
So simple test was to put a cling film on that part and then test so I did and walah!! There was no signal drop and it worked flawlessly. I think it’s the same problem with GPS as well.
Now I couldn’t carry on using my phone half mummified. I had to take the cling film off. This is possibly the solution to everyone’s problem but I need someone to suggest either a plastic cover for that area or some sort of coating which does not conduct electricity. I think that will definitely sort the problem.
I think you've got a faulty X1 there mate..
Can you take it back to a store and compare it against another one?
The signal is weak on this compared to some other devices, (it's not as bad as the vario though), however I've never noticed a drop in signal by holding it, so I suspect somethings awry with the one you've got..
GPS signal is very very good with the later radios, what version have you got?
I get a lock within 2 seconds (8 seconds from hard reset or flashed a new rom), and it's very very accurate when it does lock.
My GPS works very well (better than htc cruise) also with previous radio.
So I think you have a fault X1, like say by fards.
I'm with Fards on this, I don't get issues when holding the phone and GPS is snappy.
crabby
Thanks guys. I know it has been discussed a million times before but I have compared the phone with other XPerias and it is the same. There are atleast 4 threads pointing out the same. My X1 would have better signals than my artemis as long as i dont touch the back base. Have you all got silver X1is? If so then can you check if you touch the back panel which i mentioned, if there is any fluctuation in the signals(its not instant it takes about 10 seconds for the phone to show the loss of signals).
I have updated radio to 55 and tried the two new stock roms which are R2A for O2 and 010 generic. The phone still looses signals but not completely when i touch the back panel.
About GPS, it does get a lock very quickly but looses it for a short while when i touch the back.
Anyway if someone else comes accross the same problem then please write here as I am sure there is a solution to be found. I was looking at the following
Clear coating
Antistatic spray coating
I must have missed those threads then.
I have a black x1, and definitely don't get any of those issues.
gps is steady and strong.. monitoring it now... as I type. 6 birds locked standing next to window in house hdop 0.6m which I think is very very good
gsm signal on 2 bars and steady
I had the same issue just once. And even when X1 was in the Brodit car holder.
In my case the soft reset was sufficient to solve the problem. But I guess that you already did that.
fards and pelriog? did you experience any fluctuation when touching the panel?
These are the links to threads
Thread1
Thread2
Thread3
Thread4
Same here, touch back panel, hold for 10 secs and signal drops 1 bar. Currently on 3G network, going from 2 bars to 1.
(And yes, my W810i gets a way better signal in low coverage areas. However, usually not a problem, since I hardly encounter Vodafone low coverage areas in The Netherlands).
Tested 5 times. Dutch Vodafone X1i, R2 stock ROM & stock radio.
Ok I did the touch the panel thing and my bars increased by one... hmmm perhaps there is another faulty batch out there as I get great signal (touch wood) and my gps is very responsive and accurate...
Silver X1 here.. Been touching it up for about 15 mins now
It does seem to drop by 1 bar when touched, but also drops if i just put my hand really close to the back without actually touching. hmm..
what concerns me more is how it just drops the whole line randomly and gives an x then has to search again. Lost a good few calls from that..
well here ive got no problem at all with signal.
But GPS does suck even though most people everywhere say X1 GPS is awesome.maybe it is just my zone/country.. could that be possible?
uhm.. of course not, their satellytes afetr all.
I have disassembled my X1 myself and found that under lower part of backside (piece that have SE logo) is an antenna of some kind.
The antenna is a thick circuit that ran on top of another piece of plastic that cover the loud speaker.
The circuit only have 2 contacts to the main PCB.
My guess is that the reception site of either GSM or GPS is on that part.(may be bluetooth or WiFi too, but I think that's not it)
I wonder what SE/HTC engineer is thinking, putting antenna on this part of the phone! (covered with my hand everytime I use it!)
The solution is "use bluetooth headset" and "hold your phone upside down" and you will be fine.
Yeah, mine loses a bar when touching the metal case at the back, I've not lost any calls (that I know of) because of this though.
