Database Users

Reception/Modem/Baseband

Hello,
I recently upgraded from Xperia Arc S to Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505.
I bought my device from Hong Kong, with HK firmware. After I opened the package I put my SIM inside,
the reception was not very good. I was instructed by the company to use GSM only since there is no
LTE network in Israel as of today.
I flashed a couple of ROMs since and today I am on MIUI v5 which is my favorite, the reception remains
the same in all ROMs, quite bad compared to my old Xperia Arc S.
I was wondering about basebands and modems, I have been watching those two names floating around
the forums quite a bit and I never got around to playing with those.
So my questions are as follows:
1. Is there a different between modem and baseband or are these two just different words that refers to the same thing?
2. Does changing a baseband/modem can help get better reception?
3. If the answer to 2 is yes, which one should I get?
Thanks,
Oded

Yes modem/baseband are the same thing. Go to SamMobile website Google it, then go to the firmware section, choose the S4 find your carrier and see the latest rom for your carrier in the file name will be some letters and numbers like XXNA5 etc. This will give you a base to start with. Or tell me your operator and I can take a look.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

nikzDHD said:
Yes modem/baseband are the same thing. Go to SamMobile website Google it, then go to the firmware section, choose the S4 find your carrier and see the latest rom for your carrier in the file name will be some letters and numbers like XXNA5 etc. This will give you a base to start with. Or tell me your operator and I can take a look.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. How do I find out which firmware I need to download? Israel is not in the list. My carrier is called Orange. http://orange.co.il/
behind the battery it says:
GT-I9505
SSN: -I9505GSMH
RATED
Made by...
Imei...
S/N...
EDIT:
You didn't answer if the incorrect baseband can cause bad reception... it sounds to me like it does but I just want to make sure.
I also noticed that when I reboot my device it goes back to WCDMA only automatically so everytime I reboot/power off I need to reset it to GSM only using *#*#4636#*#*

BUMP

oded_sk said:
Hello,
I recently upgraded from Xperia Arc S to Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505.
I bought my device from Hong Kong, with HK firmware. After I opened the package I put my SIM inside,
the reception was not very good. I was instructed by the company to use GSM only since there is no
LTE network in Israel as of today.
I flashed a couple of ROMs since and today I am on MIUI v5 which is my favorite, the reception remains
the same in all ROMs, quite bad compared to my old Xperia Arc S.
I was wondering about basebands and modems, I have been watching those two names floating around
the forums quite a bit and I never got around to playing with those.
So my questions are as follows:
1. Is there a different between modem and baseband or are these two just different words that refers to the same thing?
2. Does changing a baseband/modem can help get better reception?
3. If the answer to 2 is yes, which one should I get?
Thanks,
Oded
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Same thing .
2. Yes.
3. You can check it from here that Base from your country/Provider . And you can download it from here

The problem is that Israel is not on that list, I think because we don't have LTE network and my device is LTE.
My carrier is using GSM network only.

Israel don't sell the I9505 officially, they have the I9500 available from your carriers.
Looking at the I9500 with Orange the latest I9500 modem is: I9500JKUEMJ9
Obviously do not flash the I9500 modem but you can try XXUEMJ9 from the I9505 instead.
From here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192025
Download the modem and flash via Odin. You can any of the I9505 modems. Just try until you get a good one, and as for LTE it doesn't matter in the network settings you will obviously be choosing 3G option instead.

nikzDHD said:
Israel don't sell the I9505 officially, they have the I9500 available from your carriers.
Looking at the I9500 with Orange the latest I9500 modem is: I9500JKUEMJ9
Obviously do not flash the I9500 modem but you can try XXUEMJ9 from the I9505 instead.
From here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192025
Download the modem and flash via Odin. You can any of the I9505 modems. Just try until you get a good one, and as for LTE it doesn't matter in the network settings you will obviously be choosing 3G option instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, well, it didn't work, I flashed about 7 different modems and I still get bad reception indoors and good reception outdoors.
I will try to test other SIMs of other carriers on this device to see if reception improves.
Thank you very much for you help!

