8525: call reception woes

[zim2dive]

My call reception with the 8525 is easily (and by far) the worst I have ever had with any phone.

Is this typical? And/or are there any fixes? My reception is often poor and often yo-yo's up and down, with lots of dropped calls.

I'm using the default ROM, with radio 1.16.00.00 (yes I'm a newbie, and yes I've been reading the wiki, etc, and alas I'm still not comfortable figuring out which bootloader, SPL, etc etc I have). I do NOT use any of the data functions, so if another radio ROM is the answer, my only criteria is call reception.

Almost wondering if it could be loose hardware?

Thanks for any ideas.

Mike

[Zzan]

My call reception with the 8525 is easily (and by far) the worst I have ever had with any phone.

Is this typical? And/or are there any fixes? My reception is often poor and often yo-yo's up and down, with lots of dropped calls.

I'm using the default ROM, with radio 1.16.00.00 (yes I'm a newbie, and yes I've been reading the wiki, etc, and alas I'm still not comfortable figuring out which bootloader, SPL, etc etc I have). I do NOT use any of the data functions, so if another radio ROM is the answer, my only criteria is call reception.

Almost wondering if it could be loose hardware?

Thanks for any ideas.

Mike

Install Hard SPL V5.
Flash radio 1.27 or higher.

I personally use 1.38.30.10 and switched to that from 1.34.00.10

The instructions are in the appropriate thread for Hard SPL, and also in the Wiki.

Remember that any flashing has the potential to ruin your device, Hard SPL makes it so that the device can be recovered in most cases.

Any of the 1.27 or higher radios should fix or greatly improve your reception issues.

Also keep in mind that HardSPL will flash quickly (less than a minute or two) but the radio takes the longest of any component to flash (10 to 20 minutes). I recommend when starting a radio flash that you disable all power management and screensaver on your computer that you are flashing from, establish your activesync connection and then run the radio upgrade ruu. Once that is done leave the room and don't come back for 30 minutes. This will prevent you from tinkering while the flash is taking place.

[mrvanx]

As said above flash HardSPLv5 FIRST

and then flash a newer radio, the latest PROVEN radio is 1.38.00.10. A few people have reported battery drain issues with the later iMate radio so i still recommend the radio in the guide.

How to flash HardSPL v5 (http://www.mrvanx.myzen.co.uk/hermes_guide/HardSPL.html)
How to flash radio 1.38.00.10 (http://www.mrvanx.myzen.co.uk/hermes_guide/Radio.html)

These guides make it look easy but if you havent read through the wiki please do so since it contains BUCKETLOADS of info.

[zim2dive]

Thanks to both of you for the pointers.

I have read the HardSPL page and downloaded HardSPL and the .net framework.

Looking at the install snapshots, my 1st hitch was wondering what SPL I had (since it looks like you need to pick a version during the install).. but I was able to decode that by going to the settings->device info->ROM version, and then indexing down this table http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Hermes_Upgrades to determine that with ROM 1.34.502.1, I should have SPL 1.06 (is there any way to determine this more directly?)

I've grabbed 1.38.00.10 and will give this all a go when I get to work in the AM (and have plenty of time to babysit) (also I figure allowing another 18 hours for other suggestions/cautions to float in isn't the worst of ideas :) )

Will report back when complete. Thanks again for the info.

Mike

[mrvanx]

If you READ THE GUIDE it goes through the procedure of finding your SPL and what options to select. Please read it word for word.

[zim2dive]

If you READ THE GUIDE it goes through the procedure of finding your SPL and what options to select. Please read it word for word.

Yes, it most certainly does. (I skipped ahead and was scanning the pictures)

Thanks,
Mike

[zim2dive]

Will report back when complete. Thanks again for the info.
Mike

I'm sure no one will be surprised, but the update the flawlessly. thanks again for the help. Now to drive around for the weekend and see how the new radio performs.

Cheers,
Mike

[JamesAllen]

My call reception with the 8525 is easily (and by far) the worst I have ever had with any phone.

Is this typical? And/or are there any fixes? My reception is often poor and often yo-yo's up and down, with lots of dropped calls.

I'm using the default ROM, with radio 1.16.00.00 (yes I'm a newbie, and yes I've been reading the wiki, etc, and alas I'm still not comfortable figuring out which bootloader, SPL, etc etc I have). I do NOT use any of the data functions, so if another radio ROM is the answer, my only criteria is call reception.

Almost wondering if it could be loose hardware?

Thanks for any ideas.

Mike
Like you, I am a newbie, new 8525, read the wiki and forums for days before taking the plunge. I flashed hard SPL and Radio ROM 1.38. The reception improvement is dramatic and my battery life is dramatically improved. Someone earlier used the word "sip" to describe the minimal power this Radio ROM uses and that is true. I actually wondered on the first day of use if the battery meter was working.

If you follow the upgrade guide to the letter, you should have no problem flashing your device but you must read the guide. I know the experts have told you this but wanted to let you know that a newbie can actually do this successfully.

[autiger]

--I flashed hard SPL and Radio ROM 1.38. The reception improvement is dramatic and my battery life is dramatically improved. Someone earlier used the word "sip" to describe the minimal power this Radio ROM uses and that is true.--

James, HOw long ago did you do this? how long has it been working for you? Just curious. I have had a horrible time with reception and i have tried several of the 'upgrades' but have never touched the radio. So far, not much improvement...so i am curious abot the radio rom upgrade.