I had a look under the speaker section myself last week, and can confirm the antenna circuit over the speaker section. Underneath there's also what looks like a tiny external antenna socket... we could mod our experias to have a rubber duck aerial? Who's up for walkie talkie lookalike xperia?
lol @ walkie talki and upside down. I think the designers have done a very poor job as far as the antenna location is concerned.
Tumpin does your phone loose all signals when in your hand?
Taking this seriously as suggested in my first post has anyone tried putting a cling film on or to that matter anything to cover that area and holding the phone. I did it with the cling film and there was no drop in the signal. So i think it is just a matter of us using some kind of invisible coating or cover on that area so there is no static conductivity. Look at post #5
I would appreciate if everyone gives there suggestions as well how to deal with it. For the people who took the phone apart you could have put something on the inner side to block the static discharge.
I returned my xperia for the second time for signal problems. The problems started after it was repaired for the crack in my case. After that the signal was very poor. GPS was not working in 90%. I wait for 15 minutes for signal, but the only thing that happend was heating the battery. Also HSDPA have a weak signal. In most times I only can use GPRS. The first time I returned the phone for this problem nothing changed. And this time I had a new crack in my case, so I hope they send me a new one!
Im using a X1a and I find its GSM/3G reception is really poor, I already upgraded the radio to the latest but its still the same poor poor reception. Specially when Im using the metal case I frequently get drop calls on my device
kanthai said:
I have disassembled my X1 myself and found that under lower part of backside (piece that have SE logo) is an antenna of some kind.
The antenna is a thick circuit that ran on top of another piece of plastic that cover the loud speaker.
The circuit only have 2 contacts to the main PCB.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious! Any chance that you see what for are the two metal plates contacts from the metal cover of the phone? Those near the SE logo. These two and the other two towards the camera are there for... what? The metal cover is used for something as when you rig in the phone and all four contacts are "online" but what for? Thanks!
I have a black X1i and noticed that reception increased when using it with the keyboard opened in horizontal position.
Same here, I tought it was because I open my metal case that is why reception goes up.
stevencyc said:
I have a black X1i and noticed that reception increased when using it with the keyboard opened in horizontal position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there guys, i currently have an issue with my recently purchased G2. Whenever i have the keyboard out holding vertically, i noticed my wifi signal started to decrease when i held at a certain position with my left hand. I usually have my left index finger resting on the side of the keyboard (top part of the phone), whenever i am holding it horizontally and i have noticed that the wifi drops considerable when doing so from 3 to 1, indicated by the wifi signal on the phone.
Any of you guys have the same problem? Try covering the top part of the phone or the left side of the phone if its held landscape (the area where t-mobile logo is) and tell me if your wifi strength decreases. Thanks guys!
youtube.com/watch?v=qdj2y9Fx_5o
(sorry won't allow me to post a link since I don't have at least 8 posts!)
Yes I have had issues with wifi whenever I cover the top part of the phone. Either when in landscape mode or hplding it to my head
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
I definitely see this. I don't even bother trying to play Pocket Legends on wifi.
I tried to google where the wifi antenna was, but gave up pretty quick - normally I have good "4g" coverage so I don't keep wifi turned on, even at home.
i dont think this phone even uses antenna's i opened up my phone before and there was nothing that looked like an antenna unless its inside the screen
My signal drops 1 bar by doing that as well. I assume its where the receiver is located
Sent from my SilverBullet "RootedHTCDesireZ"
Easy on the death grip! also get a stronger wifi router, pref an N router. it'll help you.
it's not even that i have my whole hand plastered on the side of the phone, it is just my index finger that is giving me only 1 bar of wifi, even if it is lightly rested..
I kind of noticed this too last night. I was laying on my bed, and replying to a post in a local forum. I typed in my reply using the HW keyboard, then submitted. Then it failed. I noticed that I was not connected via WiFi anymore. I closed the keyboard and changed switched to a different position, then poof, WiFi came back on.