4.4.2
Anyone knows which modems can I flash in a stock i9505 4.4.2 rom?

Inamati said:
Anyone knows which modems can I flash in a stock i9505 4.4.2 rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any modem you want to flash. But try the 4.4.2 versions.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

nikzDHD said:
Any modem you want to flash. But try the 4.4.2 versions.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I ask this question because when flashing stock 4.4.2 I had to flash a specific modem otherwise it wouldn't work. If I flash another modem different from FNA5 won't it cause problems in the ROM?

Inamati said:
Really? I ask this question because when flashing stock 4.4.2 I had to flash a specific modem otherwise it wouldn't work. If I flash another modem different from FNA5 won't it cause problems in the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends what bootloader your on, I'm assuming your on the new bootloader so you need to flash both the LTE and GSM modems. I'm on a GE 4.4.2 rom and old bootloader running on an older modem and not got any issues. Try it and see what happens you can always flash another after or go back to a 4.4.2 modem.

nikzDHD said:
Depends what bootloader your on, I'm assuming your on the new bootloader so you need to flash both the LTE and GSM modems. I'm on a GE 4.4.2 rom and old bootloader running on an older modem and not got any issues. Try it and see what happens you can always flash another after or go back to a 4.4.2 modem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thanks a bunch. If not too much trouble can you point me to a list of the modems you speak of? And is there anywhere where it's detailed how to flash both modems? When I changed modem in the previous ROM's I only had to flash one.

Inamati said:
OK thanks a bunch. If not too much trouble can you point me to a list of the modems you speak of? And is there anywhere where it's detailed how to flash both modems? When I changed modem in the previous ROM's I only had to flash one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread has all the info you need:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192025

A small tip to whom ever is reading this: If you have reception problems just go to someone with the same phone model and just write down the information in about phone section such as: baseband, core, build etc so you know which one works 100% if your phone is the same model.
Anyways, nikzDHD, I9505XXUEML6_MODEM worked best, I flashed 90% of the modems... took me forever :/

[Q] Can I flash G900F modem on G900W8 and how?

I've been having a problem on my S5 where the data symbol is stuck on 4G and doesn't show anything else. It might be a baseband/modem error since I'm using a Canadian model in Cyprus. Can I use the modem from the Cyprus G900F firmware and flash it on my G900W8? Also can someone explain how I could do that so that I don't screw it up, if it is possible?

!
RE UP!
Same pb...

To flash a modem you need a .bin file and odin.
Clear your delvik/cache,
put your phone in download mode,
load phone with the .bin file and flash it.
I also am having data issues with all custom ROM's. If it's not one thing it's another. Canadian phones always get left in the dust it seems.

vasodys said:
Can I use the modem from the Cyprus G900F firmware and flash it on my G900W8?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not. You neglected to tell us what your W8 baseband and firmware are, which is rather crucial information. Making it impossible to give you a definitive answer. In most cases Odin will refuse to allow the change.
That isn't really an issue most of the time. There should be a variety of W8 modems for you to choose from if you want to change your modem.
.

Changing modem

Hey all,
I have a stock (but rooted) phone and just want to change the modem only, not a complete reflash. Is there anywhere a collection of modem only packages? I have a SM-G900F but need the australian TEL modem (currently attached to a SM-G900I firmware I can find but can't separate from).
Any help?
Cheers

aerospyke said:
Hey all,
I have a stock (but rooted) phone and just want to change the modem only, not a complete reflash. Is there anywhere a collection of modem only packages? I have a SM-G900F but need the australian TEL modem (currently attached to a SM-G900I firmware I can find but can't separate from).
Any help?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52210611

Thanks that's exactly what i'm looking for... never seen disclaimers warning not to stray outside of that model though.... think it is a "just in case" warning, or a very valid one? Didn't think the modem was really hardware specific if the chips are the same.

[Q] GT-i9500 UK Firmware?

