So under black tape behind the battery cover, there are external ports called "R2" "G" and "R1". I found that the plugs are compatible with a Samsung A717.
While researching, I found the ports are compatible with plugs for the Samsung A717 and can be found HERE.
My thoughts were, to build a home made signal antenna/booster similiar to THIS.
There is very little info that I could find on this, so I thought i'd reach out to the community to see if anyone knows what port is for an external antenna... and also, if anyone know of a better homemade signal booster/amplifier setup?
I didn't even know that those ports where there... That's awesome! I know this comment doesn't help but I had to say something!
Jrex said:
I didn't even know that those ports where there... That's awesome! I know this comment doesn't help but I had to say something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, that's cool. I just found out about them myself.
I knew about the ports . For the heck of it I tried an external antenna that I had from my omnia. Great signal boost, but seemed to ruin the antenna. Use caution.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
the entity said:
I knew about the ports . For the heck of it I tried an external antenna that I had from my omnia. Great signal boost, but seemed to ruin the antenna. Use caution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give some more information on this? The external antennae did work, gave a signal boost, but then was ruined and presumably stopped working?
My house seems to be located in a Bermuda Triangle within Verizon's network, and I'd love to find a way to boost my signal strength short of dropping $250 on a network extender and sending my calls (and everyone else's within range) over my internet connection for free, for Verizon.
Slightly off topic, but I wanted to insert a bit of reality into the network extender wish.
Put simply, it's worthless. I got one for FREE and still returned it. It goes offline for hours at a time and, when synched, only works for about a 15ft radius, if that.
That said, if you want one for free, file a compliant with the FCC about the poor call quality and signal strength and you'll likely be offered one for free as well.
Good luck, either way.
Sent from my SCH-I500
Just to throw in my two cents' worth, extenders are not always worthless, though quality may vary. At the last place I worked, my department got moved into the basement of one of the buildings, where you were lucky to get one bar of service on our company cell phones, which were through Sprint. That was unacceptable, so the company had somebody from Sprint mount an antenna on the roof and run a wire from there down to a repeater box that was mounted on the ceiling of the basement level. After that, we got full bars on all our phones in the basement. Of course then everybody else hated us, since the breakroom was down there, and before that they usually wouldnt get interrupted by cell phone calls while at lunch, due to the poor signal.
Extenders work just fine, providing you don't get a cheap junk one, and providing there's even a good signal for it to extend in the first place.
Posted from my DL09 SuperClean Fascinate with Voodoo
The one you had access to isn't how the Verizon extender works. The Verizon one works similar to a Wi-Fi router, not as a repeater. It literally becomes a cell tower, just at such a low wattage it doesn't penetrate anything. It also doesn't repeat to a tower, it connects via your home inet connection to Verizon's exchange, so you get lag twice. If you read the manual for it, it tells you it won't work outside 15ft. Verizon just doesn't advertise that on the advertisements (or the box).
Ah, I didn't realize they had a device like that. Sounds like basically a poor man's cell tower. Too bad it doesn't work for you.
Posted from my DL09 SuperClean Fascinate with Voodoo
At my school system we have some offices and stuff in the district that get really bad service, mostly just because they're in layers of thick concrete and steel. We've been installing some really nice extenders in some of the worse ones, they're very expensive (like $600 a pop) but they do a great job.
OT, what did the poster mean about it ruining his antenna? I'm confused.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
I live in the mountains outside Verizon range. The stock Verizon network extender works fine in our 2 story house.
ChrisDDD said:
Can you give some more information on this? The external antennae did work, gave a signal boost, but then was ruined and presumably stopped working?
My house seems to be located in a Bermuda Triangle within Verizon's network, and I'd love to find a way to boost my signal strength short of dropping $250 on a network extender and sending my calls (and everyone else's within range) over my internet connection for free, for Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used an external antenna - same one http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-SGH-A74...enna-adapter-/260710050385?pt=PDA_Accessories
It plugged in without a problem and gave a great signal boost, but i suspect that the inner pin on the adapter was too wide for the fascinate and once the plug was removed, I was lucky to be able to make a call at all without the use of the antenna. I replaced my phone under warranty saying that gps was messed up.
