I need to try a new radio to get better reception in Raleigh, NC. Thinking about Evo radio 2.15.00.08.08 found in this XDA thread. Is this safe or do I risk bricking the phone?
I'm running CM6.2.
I'm running CM6.2.
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andygu3
Android Expert
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
Wow! Yeah, do NOT flash any radio not specifically for the handset it is intended for.
You will be one sad person if you do. Your handset will be headed for brick city!
You will be one sad person if you do. Your handset will be headed for brick city!
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
If I were you, I would flash the latest radio which I believe is this: [Radio][28th November 2010] 2.42.02.10.29 Sprint CDMA Hero - xda-developers .
If you are using ClockworkMod Recovery 3.0+, you may have trouble flashing it. So, you may have to downgrade your recovery to an older version to get it to flash correctly.
If you are using ClockworkMod Recovery 3.0+, you may have trouble flashing it. So, you may have to downgrade your recovery to an older version to get it to flash correctly.
That's the radio I'm using. Getting terrible signal in North Carolina with that.
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
Have you tried restoring your Nandroid back to stock and getting the latest PRL? That might help a little, but it is probably a long shot.
Are you getting lousy signal everywhere in North Carolina or just where you live or work? If it is where you live maybe you can get Sprint to give you a signal booster for your house. It is called an Airave. It might be worth the shot.
Yeah, I updated PRL to 60681, didn't help signal.
I'm in Raleigh, and getting poor signal everywhere here. My home was the worst, but got Sprint to send me an Airave, so home signal is strong now. Outside the Airave's range, it goes back to being lousy.
I tried the Verizon PRL hack, and that got me much better signal around Raleigh, but not at home, so I'm forced to use the Airave at home, which means I have to use Sprint's PRL/network. I'm obviously not going to switch PRL's every time I leave my house, so I'm hoping there's a radio out there that will give me better signal.
I talked to a Sprint mgr of a store down here, and he said changing his radio gave him a much better signal. He didn't have his phone on him and couldn't tell me which radio he switched to.
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
Alright. Well I am plum out of ideas then, man. It looks like you have already tried everything that I suggested. Unfortunately, you are not the first person that I have seen have issues with signal strength in North Carolina.
I never really messed with Verizon radio basebands on Sprint handsets. I did not want to take the chance of bricking my handset.
I never really messed with Verizon radio basebands on Sprint handsets. I did not want to take the chance of bricking my handset.
Appreciate the suggestions.
It's a lot simpler than that. You don't change the radio, just the PRL, so the phone looks for Verizon towers, which as we all know, are practically everywhere in comparison to Sprint towers. If you're on an unlimited data plan, you don't get charged for data roaming, though people who abuse this sometimes get letters from Sprint asking them to leave, but that seems to be for really egregious use, like several GB/mo roaming.
Switching back to Sprint towers is as simple as updating the PRL the way you normally do.
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
Appreciate the suggestions.
It's a lot simpler than that. You don't change the radio, just the PRL, so the phone looks for Verizon towers, which as we all know, are practically everywhere in comparison to Sprint towers. If you're on an unlimited data plan, you don't get charged for data roaming, though people who abuse this sometimes get letters from Sprint asking them to leave, but that seems to be for really egregious use, like several GB/mo roaming.
Switching back to Sprint towers is as simple as updating the PRL the way you normally do.
Yeah. You are right, it was the PRL, and not the radio baseband. Someone else told me that a while back, but I forgot about it. Haha.
Fortunately, I get great Sprint coverage where I am and where I need to go, so I have not had to delve into this much. I am glad that the option is available though.
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
That is very true. I believe Sprint has a limit set before they start sending you letters.
I think it might be 300 MB of roaming per month, but I could be wrong. It is odd though, because a friend of mine roams constantly at work and he has never had an issue.