Hi just been looking all over the internet for stock firmware for gt-i9500 for the UK, but I want it unbranded. i'm in the process of downloading the russian version but i don't know how this will affect the use of the phone.
So if anyone knows where I can get unbranded UK firmware for the i9500 please help me out, thanks!

verojie said:
Hi just been looking all over the internet for stock firmware for gt-i9500 for the UK, but I want it unbranded. i'm in the process of downloading the russian version but i don't know how this will affect the use of the phone.
So if anyone knows where I can get unbranded UK firmware for the i9500 please help me out, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This firmware don't exist. It's better know what CSC you own and flash the correct firmware for your device. Installing this APP you can know your CSC. Add some screenshot if you need more help :fingers-crossed:

screenshot
Hi I've attached the screenshot but I have no idea what it means. I have already flashed it to AT&T in USA and it is not enabling me to use the Sim card that was previously working in it. I know how to flash it but I just don't know what firmware I should be using and where to find it. Thanks for any help in advance.

Do you have the original box? If so, you should find the full model number on a label. It will say GT-I9500ZKAXXX, where XXX will be three letters. Those three letters will be the CSC of the phone. If not, it is possible to determine the carrier using the phone's IMEI and this site. Once we know the carrier or the CSC of the phone it's possible to get you the right ROM for the phone, assuming of course that you haven't totally screwed yourself by installing the AT&T firmware on it. AT&T and Verizon both encrypt the bootloader of the device, and removing the bootloader by flashing the correct ROM through Odin may not work because of the encryption.

verojie said:
Hi I've attached the screenshot but I have no idea what it means. I have already flashed it to AT&T in USA and it is not enabling me to use the Sim card that was previously working in it. I know how to flash it but I just don't know what firmware I should be using and where to find it. Thanks for any help in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you own a i9500. Can you attach more screenshots about the app that i was telling you?

@Joku1981: Thinking it's a Frankenstein?

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
@Joku1981: Thinking it's a Frankenstein?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, i think isn't possible see an i9500 with CSC: ATT (maybe is a SGH-i337). But I dunno. I hope he can add more screenshots for confirm it.

[Q] Carrier Specific ROMs

Hey Guys!
I have a question regarding stock roms. I've been looking at SamMobile for an official release of Lollipop here in Philippines, the only download I can see is for a local carrier Globe. Will it cause problems if I flash this on my international N9005?
I also want to ask the same question for an S4 I9505, but it's the other way around; the phone is from Globe, network locked, and I am thinking of flashing an international version ROM. Will this cause problems? I know this isn't the right forum but just in case someone would like to answer.
Thank you!

hehsusss said:
Hey Guys!
I have a question regarding stock roms. I've been looking at SamMobile for an official release of Lollipop here in Philippines, the only download I can see is for a local carrier Globe. Will it cause problems if I flash this on my international N9005?
I also want to ask the same question for an S4 I9505, but it's the other way around; the phone is from Globe, network locked, and I am thinking of flashing an international version ROM. Will this cause problems? I know this isn't the right forum but just in case someone would like to answer.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, you will have problems with the radios. It's not importat where you live that what CSC have your device. Install this APP and look for your CSC. Go to Sammobile.com, look for your csc, download and flash the latest stock rom for your device via ODIN. (Pic attached)
2. Regarding GT-i9505: Yes, it will cause lose of signal. The best you can do is unlock it by IMEI.

Joku1981 said:
1. Yes, you will have problems with the radios. It's not importat where you live that what CSC have your device. Install this APP and look for your CSC. Go to Sammobile.com, look for your csc, download and flash the latest stock rom for your device via ODIN. (Pic attached)
2. Regarding GT-i9505: Yes, it will cause lose of signal. The best you can do is unlock it by IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed a rom from Brazil. Everything works great it's just that the bloatware included is annoying. I figured the best option to flasha ROM from my country but the only one with a Lollipop ROM is carrier specific.

Samsung allows users to use roms from their own region interchangeably. In most cases, even globally.
I've never encountered issues with radio or signal loss when flashing different providers and countries in my own region, and I've had thousands of people flash and use all sort of different EU firmwares. (you can find the region on the sticker on the box.)
(US users have different devices with real carrier locks, so those are excluded.)
Sent From My Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 Using Tapatalk