However, I don't completely blame HTC for this, since my Router's signal (WiFi-N too) is not that strong up in up in my bedroom. So I guess the antenna is located somewhere near there, and when signal is not that good, it drops. Not that big of an issue for me though.
Uh... keyboard out and holding it vertically.... why would you ever hold it like this?
I'm guessing he means horizontally. I get the wifi signal to drop when I hold it like this. There is a hole on same cases near the bottom left (when held normally keyboard out) that gets covered by my hand. This seems to be the location of the wifi antenna.
Sorry i mean horizontally haha. I guess this is a common problem not a unit problem. Is there any fix for this? I use wifi whenever im home or work since it is faster but i find myself clicking links and going to web pages without my left hand placed on the phone (held horizontally) in order for the page to load up fast.
I'd understand if i was covering it fully or if my fingers were firmly pressed against it but this thing is just too damn sensitive!!
Finland_2_Cupertino said:
Easy on the death grip! also get a stronger wifi router, pref an N router. it'll help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy? The man can't hold his phone the way it was intended?
While this is an amazing phone, I'm regretting to learn that the radio equipment is pretty ****ty. It's such a disappointment. I have a top of the line router and live near a cell tower and still get poor reception. All my electronics are RF shielded and I live in a new home with little wireless noise. I know a thing or two about troubleshooting wireless challenges and I am absolutely positive that it's the radio hardware.
I've had friends bring over their devices, one being a DZ and it also performed poorly. Hoping that there's something software related that can be updated by HTC to fix this. Chances are slim though... thankfully I switch out phones every 4-6 months. Love my DZ other than this major flaw.
When I hold my DZ horizontally with keyboard open I either have all wifi bars or 1 less sometimes but it still works very well.
I had indeed to have a look at the icon when I read this thread to notice that I could lose 1 bar sometmes as I have never noticed any problem with wifi.
I have tried different ways of holding the phone and even when I try to cover wifi antenna location I don't always succeed in getting less bars.
Could it have to do with the fact that I'm a girl and have smaller hands so cover a smaller surface of the device?
I've posted a video on the problem.
I'm quite surprised that there is no other thread on this after realizing the number of people that have the same problem. I want to know if this is a problem for all users or only for certain defective G2s, so I know if should send it in.
missparker76 said:
When I hold my DZ horizontally with keyboard open I either have all wifi bars or 1 less sometimes but it still works very well.
I had indeed to have a look at the icon when I read this thread to notice that I could lose 1 bar sometmes as I have never noticed any problem with wifi.
I have tried different ways of holding the phone and even when I try to cover wifi antenna location I don't always succeed in getting less bars.
Could it have to do with the fact that I'm a girl and have smaller hands so cover a smaller surface of the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That could probably be the cause.
I was able to replicate the issue again, but now with better WiFi coverage. So yeah, I noticed that my signal bars drop 1 to 2 bars when using the HW keyboard, and it immediately pops back up to full strength when held in a portrait position. However, the AP that I was connected to was a G one, I think.
As for me, this isn't quite of a major issue for me yet. I only use the HW keyboard when doing SMS and typing in long info while browsing. Though it can be a pain when doing instant messaging on the phone.
I don't think the type of router is the cause, i think its just poorly placed and sensitivity of the wifi antenna. I tested it out on my university wifi and same result. The engineers failed on this one!
I noticed a drop of radio signal when using the hardware keyboard of my G1 (HTC Dream). IMHO there is nothing like a perfect place for a radio or an antenna in a smartphone. See the discussion going on regarding the signal drop of the iPhone 4, same thing. Every human being has different hands and holds a phone in another way, maybe similar but still different. There is no standardized hand, you know?
Just my opinion. :]
I purchased a Netgear WNDR3700 and set it up using both stock firmware and DDWRT customer firmware and did extensive testing, not just for G2/Desire Z testing but for my other wireless devices as well. I can assure you that the radio hardware and antenna placement/design are really lacking.