If you look hard enough, you may be able to find a suitable adapter designed for the Fascinate.
Related
So I got the Nexus S yesterday and LOVE everything about it.
I'm unable to get any acceptable reception inside my apartment (on the lowest level of a three story complex thats surrounded by other apartments).
I live in Hermosa Beach, CA and TMO says I have good coverage here... and they're right... because once i walk outside I'm blazing... like literally once I'm outside my door... what gives??? How can I go from 3G 4 bars lit up in green to that stupid EDGE with one bar... lucky to be green... or no reception at all.
Will I be stuck with not being able to use my phone inside my apartment? I called TMO and they are sending someone out here to check the reception I guess... but I'm stuck using WiFi inside my apartment without being able to use the phone.
Anyone else experience similar issues like that? My sprint phone never did this.
look into getting a signal repeater or something
T-Mobile definitely has issues penetrating buildings, in my opinion. Both my home and one of the two work-sites I frequent are almost dead-zones on T-Mo.
I purchased one of those zBoost cell repeaters for my home, which greatly improves reception, but you need to be able to run a cable to an outside antenna for best results.
Here's an Amazon link for a starting point to different models: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=mobile&field-keywords=zboost+tmobile&x=0&y=0
That said, it's ridiculous to have to pay $250 to get your cell signal. I only did it because the one I got does both AT&T and T-Mo frequencies (not T-Mo 3G, though) and my AT&T phones can get signal inside the house, but just barely.
I too have issues in buildings not necessarily my house but businesses
This is a T-Mobile issue. Not a nexus issue. Also is not a new issue.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
cpcrazyfly said:
This is a T-Mobile issue. Not a nexus issue. Also is not a new issue.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically correct, but if the Nexus S is your first T-Mobile phone, you might not know this. It would be easy to think the NS has a poor antenna. It's a valid question to ask, in my opinion.
redhatyellow said:
So I got the Nexus S yesterday and LOVE everything about it.
I'm unable to get any acceptable reception inside my apartment (on the lowest level of a three story complex thats surrounded by other apartments).
I live in Hermosa Beach, CA and TMO says I have good coverage here... and they're right... because once i walk outside I'm blazing... like literally once I'm outside my door... what gives??? How can I go from 3G 4 bars lit up in green to that stupid EDGE with one bar... lucky to be green... or no reception at all.
Will I be stuck with not being able to use my phone inside my apartment? I called TMO and they are sending someone out here to check the reception I guess... but I'm stuck using WiFi inside my apartment without being able to use the phone.
Anyone else experience similar issues like that? My sprint phone never did this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just a fundamental issue with the frequencies t-mobile uses for their 3g network, 1700 and 2100mHz. Those have poor building penetration vs for example lower bands like the 850mHz on ATT which penetrates buildings much stronger. It requires them to build towers closer together but that isn't always possible, its hard enough to get towers up as it is.
This is one reason I've tried to stay on ATT 3g as their 3g band performs much better in these situations, when its available.
distortedloop said:
T-Mobile definitely has issues penetrating buildings, in my opinion. Both my home and one of the two work-sites I frequent are almost dead-zones on T-Mo.
I purchased one of those zBoost cell repeaters for my home, which greatly improves reception, but you need to be able to run a cable to an outside antenna for best results.
Here's an Amazon link for a starting point to different models:
That said, it's ridiculous to have to pay $250 to get your cell signal. I only did it because the one I got does both AT&T and T-Mo frequencies (not T-Mo 3G, though) and my AT&T phones can get signal inside the house, but just barely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think TMO will provide this for me? Have people got TMO to do this before?
And yeah, I know this isn't a NS issue... I LOVE THE NS -- MY FAV PHONE OF ALL TIME!!, but i am new to TMO and love them as well EXCEPT for inside my house !!
Has anyone ever got TMO to provide better reception inside their home?? You would think they would provide people with like wireless routers for their homes!
I had the G1, Nexus One, G2, and MT4G before the Nexus S and have to say that the Nexus S gets hands down the best reception in my apartment.
The G1 was worthless, the N1, G2, and MT4G were pretty much on par but only got reception in certain parts of the apartment which means I couldn't move very much when on the phone (unless when on wifi calling of course).
