Another Signal issue.

[spanky4350]

I have had my DroidX for two weeks and only have this issue at home. I get one to two bars of 3G and some full bar spikes 70% of the time. The other 30% I get 1X service with one to two bars. Why is the 3G signal low in my area and also, why do I get real quick 3G full signal spike? Is this because of it locking in on a different tower at times?

[gerio]

Possibly.

Also, terrain, your home's construction, other buildings, and trees can affect reception.

Have you updated the PRL on your phone? (Dial * 228 and when asked to do so, press option 2)

If this doesn't help, several "repeater"-style options are available. Look at cell repeaters from Wilson Electronics, as well as other makers. Although they have varying degrees of success, they do work.

Geri O

[spanky4350]

I haven't tried the *228 option yet. I thought it would have been done two weeks ago when I got the phone from the Verizon store. Is it possible they did not do this?

What does PRL mean?

[Purejuice1]

Hello there,

Every cell phone that comes into my area has very low signal. I called Verizon and was told there is a place on their website that I can put my cross streets in and the techs will check out the reason. Do you have that link by chance or how I could find that link? I am in a 4G area. I know there is coverage here.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[JaySean]

another thing to try is taking a look at your signal strength rather than just looking at the bars, because the bars just give you an over view of things.

Menu--> Settings--> About Phone--> Network..You will see your signal strength

DBM Measurements :

1 Bar     102 - 120 dBm
2 Bars    93 - 101 dBm
3 Bars    87 - 92 dBm
4 Bars    78 - 86 dBm
5 Bars   40 - 77 dBm

The lower the dbm the better the signal will be

Dial *228-->option 2 to update your roaming capabilities and get the best signal possible

[ArnettH_VZW]

Hello Purejuice1, 

Sorry to hear about your signal issues. If you believe that it is a network related issue, I encourage you to send us a private message with your mobile number or account number so we can evaluate your situation. From the information that you have already provided, the resolution will more likely be a network extender, which runs $249.99. Although there are several other companies that sell network extenders, ours support both voice and data. For more info on the equip you can review the link below.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=gotoFemtocell

Hope this helps...

[timelord]

I too get bad reception at home, only place actually. Yet I've never had a dropped call or anything close. Since I use my PC for internet, I don't care about the bad home reception. 

[JaySean]

Same here, when i am home the reception is low but calls are clear so i don't mind it

[duckstomper]

Sorry, I cannot see how to send a private message?  I would like someone to be able to check out my Droid X phone's signal. Is there a way to check the phone's hardware to see if the antenna/receiver is just crappy?

It doesn't work anymore (USED TO WORK) from anywhere in my home, yard, and only intermittently within a 2-3 mile radius of my house (just tried it and I had to walk for 1/2 mile before I even got 1x).  I live in a residential suburb of Minneapolis, so this is not a "rural" issue.  My daughter's Droid 2Global gets 3 bars in the house.  My husband has a Droid X and has the same issues, so either it's crappy software updates that got put on both our phones or we have bad phones. 

I did the *228 update several times now (had to go a mile from the house to get a signal that was good enough to even run the update, then ran it again 1/2 mile away on a 1x signal).  The phone toggles from the big red "loss of service, to 1 bar, to 1x with 1 bar, to 3G with 1 bar, then back to saying "LOSS OF SERVICE" and a big red loss of service icon.

We did stop at a Verizon store last night and the tech frankly was not much help.  The signal is good from their store so he doesn't see a problem.

[Cody21]

There is a FREE app in market called "Z-Device test" ...   It may have the "test" you're looking for ... 

[duckstomper]

Thanks -- I will have to go later to a location where I can GET a signal and try that app.  I will let you know what it turns up.

[Cody21]

I wanted to add something that I experienced for like 3 days this week. At my house, my signal was mostly 1X over the span of last Sunday until Tuesday. I'd get an intermittent 3G , but for some reason a LOT of the 1X's ...  I was perplexed. Did the *228 thing .. just couldn't fix it ...  suddenly on Wednesday, a solid 3G signal - as I usually get at home.  Not sure if verizon was doing something to local towers or what was causing the issue for those 3 days ... but glad it's back to normal.  (Would be nice if a "STATUS" display could be found on Verizon's site that is detailed enough to give us information.) 

[Ann154]

Preferred Roaming List

[gerio]

And this is something that you need to do, I think, every couple of months or so and also when you travel to another area.

Verizon customer service is good, but not THAT good, LOL.

Geri O

[yellowcanary73]

Is a couple miles considered another area would hate to think I have to do this every few miles.

[gerio]

LOL, do I really have to answer that?

Okay, I'll play along...No.

More like another county or another state.

Geri O

[yellowcanary73]

You never know

[firstlady09]

Do you reside in a rural area? This could affect your signal also. If so, I would recommend a Network Extender for better coverage. The Verizon Wireless Network Extender enhances indoor cellular coverage to provide more reliable wireless service. The Network Extender is compatible with all Verizon Wireless phones and works like a miniature cell tower in your home or home office. Easy to install, the Network Extender plugs into your existing high-speed Internet connection to communicate with the Verizon Wireless network.

Here is a link for additional information on the network extender. Click here http://support.vzw.com/clc/faqs/Equipment/network_extender.html

Here is additional information on what PRL means. Click here http://support.vzw.com/clc/faqs/Wireless%20Service/faq_prl_preferred_roaming_list_update.html?grp=1&...

[Morkai]

Before you purchace anything, I would base your need off of experience, not bars.

google "internet speed test" and do a test, then do a few more when your connection seems low. If not, and if you are not dropping calls, why worry about it?

[spanky4350]

The issue I have at home only is the fact that it changes back and forth from 3G to 1X.

[duckstomper]

Does Verizon pay the $249 for a network extender if a customer lives in an urban/suburban area that should have full coverage (no basement/tall building/tree obstacles either)?  I tried the *228 solution, it worked for an hour and now things are even worse than before.