Poor Coverage or Poor Radio Software?

[fjhaley]

Question?

How many times have you been in an area where you KNOW there is a nearby tower yet have no signal?

I decided to do a test this morning on my way to work, seeing as how my signal is always so spotty. I put the i705 on the dash as I drove to work and glanced at the signal every now and then. I live in an area where I usually don't have coverage, and drive to an office where the Cingular tower can be seen out the window. As I drove near the tower, I watched the signal. Nothing. Waited, nothing... finally while stopped at a light, I turned off the radio, and then turned it back on. Shaaaazaaaammm... almost a full strength signal.

Anyone else has this experience?

fjhaley

[PDA_Guy]

I have noticed what seems to be a simillar phenomena, sometimes. I think that it may have to do with the fact that the i705 searches numerous radio frequency channels, probably corresponding to different tower locations.

I suspect what may be happening, is that the unit locks onto a channel and a location and probably tries to maintain communication with it.

When you turned off the unit/transmitter, you probably manually forced it to search for another signal and of course by that time it chose the tower that is close to you.

This might be what is happening. Just a theory

[jbucko]

have also had same experience here...I know a signal should be available but the red light is blinking "no signal"...I turn off wireless and then switch it back on and yep...almost a full signal...Palm definitely needs to work on this

[insight]

Having just gone thru cell-phone-Purgatory, I learned quite a few things about towers and coverage.

I had a serious software problem with an ATT v60 phone, where I was unable to place or receive calls while in the middle of TDMA coverage areas. (Yes, I realise the difference in standards, but the 'cell' principle is the same ) While traveling in Dallas and Charleston, SC, I was told by customer support to turn on and turn off the phone frequently because it would need to 're-register' with the towers while being mobile, until I was sent a replacement. Even tho, in principle, I should have NOT needed to do this, it did help 'make' my phone work, albeit temporarily.

Those of you who stated that your Palms were 'stuck' in communication with a particular tower (or even a different network) are absolutely correct. And keep in mind that Cingular is a collection of cellular companies, and therefore not all towers that Cingular uses are their own (in the truest sense). It could be a 'comedy of errors' between both Palm and Cingular for exactly why this happens. In other words ........... IMHO, both devise and network have culpability.