The Nexus S has reception everywhere in my apartment with superior call quality throughout. Very impressed with it so far. T-mobile still sucks inside buildings but you're better off with the Nexus S than other T-mobile devices.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
find another place lol
why you are living deep down under. afraid of nuke or something ?
Also, I live in Los Angeles and we've been having lots of rain here... will that affect reception at all?
And what about femtocell technology? Does TMO use it??
redhatyellow said:
Also, I live in Los Angeles and we've been having lots of rain here... will that affect reception at all?
And what about femtocell technology? Does TMO use it??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im about an hour away from you and the rain is horrible but i havent had any issues...
and I dont think they do
LOL! I cannot stop laughing reading this comment
ll_l_x_l_ll said:
find another place lol
why you are living deep down under. afraid of nuke or something ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rain seems to be affecting my T mobile service, I'm in the valley and areas I normally get 3g on have been edge or no service since the rain storms began.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Hopefully someone will port the tmobile wifi app to the nexus s. I may return mine and wait for it because I don't want to keep switching phones at home because one has the ability for wifi calling and the other doesnt.
Also I have tried sip calling to no avail on both nexuses.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Rain is known to sometimes cause interference with reception; I notice this as well in NYC. I have noticed that the Nexus S is pretty good at keeping the signal alive, certainly better than my N1 or Vibrant.
To improve your reception, set the phone to airplane mode and then turn it off a few seconds later to get the closest towers. Also call 611 and ask them to reset your phone on the network from their end. Surprisingly, this sometimes does help. As someone said previously, the higher the band (2100 mhz for Tmo 3G), the worse penetration is unfortunately. I think Tmo stopped selling their repeaters earlier this year or last year (hotspot @ home).
I tweeted on Sunday my dissatisfaction with T-Mobile service. I was 75' outside one of their own stores in an area marked as 3G on their maps, couldn't get data at all inside another store, couldn't get better than EDGE outside in the parking lot.
Their reply was to try a new SIM. The SIM I have is from my N1 original, it's not even a year old. Anyone think it's worth the effort swapping? Do SIMS actually "wear out" that fast?
I suspect that's one of those "we don't really have an answer or fix, but give the customer something to try so we look proactive" kind of answers. LOL
have you tried setting up SIP + GVoice over Wifi?
This doesn't resolve the tmobile issue, but at least you can make and receive calls on wifi without eating up your minutes...
It's not ideal, but it works.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=877879
My friend had this problem with his ATT phones. He contacted them, *****ed, and they set up one of those repeaters in his apartment. He's the only one that could log into it and set up a filter to use only phones he registers. Maybe you can talk to Tmobile about this, though I'm not sure if they're eager to give everyone these things (or if Tmobile even gives them).
Hey,
Just moved into a new basement apartment and am getting horrible cell reception, and sometimes none at all. I have been researching cell signal boosters/repeaters and they seem to be pretty solid - although very very expensive.
Wilson technology seems to have the best products. I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these devices? The other stipulation is that I won't be able to mount an antenna on the side of the house, it'll have to sit in a window.
If anyone has any advice that would be great.
Cheers
Sent from somewhere fun with my Nexus Prime
there was a post/thread (either on this forum or some other forum) back then about someone using T-Mo down in the states and having bad cell reception in the kitchen at their home. He/she went to T-mobile and complained or something and T-Mobile gave them a signal booster of some sort to place at home to use.
ask Rogers maybe?
So its pretty easy to setup a cell signal booster/repeater these days for a pretty good price. We run one at work and it works great. 5 bars consistently inside the building, while the outside has 1-2 with most phones.
Problem is, we do a lot of work outside, and it sucks not having cell service. Would it be possible to setup some kind of mini cell repeater/booster site that can catch the signal and boost it within a certain area that is about 1 mile by 1 mile?
Basically thinking of putting up another one of these to pick up the cell signal.
http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/Pr...ain+800+MHz+Yagi+Antenna+(301111)&Category=28
They work great for the indoor repeater sites we have setup.