I've found that with my new wireless connection there is far more stability as I've never optimized my old router (Linksys WRT610 with DDWRT FW), but a definite loss in signal from the way the device is held. It really sucks, but it's not at bad as the mobile connection. I always have just a couple bars and then 0 bars, then it begins bandswitching and sucking some hardcore ****.
I really love the Desire Z otherwise but it looks like I need to hold out for the Motorola Atrix or the dual core LG Optimus coming out soon.
Me too
I see this drop in reception too, and sometimes a drop in 3G reception when I hold it certain ways. A bummer, but pretty much par for the course. I've never met a phone that doesn't suffer this same problem one way or another.
I just live with it. It's still a great device.
has anyone opened a bug ticket on HTC's site?
OK, after being so annoyed with the Navigation on this phone not working, I finally found a fix that is working for me and I am in shock that what I did produced a working GPS. First, anyone who doesn't know how to take apart the black cover (not the battery cover) do a search. Next, after removing the cover, the GPS Antenna without a doubt is one right next to the power button. I found this out by putting a piece of electrical tape over every gold connector that touches an antenna, then closing the black cover, turning on the phone, running gps test, and after trying different spring connectors, I noticed I had the correct one when the app GPS Test couldn't locate any satellites. Next, I also noticed that on the inside of the cover that I took off, the one that requires six screws, there is a silver looking strip that is supposed to make contact to the connector that has a full metal top part, so when the cover goes back on, the silver strip must make contact to this negative grounding harness top. I added a bead of solder to the silver strip on the inside of the black cover so that I knew it was making contact. I believe that this is a source of everyone's problems with navigation. That strip must be a shield and the design doesn't look like it makes good contact to the connector's ground metal plate. You'll see what I mean when you open the cover.
Next, while I had the cover off, I wrapped a 30 gauge wire around the gold spring pin that connects to the GPS antenna and ran that wire down the side of the phone right along the PC Board in hopes that it extends the antenna. I just ran it like 3 inches and remember, I ran it down, not up. The GPS antenna already goes up. I put a tiny bead of solder on the wire where it contact the gold spring contact that is attached to the PC Board so that it does not come off accidentally. And believe me, it is really simple. You cannot mess anything up. Just a dab of solder is all it takes.
I put the black cover back on, and then ran the GPS test app and at one point I had 12 satellites read and used with a 7 foot accuracy!!! Next I went to the Navigation app and started playing around with different addresses and my navigation WORKED!!! I am still in awe three days later. I drove from New Jersey to Rhode Island yesterday and had the Nav running for the entire trip. Only one time did I get a small circle about the size of a half inch which lasted for 4 seconds. At that point, I was driving though a forest type side road with limited sky view.
Please try this fix for anyone who has Navigation issues with their Nexus S and let me know if it fixes it.
Dan
Awesome. Samsung should have hired you before they released the Nexus S and 1st-gen SGS phones. My Captivate never had reliable GPS. I might as well have had Ray Charles giving me directions.
Funny thing is Google nexus phones are bugged...
Nexus one multi touch bug
Nexus s compass not working...
I think the issue here is with whoever was choosing and picking the hardware that would have powered a nexus...
HTC and Samsung do not surprise me... But Google not testing the compass on a flagship phone before releasing scares me :-\
Luckily my gps works fine (i9023 here) but the broken compass create a lot of troubles with gps navigation as very often the phone thinks to be driving in the reverse direction...
The nexus one digitizer wasn't a bug. Just a crappy digitizer. It worked as it meant to. It sucked but wasn't a bug.
The GPS and compass issues for the nexus s are different as well. Some devices have crappy ones and apparently don't work. My GPS and compass works perfect on the other hand. Always has
evcz said:
Funny thing is Google nexus phones are bugged...
Nexus one multi touch bug
Nexus s compass not working...
I think the issue here is with whoever was choosing and picking the hardware that would have powered a nexus...
