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Old 05-22-2010, 02:28 PM   #1
GoBlue
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Question How do you improve your signal?

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I’m going to be traveling to the Outer Banks of NC in the next few weeks or so. When I was there last year I had a hell of a time getting a strong signal. Is there anyway to improve/bump up your signal? On the Sprint map on a scale of “Best-Good-Fair” it shows I will be getting a “Fair” signal. I would think a world phone like the Tour would get a better signal than the 8330 I hand last year there.

Thx in advance!
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Old 05-22-2010, 04:04 PM   #2
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Why would you think that the Tour would necessarily get a better signal that the Curve? Just wondering.
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Old 05-22-2010, 04:55 PM   #3
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Wirelessly posted (8520 (5.0.0.411))

The signal strengh is more or less affected by the location of the cell towers and not the device itself.
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Old 05-22-2010, 06:39 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sytner View Post
Wirelessly posted (8520 (5.0.0.411))

The signal strengh is more or less affected by the location of the cell towers and not the device itself.
While that is most certainly true, some phones work better in weak signal areas than others. I have lived in a weak signal area for many years (and have tested many phones) - some phones I have tested (not Blackberries) will drop every call. The older Blackberry I use myself is superb. If (or not) the Tour will perform better than the 8330 I just don't know. Because the 'Tour' is world phone says say nothing about it 'signal keeping' qualities.
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Old 05-24-2010, 08:33 PM   #5
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The only thing would be to set up one of those AirRave units where ever you're staying. Not a practical idea, but that's all I can think of.
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Old 05-28-2010, 10:28 PM   #6
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I guess it would depend on what part of the OBX you are in. We stay near the Wright Memorial and I always have a good signal. I use the BB as my only internet connection via tethering and it works great. Just got the 9650 and haven't tested it yet, but I assume it will work the same as the 9630.
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Old 05-29-2010, 06:07 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo47 View Post
The only thing would be to set up one of those AirRave units where ever you're staying. Not a practical idea, but that's all I can think of.
Thats what i was gonna say, but you have to have a high speed internet connection.
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Old 06-03-2010, 02:23 PM   #8
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Switch to Verizon
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Old 06-03-2010, 02:25 PM   #9
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I live 2 miles from their world headquarters. No signal in my basement. How would switching to Verizon Wireless help me?
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Old 06-03-2010, 04:29 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry View Post
I live 2 miles from their world headquarters. No signal in my basement. How would switching to Verizon Wireless help me?
It wouldn't help you, but moving out of NJ would likely be the answer to all of your problems in life.

In the case of the OP, however, switching to VZ would be beneficial in the particular situation that he has described. I spend a 3-4 weeks a year on the OBX and have great signal on my BB (9630) & WWAN card. I actually dumped my DSL down there since I get such a solid connection on my WWAN card.
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Old 06-03-2010, 05:41 PM   #11
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Well goodie for you. Asshat.
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Old 06-03-2010, 07:34 PM   #12
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I have had no issues with signal quality while in OBX... Maybe it was an issue with your phone...
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Old 06-03-2010, 08:20 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry View Post
Well goodie for you. Asshat.
I don't really see the point in name calling. I've always considered this the mature & intelligent BB forum - that nonsense belongs on crackberry. You came into the thread half ****ed and, got your panties bundled by a comment (albeit a somewhat snarky comment..) about a carrier and tried to put your own little spin on it asking how it would help YOU which is completely irrelevent in the context of the OP's question. The OP's concern is coverage on the OBX, not in your concrete basement in the wild jungles of Northern NJ. You actually could have managed to make a quasi-valid point, and still get snippy (since it seems that you like to attack folks with your wise remarks) by asking:

"How would switching to Verizon help the OP's coverage out on the OBX?"

And then folks would jump in and let you know from experience that Verizon's coverage is better than it's competitors in the area being discussed.
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Old 06-03-2010, 08:37 PM   #14
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Whatever.
You insulted me, but can't take it yourself.
Enjoy.
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Old 06-03-2010, 08:42 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry View Post
I live 2 miles from their world headquarters. No signal in my basement. How would switching to Verizon Wireless help me?
Ok, maybe you should move out of the basement instead. ;) [ducking] Just kidding NJ.
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Old 06-03-2010, 09:53 PM   #16
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There is no way to bump signal from fair to good or good to Best, that is based entirely on the network tower locations. However, you can check see if your PRL (preferred Roaming List) is updated the the latest version to ensure your phone can knows where all towers are mapped.

Go to manage connections>Mobile Network Options, then toggle between automatic and home network only. Once completed click menu > Update Preferred List

Then go to your dial pad and enter #4357* Talk
Make sure your device software is up to date 5.0.0.624
and PRL: 60665

That will ensure your phone will get best reception, then of course try to aim the top of the phone at a window if you are indoors. Please note that if you are on "HOME ONLY" you will not roam as if you would on "AUTOMATIC." I use home only when I don't leave town because it constantly switches to the nearest sprint tower. On Automatic the phone will roam, but once on a call it will latch on to a tower and not move to the tower with the strongest signal. Not a good thing if you are moving around.
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Old 06-04-2010, 12:16 PM   #17
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Sorry guess I should have elaborated more, my cousin lives in that area and has Verizon. She has no issues that I have heard of. Didn't mean to start a feud.
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Old 06-07-2010, 11:18 AM   #18
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Theres nothing really you can do beside get a service that works there. There have been little stickers that go behind your battery, and other things that people claim to work but they dont. Yes some devices do get better service than others, but its not going to be very noticable. Maybe in 5 years, they will have services in every nook and cranny but now they dont. Kinda shows how we come to expect these things! I remember analog phones and how you were struggling to make a call in downtown Grand Rapids!
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Old 06-07-2010, 11:28 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tragic View Post
There is no way to bump signal from fair to good or good to Best, that is based entirely on the network tower locations. However, you can check see if your PRL (preferred Roaming List) is updated the the latest version to ensure your phone can knows where all towers are mapped.

Go to manage connections>Mobile Network Options, then toggle between automatic and home network only. Once completed click menu > Update Preferred List

Then go to your dial pad and enter #4357* Talk
Make sure your device software is up to date 5.0.0.624
and PRL: 60665

That will ensure your phone will get best reception, then of course try to aim the top of the phone at a window if you are indoors. Please note that if you are on "HOME ONLY" you will not roam as if you would on "AUTOMATIC." I use home only when I don't leave town because it constantly switches to the nearest sprint tower. On Automatic the phone will roam, but once on a call it will latch on to a tower and not move to the tower with the strongest signal. Not a good thing if you are moving around.
Only for Sprint
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Old 06-08-2010, 09:11 AM   #20
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For improved signal on Tour, the best solution is to load 5.0.0.6xx or higher. I notice a big difference there compared with other OS variants. See beta section on this site
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