From there I would need five exterior 180 degree antennas that would rebroadcast the signal. We already have a tower in place that everything could be mounted on.
Is this legal? What kind of equipment would I be looking at? Any help would be appreciated.
There are no definitive regulations set forth by the CRTC (assuming you live in Canada). In theory, as long as the signal is low powered IE does not leave your property, it should be fine.
For enough money, I could make it work. Not sure how much a 50dbm amplifier will do though, when you split the signal off onto 3-4 sector antennas.
I'll have to look more into it.
Could I build one in my house I live in Arizona.what would it cost?what kind of service do you get with it such as speeds,etc.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA
These are the sector antennas I would want.
http://www.tenxc.com/products/multi-band-bi-sector-array
Not sure how much they cost.
This is seriously a long term project.
If you're in the states, I would talk to your carrier about perhaps putting up a cell site on your property if you have poor service.
I'm with a regional cell phone provider, and they have pretty crappy service in my area with no plans to make it any better.
Which is ridiculous, because its not like I live in the boondocks.
I'm buying there $500 amp set-up sweet.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA
To bump my own thread.
This company makes industrial repeaters for outdoor towers.
http://www.telcosat.com/
Currently in the process of getting a quote from them. I'll update it as it goes.
hey
i have a nexus 4
and when my room in the house the reception fades like ****
i was wondering if there's any way to place an external antenna in the window and connect it to the phone when I'm in the room
is it possible?
where can i find such item?
thanks
Ariel
Amplifier
arik100 said:
hey
i have a nexus 4
and when my room in the house the reception fades like ****
i was wondering if there's any way to place an external antenna in the window and connect it to the phone when I'm in the room
is it possible?
where can i find such item?
thanks
Ariel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy an amplifier but they run for about 300.00 euros.
If your issue is the carrier, your gonna have to change it if your want more bars.
There is a post about this issue here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2036059
Another solution is a carrier amplifier:
If your on T-mobile: http://t-mobilescoop.com/signalbooster
If your on AT&T: http://www.att.com/standalone/3gmicrocell/?fbid=_nOhLzaqTDI
Hope the info helps you out.
I've noticed the same thing with both my Nexus, our old phones didn't seem to lose signal as bad inside. I've wondered if I switched to a different modem would improve this.
hey
thanks for the fast response
actually im not from the united states so AT&T & Tmobile aren't quite gonna help me
anyways
I'm looking for something like these repeaters you gave but they're quite expensive and im doubtful my phone operator owns them.
plus they aren't gonna fix any reception in my area.
I've been wondering if there's a possible way to extend the antenna instead of the signal so the signal will be received better DIRECTLY into the phone without any other means such as repeaters (just like what you can do in WIFI networks , when you can connect a wireless network card with a long antenna).
Well in no way am I a communication specialist, but from what I remember higher frequencies (which are being used to broadcast data services) have a harder time getting thru walls and such. Voice communication are broadcasted on lower frequencies so theoretically they have a deeper penetration (lol) in the buildings. Try in the wireless&network settings navigate to mobile network and choose use only 2g network. It could help if you live relatively close to a tower. The downside is that you lose high speed data connection but if you're home then you're probably on wifi anyway. Now this is only theoretical and there are a number of things that come into play when we talk about cell phone reception, this being one of many. Try, it might help you a bit but that's not a guarantee.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
What about changing the Provider? Did help me a lot
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
My whole house is a dead zone with a weak signal outside as well ( 95 dBm / 8 asu ) I bit the bullet and purchased a Wilson signal booster model 841263 with directional antenna. It was expensive but it worked! I can now use my phone anywhere in my home with up to 67 dBm at best, funny thing is that I have an old lg p500 and the signal is WAY better than my nexus4..go figure! They wanted 660$ Canadian at the telus store but I got mine from amazon for 357$
sent from my N7 :smokin:
Just moved to a rural area and the Verizon map shows I should have either 3g or 4g (right on the edge of the line between the two) in my location. But if I hold my tongue just right, at best I may get 1 bar of 3g. And if I'm indoors, forget it. Not even voice calls or texts. Any apps to try for this? I guess I kind of doubt it.