HTC and Samsung do not surprise me... But Google not testing the compass on a flagship phone before releasing scares me :-\
Luckily my gps works fine (i9023 here) but the broken compass create a lot of troubles with gps navigation as very often the phone thinks to be driving in the reverse direction...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have problems with navigation, even tho i hardly ever use it. However, this compass thing; I downloaded an app called Smart Compass and it works really well... Where I know it's north, the compass points north and so on. but mind you, I got my phone after companies stopped selling it so I might've gotten the last of the good batch
Could you post a photo of the finished fix so I can check if I'm going to fry something ? Thanks !
@VOLTAGEROCK:
post some photos for better help if it's possible, before and after modifications please
thanks in advance
I will but gimme a day or two. All I know is I'm on day five and its still working!
wow
Sent from my
RESSURECTED Nexus S
CM10 NIGHTIES
DmA81 said:
Could you post a photo of the finished fix so I can check if I'm going to fry something ? Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have at the time of doing it, but I didn't know what i was doing was going to work!! Now I have to take the phone apart again, but you give me a reason to hook up my Touchstone from the Pre while the phone is open and accessible. I will do my best to put the pics up in a timely manner and in the meantime, if there's anyone out there, go to the iteardown fix it (i think that's what its called) and look at the video or pics of the Nexus being taken apart.
Again, I have no reason to believe that I didn't fix the problem as it's working everytime, when it wouldn't work at all before the mod. When you're looking at the phone from the back, the GPS antenna location has a letter G engraved into the black cover after the battery cover has been taken off. It's right below the electrical type tape that covers the antenna FYI.
*#*#gpsclrx#*#* always fixed my gps woes and i had a lot. no hardware mod required.
Sputnikk23 said:
*#*#gpsclrx#*#* always fixed my gps woes and i had a lot. no hardware mod required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does that do by the way.? Because my mod works everytime and you never have to use the code you just put up. Even though I appreciate you putting that there. Also, what type of problems were you having with your navigation? Did it work periodically? Did it never work like mine? Just curious as to the problem you had with your navigation. Thanks
Dan
I can confirm this hardware mod fixed voltages gps. He's gone thru 2 nexus s phones and both GPS would constantly lose the position every few minutes then reacquire, and show a huge circle for his position. Somehow this hardware mod fixes some design issue with the nexus s where a shielding isn't properly grounded. And also he extended the GPS antenna with a wire for good measure.
By the way it was the sprint nexus s 4g he modified.
Please post pictures to go with your narrative. I would like to try this!
O
RogerPodacter said:
I can confirm this hardware mos fixed voltages gps. He's gone thru 2 nexus s phones and both GPS would constantly lose the position every few minutes then reacquire, and show a huge circle for his position. Somehow this hardware mod fixes some design issue with the nexus s where a shielding isn't properly grounded. And also he extended the GPS antenna with a wire for good measure.
By the way it was the sprint nexus s 4g he modified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification nation, Podact.
VOLTAGEROCK said:
What does that do by the way.? Because my mod works everytime and you never have to use the code you just put up. Even though I appreciate you putting that there. Also, what type of problems were you having with your navigation? Did it work periodically? Did it never work like mine? Just curious as to the problem you had with your navigation. Thanks
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wipe gps data. not the same thing as the gps status wipe (which didn't work for me). try it, doesn't really hurt anything. seems a software code is worth a shot then opening up the phone you know?
Some ROMs it never worked. Other ROMs it was sporadic. When I would get it to work, it always eventually "lost" its ability to lock, etc.
But hey.. if you want to get all hyper-sensitive over your mod.. go for it. Was just throwing another method out there for the faint of heart.
Sputnikk23 said:
wipe gps data. not the same thing as the gps status wipe (which didn't work for me). try it, doesn't really hurt anything. seems a software code is worth a shot then opening up the phone you know?
Some ROMs it never worked. Other ROMs it was sporadic. When I would get it to work, it always eventually "lost" its ability to lock, etc.
