Root Question regarding PRL update for those that have done it

[rooter1]

Hey all,

Been doing some research on PRL updating (currently have PRL 61007) and typically have one signal bar inside my home (this equates to roughly -99 dBm). I'm thinking it may be worth updating the PRL to see if I can possibly obtain a slightly better signal. I'd probably go ahead and do the radio update that Leslie Ann posted as well at the same time.

Just wondering from those that have updated PRL if your experience was worth the time it took you?

I appreciate any responses from those that have experience in this area.

BACKside ROM 0313 with QuickSilver theme
Link2SD 2GB partition
CWM-based Recovery 4.0.1.5

 

[nijel]

People say it helps. I can't say that, but worths the time for sure. At least you know you've done everything you can do for best reception. It's a simple task and if you follow the instructions nothing will break.
If you decide to do it you need to flash Xionia_CWMA_12518.4_VM_Recovery.img or you wont be able to connect with QPST and CDMA Workshop. And save your work on the computer because it's going to freeze after the phone reboots with the new PRL and you have to hard reset it. That's always happens on Win 7 x64 machine.
After done you can go back to CWM recovery.

 

[AndyOpie150]

If you have a Hitachi screen you might get a black screen in the recovery mode if you flash the Xionia recovery v1.2518.4. Don't worry, it has been installed, you just cant see the recovery menu. You can still see your recovery menu on your PC screen if you use Droid@Screen. Install instructions can be found here http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-all-things-root/419080-truth-about-rom-manager.html

 

[rooter1]

If you decide to do it you need to flash Xionia_CWMA_12518.4_VM_Recovery.img

After done you can go back to CWM recovery.

Hi nijel,
I should have noted in my original post that I understand I need to switch over to Xionia_CWMA_12518.4_VM_Recovery.img for this process. I keep a copy of that on my SD card just in case of a boot loop anyway.

Thanks for your response, I welcome any further input as well from others.

 

[rooter1]

If you have a Hitachi screen you might get a black screen in the recovery mode if you flash the Xionia recovery v1.2518.4. Don't worry, it has been installed, you just cant see the recovery menu. You can still see your recovery menu on your PC screen if you use Droid@Screen. Install instructions can be found here http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-all-things-root/419080-truth-about-rom-manager.html

Thanks for the information Andy I do indeed have the Hitachi screen. I appreciate the information.

As a side note, I've never used ROM Manager...I've always been a bit old school about flashing anything.

 

[nijel]

If you have a Hitachi screen you might get a black screen in the recovery mode if you flash the Xionia recovery v1.2518.4. Don't worry, it has been installed, you just cant see the recovery menu. You can still see your recovery menu on your PC screen if you use Droid@Screen. Install instructions can be found here http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-all-things-root/419080-truth-about-rom-manager.html

Thanks for pointing this out. I thought xionia was good with both screens... or there is another xionia too?

Edit: never mind there is another xionia, my bad...

 

[rooter1]

typically have one signal bar inside my home (this equates to roughly -99 dBm). I'd probably go ahead and do the radio update that Leslie Ann posted as well

I went ahead and flashed the radio update awhile ago. Now getting roughly -105 dBm.

Will tinker around with the PRL at some point this weekend I'm sure.

 

[smankins]

Wow... sounds like the radio update made it a lot worse. I just read another post where someone said their reception went from -94 to -99, I believe, after doing the radio update. Glad to know since I have been thinking about doing that myself. I also have terrible reception at home - I literally live in a small circle of poor coverage a few hundred yards in diameter according to the coverage maps and my signal improvement when I go any direction from my house.

As for the PRL, I tried changing to about 6 other ones a while back and never noticed any improvement. I went back to 61007. I guess the tower arrangement in my area was not affected by the PRL.

 

[rooter1]

Wow... sounds like the radio update made it a lot worse.

I'm not really happy about it, but what can you do?:banghead:

I'm sitting outside on my patio getting roughly -95 dBm at the moment, so I guess it could always be worse.

 

[AndyOpie150]

I left my normal coverage area a went 42 miles for some Safety Training. I got -84dBm to -87dBm
Now that I'm home, I'm getting -88dBm to -92dBm but in certain parts of the house I'm getting the usual -94dBM.

I usually just got mostly -94dBm before the update no matter where I was.
I think the update has freed up the devices signal gathering capabilities. It seems to be more responsive and sensitive if that makes any sense.

 

[yogi-4]

Updating the PRL certainly doesn't hurt. It just depends on where you are and if there are any newly Sprint added cell towers in your area (if any).

 

[rooter1]

Will tinker around with the PRL at some point this weekend I'm sure.

Got tied up with life last weekend, and didn't have a chance to change the PRL..hopefully I'll get the time this weekend. Will report my results of course when I do.

 

[AndyOpie150]

Before you change your PRL take note of what towers your phone is currently using. Then make note of which towers the phone is using after the change. This will give the members factual info to use in there decision to possibly doing the same.

Thanks.