[akosnitzky]

I only seem to have issue at home

[2 Samuel 22]

Originally Posted by janeenadamsmartin

ak...
At least the bars are worse -- unless I make a call, I don't really know how bad it might be. I don't suppose the scale could change on relative number of bars = xx% reception?

I have noticed on the Storm and Tour that the number of bars do not correctly coincide with the dbm signal in Status. Sometimes with no bars showing, Status shows -91 dbm.

[janeenadamsmartin]

I see where to read the "signal:, but how do you read that number? Mine has 1 bar and says -102dbm. This is at work where I normally have 4 bars.

Does that scale go to 4000 or 400 or ??

(now it says -89dbm)

jan

[janeenadamsmartin]

oh, and now it has 4 bars to go with that -89dbm!

These two readings are within 30 seconds and the phone only moved 12 inches.

jan

[nosidam]

Compared to my 8330 the Tour is definitely getting less signal in certain areas. At home, in my living room, my 8330 always got 4 bars and 1XEV. The Tour in the same spot gets 4 bars but constantly jumps between 1X and 1XEV. Phone quality is fine, but everyone now and then it takes it a long time to send an email or browse the web. This is a software issue that I hope will get fixed with an update.

[Baldie]

Compared to my 8330, my Tour sucks big time as far as data in my home. I never really had issues with my 8330 but my Tour is slow and takes time to surf the net and send emails and download. I hope there is an update to get this fixed.

[stricni]

Originally Posted by janeenadamsmartin

I just noticed that I barely get 1.5 bars at home, whereas on my 8830 I would get 3 bars.

I updated the roaming area, but that didn't improve things.

Anyone else notice a decline in reception strength?

jan

is the reception actually worse or is it just the bars that are lower? i live in a area that weather i have 1 bar or 4 i get the same cell service.

[janeenadamsmartin]

I can't be sure as I don't make a call everytime when the bars are low. I searched the internet and found a good article about why the bars bear no relation to actual service as they aren't measure noise, just signal. So I guess I can be at peace with that.

I do know that I am missing calls in areas that I would have normally gotten reception before, so I believe the reception is still worse, independent of the bar icon.

And now that I am paying attention, I notice it fluctuates from 1XEV to 1X to EV a lot!

jan

[Baldie]

Originally Posted by janeenadamsmartin

I can't be sure as I don't make a call everytime when the bars are low. I searched the internet and found a good article about why the bars bear no relation to actual service as they aren't measure noise, just signal. So I guess I can be at peace with that.

I do know that I am missing calls in areas that I would have normally gotten reception before, so I believe the reception is still worse, independent of the bar icon.

And now that I am paying attention, I notice it fluctuates from 1XEV to 1X to EV a lot!

jan

I'm getting the same issue with the 1XEV.

[BeachBumSteve]

Both 9630s on my family account are having low signal strength issues when compared to the two 8330s we were using. And most importantly, we are both experiencing a significant increase in dropped calls. Data connections are mostly usable, but fluctuate from 1XEV to 1X to 1x often. The phones routinely display 0 bars or -110db signal strength at our home, compared to an average of 2 to 3 bars or -80 to -90db on the 8330s. And we're burning through the batteries because I suspect the phones are transmitting at higher power trying to hold connection.

I hope all of you with signal strength issues call Verizon (or Sprint) and have the issue recorded on your accounts. I just completed a CS call with Verizon. I reported the issue for both 9630s on my account. The information was noted and I was passed on to tech support. He recorded the issue on my account notes. I also asked him to make sure the report was forwarded to RIM. He then called my 9630 and we did a walk around to test if the call would drop...and of course it didn't...but we all knew that's what would happen! He asked if I had done PRL updates on both...yes, twice on each phone. He was at a loss to help further, other than to suggest purchasing the femtocell (extender) unit they sell. I explained that shouldn't be needed since I had acceptable coverage on the 8330s. He also reminded me I had 30 days to return the phones. And finally, both CS reps I spoke with say they have no issues reported so far with this unit.

The point of this entire message is...if you don't call and record your issue...it will take a lot longer to get it resolved. So please...if you suspect an issue with the radio, call and get it documented.

[Jeff d]

Signal was always marginal at best at my house with any device that I've had but they've all worked for the most part (I've had every model Verizon Blackberry made since about 2003). I can't walk around at all with the Tour in my house or I lose the call. Also calls don't ring through to the device when in my house frequently and Vm notifications just show up. This is about to be a deal breaker for the Tour.

I can overlook all of the other shortcomings (Weak vibrator, slow GUI at times, etc) but if it doesn't even work well as a phone it will have to go.

[hcheun]

It's a toss up for me, where I work the service has been literally been up and down. I swear they are messing with the cell towers every week. It would be ATT getting better then worse, and then Verizon would be worse and then getting better, and vice versa for both. So I can't really judge whether if it's the phone or the towers/service accurately.

I noticed that it seemed weaker first out of the box , but after using it a while and taking it back to my home, where i get excellent coverage , it was working fine as a champ.

It' seriously like everyone says on here, just depends on the coverage area. Otherwise, the phone is working with no difference than my previous BlackBerry phones (8830, Curve, Storm).

[jgb@etree]

If you're trying to do an accurate comparison, I'd recommend toggling the signal strength display from bars to display the actual signal strength.

Alt-NMLL toggles it.

[island-guy]

Compared to my previous 8330 I can say that my Tour gets much better reception. Whereas my 8330 would consistently lose calls in certain areas I frequent, my Tour can hold the signal now quite easily. It doesn't seem to roam onto Verizon as much either. A neat thing is that it will occasionally jump onto a GSM network when I'm really losing it. I really likey a lot!

[cbunting]

I'm having the same problem... I was just going to load vzw software on my sprint tour to see if it made a difference, but after reading this, I guess I'll have to return it (sigh) ... I can't hold a call in my house at all... 8703 was fine in the house... RIM really screwed up big time with the RF on this thing... this is my 2nd tour...

[qwick]

My signal has been stronger (I got a call in grand central station on the train platform - answered it and it worked) so far.

[Mattywalnuts]

My data signal has dropped to 1xev twice already, I can't remember the last time that happened with my 8830.

[janeenadamsmartin]

alt-NMLL?? Where/when/how do I do that? It doesn't appear to do anything from the home screen.

Also, how do you read the signal strength? Is a lower or higher number better?

I will call Verizon and just register my concern, but I don't want to turn the phone in until I figure out how consistently this is happening.

jan

[rambo47]

Same-same here. 3-4 bars with the Curve and the Tour. They're both better than my Palm Pre though.

[vinniemac3]

mine isn't looking to good. i keep dropping calls and am constantly in 1xev. i had no problems with curve or pearl