But hey.. if you want to get all hyper-sensitive over your mod.. go for it. Was just throwing another method out there for the faint of heart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sensitive as I cried at your remark, and then I got really hyper and started running in circles with joy that my nav works. So I guess you're right, I am hypersensitive! Btw, I was being nothing but nice to your reply. Its OK. I forgive you.
Pics requested
Check out the pics. One of them shows some solder on the silver shielding so it makes better contact with the connector when they close back up. The other shows a 30 gauge red wire soldered to the gps pin and running down the phone. Hope this clears up what you guys need to do to get the gps to finally work on this dag gone phone.
.I've been using navigation and never had such a problems.my gps always locking under 10sec and doesn't loosing signal.
Btw i live in UK and using nav in big city.
Do a search for Nexus S 4g on sprint nav problems and you'll see a whole slew of people with problems.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda app-developers app
The Wi-Fi signal on my I9505 is terribly weak. Sitting at the same desk the router is on - full signal; Walk 3-4 meters away - signal drops to 1 line; Go to a different room - disconnects due to no signal. I can only see 3 networks at 1 signal line while on another phone I get 11 networks - all with signal at 2+ lines.
My router is perfectly fine (works as expected and has great coverage on other phones/laptops - it still gives off great signal if I go next door/above/below me).
Phone software side I'd say is fine too, but I'm not 100% sure:
Issue happens both on latest WizCyan (TW based) and on latest RR (CM14 based), both using different kernels.
Currently on XXUHPG1 bootloader and baseband. PDA version is XXUPPI1 (according to the "Phone INFO" app).
Hardware side, I've tried a few things - bent all of the golden springs I could find just a tiny bit upwards, tried to clean the gray contacts on the mid bezel as best as I could (dry microfiber) - they weren't dirty or anything, but they seem scratched/shiny where the spring would have come into contact, is that bad? (I can take pictures if necessary)
I even flipped the blue antenna wire around (though I think that one only affects cell signal).
I also have to note that there's something wrong with my Wi-Fi IC / mobo because sometimes it stops working altogether (won't turn back on), needing a reboot or physical intervention. I doubt that would affect signal strength, as long as it's actually turning on, I guess?
Edit:
SOLVED!
Well, this is probably a very unique/fringe case - I found out there was a crack in my motherboard, just below one of the antenna connectors. I also found out that pushing down on where the crack is relinks the motherboard connections and gives back the full Wi-Fi signal. So I "ghetto-rigged" a piece of plastic to push down on the crack when I put the mid-bezel back in, and it seems to be working for now. Hope it holds up and doesn't cause other issues.
Actually, it could affect signal strength. You might want to check your antenna wire running down the right side of the battery compartment and make sure it isn't broken or partly disconnected.
You should also note that some phones have better antennas, thus having better reception.
So comparing it to a different phone isn't really a good way to measure the effectiveness.
Took some pics, I've no idea if they're of any help. Maybe somebody can tell if there's something wrong.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Actually, it could affect signal strength. You might want to check your antenna wire running down the right side of the battery compartment and make sure it isn't broken or partly disconnected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the wire I had flipped around. I even disconnected it to see if there's a difference, and it only weakened the cell signal. Full cell signal when I put it back. No change regarding Wi-Fi. If I run the phone with the mid bezel off, I only get 2 lines even next to the router, and it doesn't even connect - so I suppose the mid bezel antennas connect?
Pwnycorn said:
You should also note that some phones have better antennas, thus having better reception.
So comparing it to a different phone isn't really a good way to measure the effectiveness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, still, from full signal to 1/0 lines as soon as I go from my desk (and router) to my bed 5m away isn't right. Wi-Fi reception used to be as good on my S4 as on the other phones. (I can't remember exactly when this started.)
I believe you have a radio chip issue. Something that software cannot fix.
Solved. Thank you for trying to help.
@cLick1338: Telling people you solved the issue without revealing the solution doesn't help anyone who may come across this thread in the future. So how did you solve it?
