MLtech

How would I know if it has a custom ROM? It is build number JZ054K.L710VPBMB1

I got the Kernal update to build number JZO54K.L710VPBMD4 and now it works to enter the ##33284# and asks for lockcode and 777468 works to get into the LTE Engineering dialog. Not sure what the problem was before, but it is working now. Thanks.

I have Sensorly installed and have it running on trips to report. I'm not sure how I access the info in collects from my phone -- just how to see the maps they create. How do I get details that would be helpful to S4gru?

I also have just installed Signal Check Light. Will that give me useful info? I'm not in an LTE area right now.

Thanks for the help. Just got this S-3 phone, so nothing special on the ROM.

I'm not sure what is up with your unit. I tried ##33284# and then entered 777468 on the lock code request on my GS3 and it worked fine. It also worked fine just now on my Note 2 and Victory. Does your phone have a custom ROM?

 

Robert via Nexus 7 with Tapatalk HD

How would I know if it has a custom ROM? It is build number JZ054K.L710VPBMB1

OK. I think I have typed this 50 times now in several forums. So I have decided to consolidate this in one thread and direct people here...

 

Did you know that with Sprint LTE Android devices, the signal strength indicator at the top does not show your LTE signal strength? Even if 4G is displayed next to it?

 

This signal displayed here is always your 1x (voice signal), and it is not your 3G EVDO signal strength, nor your LTE signal strength. Regardless of whether it says 3G or 4G next to it. This is the cause of a lot of confusion. Also, third party apps like NetMonitor and CDMA Field Test do not show accurate LTE signal strengths. They also only show the 1x signal strength, even though they may reference being connected to LTE.

 

The purpose of this thread is to help educate the masses, because many people think they have a strong LTE signal, when in fact they do not. And then they are unhappy, thinking that Sprint LTE is really slow, even with a strong signal. LTE performance is very signal strength dependent. So, when you have a weak signal, you can expect much slower than peak results.

 

There is only one accurate way to get your LTE signal strength, and that is from your LTE Engineering screen in your Debug menu. And we will discuss the different ways to get that below.

 

 

...In the Galaxy S-III, Victory LTE & Note II:

• Go in to your phone app, and dial ##DEBUG#
  
• Enter 777468 for your lock code
  
• Select LTE Engineering
  
• Go down to RSRP. The number next to RSRP shown in dBm is your LTE signal strength.
  

..The LTE Signal Strength Scale:

 

Now you have determined your actual LTE signal strength in dBms your device is receiving, you can use the following scale below to determine its strength:

• Better than -96dBm is a great signal
  
• Between -97dBm and -107dBm is good
  
• Between -108dBm and -114dBm is fair
  
• Worse than -115dBm is poor
  

Feel free to link people to this thread for explanation. Hopefully, this will clear up some confusion out there!

 

NOTE: It appears that the iPhone 5 does show LTE signal strength in the status bar, when the LTE icon is displayed. So this does not apply to the iPhone.

Thank you for the post. I'm still having trouble getting the LTE Engineering Screen so show. I suspect I'm missing something obvious, or maybe I don't have some setting correct on my phone. I have a Samsung Galaxy S-3 on Sprint and when I dial I can't directly enter letters, so I'm assuming you mean to use the number equivalents which comes out as ##33284# and then 777468. But when I enter that I get a message saying "feature code you entered is not valid, ... message 1 switch 352". Is there some other way to enter letters? Do I need to set up my phone is some way?

I noticed an LTE symbol pop up on the top of my phone yesterday at the Cariboo by I35 exit 84 in Lakeville, MN, but I cant figure much more about that.

Also I went to a tower just East of Mankato, MN yesterday and had no LTE signal, but it appears the crew just finished installing 3 new NV panels, RHHs and Hybrid fiber lines along with two new Samsung ground cabinets. The Sprint sign said MS03NP416.

Drove by tower today just East of Waterville, MN on MN60 and noticed it has NV antennas. Don't know if it is working yet.

Drove by tower at Ewing Ave S and Egan Drive in Burnsville, MN on Friday 1-4-2013 and noticed it now has fiber lines and NV antennas in place. Don't know if it is working yet.

I've just noticed NV up installed on towers at Rice and Hwy36 (just west of I-35E), Douglas Ave N and Duluth St W in Golden Valley, and 49th Ave N and US169 in New Hope. Not sure if any are up, but noticed Sensorly shows signal around the tower in New Hope. These all just went in recently so likely to be in test mode for some time.