Signal Issues on Droid

[samdroid]

I've had my Droid for a little over a month and a half and absolutely love it. However, I've been having signal strength issues with my phone, it currently shows ~-100 dBm in my apartment whereas my wife's Eris has around ~-80 dBm in the same location. I wouldn't have really worried about this but then I've also had a few dropped calls on and off while on the road, which I had actually thought were bluetooth issues. I did the PRL update and still no improvement in the signal strength per se.

I also have a Verizon body cover for the phone, not sure if that is part of the issue. Any of you have suggestions to improve signal strength on this phone?

Thanks in advance.

 

[prometheus]

I had a signal strength monitor attached to my old BB. It was amazing how the signal would vary drastically from just the way I held the phone. I'd have my thumb over a particular area and I'd get -110dbm. I'd move my thumb a little and it'd read -80dbm.

So... try some experiments, hold the phone different, turn around, all sorts of weird things until you find "the sweet spot".

Also, while driving. I would usually lay the phone on the passenger seat and use a bluetooth. Every once in a while I get sketchy reception and I move the phone to the dashboard, or hold it in my left hand near the window and it clears up.

I know this isn't a very technical answer. But, I think the antennae is very touchy and moody and needs love in order to work right.

 

[Jared DiPane]

From inside your house, have you done the *228 option 2 update on the roaming. I was having similar issues, did that recently and it has been much better.

 

[prometheus]

dream, do you know if rebooting does the same thing (regarding cell tower orientation) that *228 does?

 

[Jared DiPane]

No, rebooting will not do the same as far as I know. I believe you will have to do the *228 to update your PRL to the most current.

 

[prometheus]

No, rebooting will not do the same as far as I know. I believe you will have to do the *228 to update your PRL to the most current.

cool, didn't know that. I'll have to set a reminder to periodiacally do a *228 update (maybe after I travel).

 

[Jared DiPane]

Once a month is what is suggested, set it in your Google Calendar

 

[samdroid]

Thanks Prometheus. I'll see if that works. Right now, I've the phone flat on the desk by the window and it reads -96 dBm.

 

[samdroid]

Jared, I did the *228 this afternoon to update my PRL, haven't really checked my call quality but the signal strength hasn't improved visibly.

 

[samdroid]

Just wanted to update you folks on the signal strength issues with my phone. After quite a few back and forths with Verizon and Motorola tech support, I swapped my phone for a "like new" Moto Droid (which actually seemed brand new and the ESN was unassigned prior to that). The call clarity on the new phone is pretty good and the signal strength very strong. As for my old Moto Droid, Verizon tech support believes it could be an internal antenna issue.

In any case, those of you out there that are having call quality issues, it might be worth probing this route.