Radio Bootloader 0108 - still a no go zone?

[mattytj]

Hey guys,

I've been reading quite extensively into upgrading just the Radio version on my i-mate Jasjam. I get terrible reception where I am and am hoping to cure this with a more recent radio (currently on 1.20.31.10, HTC_Boot 0107).

However having read the multiple warnings against upgrading to Radio ROMs above 1.27 I'm a bit unsure. Ideally I'd like to give 1.43 a try due to the positive comments on its GSM reception. Unfortunately, being above Radio ROM 1.27 it comes with the bundle of joy that is Radio Bootloader 0108.

The main reason I don't want to upgrade to Radio Bootloader 0108 is for warranty purposes. If I upgrade the radio and HardSPL I'll have no problems downgrading these later. The Radio Bootlaoder, on the other hand, seems to be impossible to get rid of.

So I guess I have two questions.

The main question is whether radio bootloader 0108 is still not downgradable. I came across two threads where it seemed as if progress would be made - the first was a post by pof 2 years ago saying he was working on a method to downgrade, found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=293297&page=3&highlight=radio+bootloader+0108
and the other thread was written by olipro and looked very promising, with a volunteer to test a patched radio bootloader, but with no results posted. This was a 18 months ago:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=297897&highlight=radio+bootloader+0108

The second question isn't a big deal, but I'm just wondering why so many people who have warned against upgrading to Radios with radio bootloader 0108 have radio bootloader 0108 installed themselves?

At the moment it looks like I'm going to be stuck with crappy reception for the next 2 years due to fear of voiding (and not being able to "unvoid") my warranty, unless this 0108 problem gets fixed!

Any updates on this situation would really be appreciated.

[jarod_73]

No rom upgrade from I-mate with 108 bl??
I had same problem , my tyTn was shipped with radio 1.03.06.00 (bl < 108).
I waited untill a new rom upgrade was available and checked for radio bl=108.
Now I'm running radio 1.43 , I believe you haven't a lot to wait for.. ;)

[mattytj]

Thanks for the reply jarod, that's actually a good point - I thought i-mate hadn't released a ROM upgrade which included a 0108 radio bootloader but I was wrong. They released one then pulled it from their website.

Since I can still get it from here I could upgrade using an official i-mate release and therefore not void my warranty, and wouldn't have any need to downgrade back to 0107 if I were sending my phone in for repairs.

[Korpse]

They pulled it off thier website,
but not off their FTP :D
ftp://ftp.clubimate.com/i-mate_JASJAM_telstra_1.31.305.2_106_6275_1.38.30.10 _108_ship.zip
(ftp://ftp.clubimate.com/i-mate_JASJAM_telstra_1.31.305.2_106_6275_1.38.30.10 _108_ship.zip)

As long as you put HardSPL on it, Who cares about warranty, the crap Ive done to mine and haven't stuffed it, It's unbelievable

[jeffreycentex]

Much of the BL 108 talk was from before the time when we had a way to get around the flashing a radio. Much work has been done in the past 7 months on both ROM Cooking as well as opening up the Hermes...