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
@cLick1338: Telling people you solved the issue without revealing the solution doesn't help anyone who may come across this thread in the future. So how did you solve it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had edited the first post. Figured it would be most visible for such people.
cLick1338 said:
I had edited the first post. Figured it would be most visible for such people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you edited it yesterday I wouldn't have noticed it. The XDA app automatically drills down to the first unread post and I don't always think to scroll back up.
Sorry.
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
I put my GPS antenna under the roof liner on passenger side.
Modern cars have laminated, coated windscreens that attenuate radio signals.
Having pretty steady reception.
Sent from my Nokia 7 plus using Tapatalk
90Ninety9 said:
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mine inside one of the clearance lights on my truck. Not sure what you drive but maybe there is a creative option. I would think in the dash, up against the HU, would be about the worst reception so anything will be an improvement.
I have mine behind the cover for the a pillar to the left of the windscreen, I just popped the pillar cover off and stuck some double sided tape on the antenna and then job done when I popped the pillar cover back on. Gets full signal all the time.
If you’ve got it on the headunit there will be too many obstructions/Interference.
Behind the rear view mirror would be ideal to be fair.
You should just put it on top of your dash for a day or two to try it and if it works fine then you know the problem is because of where you’ve currently got it.
90Ninety9 said:
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
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The gps signal is quite a complicated one which is subject to among other things; multipathing (signals bouncing off other things and confusing the situation) For that reason your antenna should be mounted as high as possible with as few obstructions as possible with the widest angle towards the sky. In other words outside and center on the roof would be the best place. Now understandably people don't want to drill holes through their roofs or even have the antennas visible.... but the closer you get to that point, the less error you will have.
Inside the dash on top of the radio has to be about the WORST place you can think of.
mines just jammed behind my head unit and works fine.
I have mine also behind the HU hidden in the dash. Work's great. The only issue i have is, when i didn't use the GPS for some hour's. It is like the GPS Antenna would be in deep sleep mode. It takes some minutes until i have a 3D Fix, it shows satellites, but won't connect. After 2-5 minutes it works fine.
Do you have also this kind of issue at cold start?
tomygunner said:
I have mine also behind the HU hidden in the dash. Work's great. The only issue i have is, when i didn't use the GPS for some hour's. It is like the GPS Antenna would be in deep sleep mode. It takes some minutes until i have a 3D Fix, it shows satellites, but won't connect. After 2-5 minutes it works fine.
Do you have also this kind of issue at cold start?
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It sounds similar to the issue historically . Would work when I was testing , though the unit would be on for several minuites ( updates patches ect)
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Cant see how A pillar or Rear view mirror would make much difference , since its doing the same ( going though a window)
90Ninety9 said:
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
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Yes, but just because that's where installers put it doesn't mean it isn't the worst* place. It is the easiest place that requires no fishing and is invisible to the user. I don't believe anyone is saying it won't work there - just that it will work better in a less obstructed location and that if you are having signal issues the first thing to test is moving it to an open location and comparing. It's an easy and informative test. When hidden inside the dash, the performance can vary by make/model.
*"Worst" being within reason. Arguably inside the oil pan could be considered the worst or possibly at home on your desk...
90Ninety9 said:
It sounds similar to the issue historically . Would work when I was testing , though the unit would be on for several minuites ( updates patches ect)
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Cant see how A pillar or Rear view mirror would make much difference , since its doing the same ( going though a window)
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Direct line of sight from the front, not the back.
8 times out of 10 there are lots of satellites in the (clear) sky in your area to get a good lock, all works fine and the installers get away with being lazy. That however doesn't mean the install was proper. Look at it this way... there is a reason why they supply these antennas with long cords, and I assure you that reason has little to do with bundling up the cord so the antenna sits a foot away from the radio.
I put mine on top of the A/C vent tube above the head unit. I also added a flat piece of sheet metal under the antenna and on top of the vent tube for a ground plane. So the antenna is directly under the center of the dash and there is no metal in the dash above it. The sheet metal under the antenna makes a big difference. Try just setting your antenna on top of your dash and test the signal strength. Then put a metal plate under it and try again. For me I saw a difference with the metal plate.