My main question is, has anybody tried any of the signal boosters? Not the ones that use wifi, because I don't get that in my rural area either. It seems I just bought a place in an infamous dead spot. I'm talking about one of the tower mounted "repeaters" like the ones at Wilson Electronics. There is a local company that sells and installs them, for $1800! Yikes! I'm wondering if they could possibly work THAT well? Anybody have any experience with these?
Edit:
I've sort of resolved this, in case anybody runs across this thread. Not the resolution I was looking for, but something is better than nothing. I wound up having to get a local "wireless" internet connection. Instead of broadband, its an antenna that goes on the roof, and a modem that looks like it was made in the 80's that goes inside. Verizon hooked me up with a Samsung booster and it actually seems to work really well. I've only had it for a day, but so far, no dropped calls, no crackling, great sounding calls and immediate text deliveries. Oh, and the internet is rated at 4mbps in case anybody is shopping around to fix a similar problem. Wish I had more info on the Wilson, non-wifi boosters. Maybe in the future...
scott_65 said:
Just moved to a rural area and the Verizon map shows I should have either 3g or 4g (right on the edge of the line between the two) in my location. But if I hold my tongue just right, at best I may get 1 bar of 3g. And if I'm indoors, forget it. Not even voice calls or texts. Any apps to try for this? I guess I kind of doubt it.
My main question is, has anybody tried any of the signal boosters? Not the ones that use wifi, because I don't get that in my rural area either. It seems I just bought a place in an infamous dead spot. I'm talking about one of the tower mounted "repeaters" like the ones at Wilson Electronics. There is a local company that sells and installs them, for $1800! Yikes! I'm wondering if they could possibly work THAT well? Anybody have any experience with these?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea about signal boosters but you can try different modems and see if that helps, if you haven't already. Just put your phone in download mode and flash thru odin. You may need to be rooted if you aren't. Not 100% on being rooted to flash modems but I would be rooted to make sure. I'm on NC2 leak and that modem was awful for me. Now I'm on NC2 with the NC4 modem and it's been lovely.
Link : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=47400062&postcount=1
Thats good to know, thanks! I'm having horrible luck on NC2 as well. But my wife is using my old note 2 running an old jb rom I had on it (I think maybe cleanrom). She's having the same problems. So I know its not just the phone, it is the actual signal at this location. But I will try the modem change, since my signal has suffered everywhere else too.
Would still like info on boosters if anybody else has used them, thanks
scott_65 said:
Thats good to know, thanks! I'm having horrible luck on NC2 as well. But my wife is using my old note 2 running an old jb rom I had on it (I think maybe cleanrom). She's having the same problems. So I know its not just the phone, it is the actual signal at this location. But I will try the modem change, since my signal has suffered everywhere else too.
Would still like info on boosters if anybody else has used them, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, then maybe my info won't help if you're wife's phone signal is sucking too, but I tried.
Sorry man, wasn't trying to be rude at all, your info was much appreciated! I just downloaded and installed the NC4 modem, I'm using it as we speak. I appreciate any help that anybody on these forums offers me. Your knowledge will undoubtedly help out my situation.
That being said, I'm also looking for information from anyone that has used one of these boosters for this other particular reception problem that I'm having. I was merely stating that, while your solution will likely help my phones individual signal strength, my location is requiring a little more effort than just a phone enhancement. Sorry if I came across rude or offended in any way. Its never my intentions
You weren't rude at all dude, sorry if I gave you that impression. We're good.....
Do you have land-line phone service? I'm thinking of getting one from best buy that costs about $300. It does not use the phone line, per se. It just uses the wiring as the antenna and boosts 4g. Don't remember the name. . .
LeftyGR said:
Do you have land-line phone service? I'm thinking of getting one from best buy that costs about $300. It does not use the phone line, per se. It just uses the wiring as the antenna and boosts 4g. Don't remember the name. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the service, but the old house I bought does still have the wires in it. Same thing I suppose, unless it uses the voltage thats in the wires... Good idea, I'll look into it as well. Thanks!
If you want cell phone voice coverage get a verizon network extender if you have home internet. Otherwise use a wilson electronics db pro 4g or dt4g amplifier system. Amazon sells them at a decent price