[mrvanx]

--I flashed hard SPL and Radio ROM 1.38. The reception improvement is dramatic and my battery life is dramatically improved. Someone earlier used the word "sip" to describe the minimal power this Radio ROM uses and that is true.--

James, HOw long ago did you do this? how long has it been working for you? Just curious. I have had a horrible time with reception and i have tried several of the 'upgrades' but have never touched the radio. So far, not much improvement...so i am curious abot the radio rom upgrade.

My god please try upgrading the radio right now, generally the radio is responsble for any battery drain issues people are having.

Follow my guides, first make sure you have HardSPL (http://www.mrvanx.myzen.co.uk/hermes_guide/HardSPL.html) on the device and then flash a newer radio (http://www.mrvanx.myzen.co.uk/hermes_guide/Radio.html).
See how it goes?

[autiger]

MrVanx,

I am trying now. But i am trying to read everything first and your message said upgrade to hardsplv5 and your guide has v6 attached. was there a reason you said v5 instead of v6...i am not having battery drain issues at all, i am only having dropped calls. Thanks for your wisdom. I will wait for your reply on v5 vs v6 and then will flash the radio to 1.38.

[mrvanx]

MrVanx,

I am trying now. But i am trying to read everything first and your message said upgrade to hardsplv5 and your guide has v6 attached. was there a reason you said v5 instead of v6...i am not having battery drain issues at all, i am only having dropped calls. Thanks for your wisdom. I will wait for your reply on v5 vs v6 and then will flash the radio to 1.38.

the post said v5 because i wrote that before v6 was released

The guide is updated for v6, please use that. ;)

[autiger]

DISREGARD...I GOT IT


mrvanx, i am following the guide, but i have a file called ruu wrapper instead of romupgrade.exe. when i try to run this file it fails to execute and gives a windows error. i had .net framework 3.0 running and i have since uninstalled it, but i am still unable to run the ruuwrapper file to upgrade the hardsplv6. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[zim2dive]

I'd like to go back and ask about hardware again.. I've installed the new radio, and my reception still bounces around like a yoyo. Start a call with 5 bars, then 10 seconds later down to 0 and drop the call. I'm frankly more comfortable opening up and soldering itty bitty pins on chips vs. my knowledge of the ROM upgrades (so far) anyway.

Thanks for any leads,
Mike

[MikeChannon]

I'd like to go back and ask about hardware again.. I've installed the new radio, and my reception still bounces around like a yoyo. Start a call with 5 bars, then 10 seconds later down to 0 and drop the call. I'm frankly more comfortable opening up and soldering itty bitty pins on chips vs. my knowledge of the ROM upgrades (so far) anyway.

Thanks for any leads,
Mike

You're not in one of those areas that has both 2g and 3g coverage are you? If so limit phone to 2g only, otherwise Hermes goes crazy by automatically trying to swap between the two and will drop calls in the process.

Mike

[zim2dive]

You're not in one of those areas that has both 2g and 3g coverage are you? If so limit phone to 2g only, otherwise Hermes goes crazy by automatically trying to swap between the two and will drop calls in the process.

Mike


EDIT: ok, now I see Enable/Disable GSM/UMTS Band Selection in the Wiki tweak section. This appears to be a big step towards what I need... will test for a few days.

Thanks,
Mike

[MikeChannon]

EDIT: ok, now I see Enable/Disable GSM/UMTS Band Selection in the Wiki tweak section. This appears to be a big step towards what I need... will test for a few days.

Thanks,
Mike

Yes, worth a try at least. Hermes tries to go for strongest signal. However even within one room that can switch about from 2 to 3g. I may be wrong but I believe danielhererro's bandswitch application could make things easier here. Has a nice interface to make it easy to switch bands etc.

Well worth posting back to let us know how things go - even if it's not good news!!

Mike

[zim2dive]

Very much another question of ignorance, but might be too basic for the XDA wiki, yet mildly too in depth for Wikipedia...

I do apparently have both GSM and WCDMA in my area (I had previously associated 2G and 3G only with data connections, not voice, so tonite has been educational for me) (it also didn't help that Cingular hides the 'Band' menu from users, so I had no control, nor awareness, before using the registry tweak)

With the Hermes, with both GSM and WCDMA available, is there an obvious preference for me? Or is it a tradeoff of power vs. quality? Or just dumb luck of whichever coverage happens to be better in the exact spot I happen to be?

Thanks,
Mike

[zim2dive]

I can't say my reception is improved, but I do seem to be dropping fewer calls now....

Mike

[Manduck2k3]

I have a newer 8525 latest rom and 1.40.30.00 raido rom, and it still gets poor reception, I have tried my sim card in a 8125 and V3 and get exelent coverage in the same spot... its always egde if that helps..

anyone have any ideas? If I can't figure it out i'm gonna have to sell it and go back to an 8125..

Thanks
-R

[adavis99]

I have a newer 8525 latest rom and 1.40.30.00 raido rom, and it still gets poor reception, I have tried my sim card in a 8125 and V3 and get exelent coverage in the same spot... its always egde if that helps..

anyone have any ideas? If I can't figure it out i'm gonna have to sell it and go back to an 8125..

Thanks
-R

Go with 1.54.07.00

[Capt.D]

You may just have defective hardware...my 8525 almost always has the best signal when ever I am around others in a low signal area...

[Manduck2k3]

You may just have defective hardware...my 8525 almost always has the best signal when ever I am around others in a low signal area...

So I'm sol then? I bought it threw Craigs List, I tried to call the guy who sold it to me but he's not answering or returning my calls...

This stinks as I paid $400 for this thing