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Since I was a dumb and bought a Tmo TP2 to use on ATT, I was wondering if I could buy the antenna from the ATT version and swap it into my phone. Though I doubt it is, I was curious if this is feasible?
Since both networks are UTMS, not CDMA, and thus use similar frequencies, why, therefore, would you want to disassemble your phone and mess with the antenna system, which should work perfectly well on both networks?
Frankly, it sounds to me like you have a different problem: Your phone is most likely locked to T-Mobile, meaning that it cannot use the AT&T system.
Your problem is therefore contractual, not technological, in nature.
I think the OP was actually asking if he could switch his radio, since the T-Mobile radio will not get 3G speeds on AT&T's network (discussed quite a bit here; do a search).
The answer is no. Although it may be technically possible, it would not be practical. Far easier to just sell your T-Mobile version and by an AT&T one.
Ok yea I guess its the radio. Thought it would be the antenna. Could you please explain the difference. I guess the antenna is solely reception and the radio is what interprets the signal? Is there a broken down pic where you can point out the radio.
I was hoping I could just get this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250525496122&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123
Radio: The electronic hardware used to convert electromagnetic radiation signal (radio waves) into usable electrical impulses to decipher to either data (ones and zeros) or audio (speech, music, etc). May also use software systems to further enhance or aid the deciphering of the received signal.
Antenna: The hardware (often as simple as a long wire, sometimes as complex as an array of directional beam antennae) used to gather said electromagnetic radiation signal, and direct it to the radio electronics hardware.
Hope that helps
Thank you for your replies.
So Im guessing the radio is either expensive to buy or requires to replace the whole motherboard?
Alright. I love my Evo, but I hate my Sprint Coverage. My AT&T Contract isn't quite up yet, and I was thinking: What is stopping us from all being able to change providers to AT&T or T-Mobile? GSM vs CDMA. What is we copied an AT&T SIM card and put the data on the phone, and we told the phone to treat it as a SIM? We could then all switch to AT&T. Just throwing that out there. /discuss.
Sorry but I didn't get AT&T for a reason, their Crap!
While that is an interesting idea, it is impossible. The physical radios used in CDMA and GSM phones are different and cannot be interchanged without swapping entire circuit boards.
Peblairman said:
Alright. I love my Evo, but I hate my Sprint Coverage. My AT&T Contract isn't quite up yet, and I was thinking: What is stopping us from all being able to change providers to AT&T or T-Mobile? GSM vs CDMA. What is we copied an AT&T SIM card and put the data on the phone, and we told the phone to treat it as a SIM? We could then all switch to AT&T. Just throwing that out there. /discuss.
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SIM card or not, there still needs to be an actual GSM radio chip on the board, the EVO does not have this and I've personally seen the circuit board 1000 times.
Short of getting your hands on an RF chip for AT&T, unsoldering the Qualcomm radio chip and somehow resoldering the AT&T chip (probably a nokia chip) onto the EVO board I don't see this happening, not even in a virtual way.
Hardware is still needed to transeive the proper frequency and TDMA/GSM waves for AT&T usage.
In short, you'd basically be building your own EVO for AT&T, and you'd need access to circuit boards and other things needed to build ont that board, and unless you work at Qualcomm and have access to GSM RF chips, I don't see that happening, nor would it be worth the time nor effort. Just buy yourself whatever version of the EVO decides to get built for AT&T if you want AT&T.
Furthoremore, AT&T could give 2 ish's what HTC builds for them, they only care about their precious iPhone, everything else might as well be built to either get them laid or make them sammiches because AT&T is not the least bit interested in Android. Look at their crap line up of Android phones? Pathetic to say the least.
Also modifying the transmitter of any FCC Type Accepted device is against the law. Get caught you are looking at fines, and a possible prison sentence. The FCC seems to have a hissy fit when comes to anything Cellphone related.
Hi, does anybody know if the Gratia and Aria covers are interchangeable?
My wife has an Aria and is happy with it. I was thinking of getting a Gratia, but swapping cases so that she can have a white one on her Aria.
Given the antenna is in the cover and the phones are for different markets I wondering if the antennae might be different? Does anyone know for sure if they are interchangeable?
Thanks
I'm not 100% positive the covers are interchangeable, but I think they are. However, they aren't both compatible with the same wireless networks. You can use them both, but the Gratia won't be 3G in the U.S. because it utilizes different frequencies. It will still get data, but it will be at EDGE speeds.
Yes I realise the phones are for different markets and operate at different frequencies but I'm wondering if that means the antennae are actually different.
I noticed Expansys USA has the Gratia cover listed under accessories for the Aria,
But then what they quote for the Gratia "Mfr Part #:" is 74H01655-11M, whereas HD-Mini is 74H01655-02M (nothing listed for Aria, but I think it is also 74H01655-02M)
I'm only really interested in data in the UK on both devices, as I prefer not to pay bucket loads to the phone company when roaming, but my wife wants a white phone!
There are countless innovations of technology nowadays. There’s a fast pace of technology development even on phones. Some finest innovations of phones today are aria phones from LG and cordless phones. People keep on inventing gadgets on how to make life easier.
Doesn't the antenna just collect the signal? Surely whether it will work on a particular frequency is determined by the radio hardware in the device?
I'm just thinking - an antenna is an antenna isn't it? Same way you can use a coat hanger to pick up FM or even TV transmissions, it's all just about capturing the radio waves right?
I could be miles off base here but I honestly would have thought that the antenna that's built in to the back cover would NOT be specific to a particular GSM frequency.
Would love to know for sure though.
woodbane said:
Doesn't the antenna just collect the signal? Surely whether it will work on a particular frequency is determined by the radio hardware in the device?
I'm just thinking - an antenna is an antenna isn't it? Same way you can use a coat hanger to pick up FM or even TV transmissions, it's all just about capturing the radio waves right?
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AFAIK, right. If the contacts are in the same place the cover should work quite well.
woodbane said:
Doesn't the antenna just collect the signal? Surely whether it will work on a particular frequency is determined by the radio hardware in the device?
I'm just thinking - an antenna is an antenna isn't it? Same way you can use a coat hanger to pick up FM or even TV transmissions, it's all just about capturing the radio waves right?
I could be miles off base here but I honestly would have thought that the antenna that's built in to the back cover would NOT be specific to a particular GSM frequency.
Would love to know for sure though.
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That's technically not true - GSM antennae are most certainly tuned for particular frequencies - if you look online, you'll see different ones with different specifications, like 850 thru 900, or 1800 or 1900. However, through some trickery, a single antenna can be tuned for more than one frequency at a time.
That being said, I have no idea what the antenna in the back of the Aria or Gratia are tuned for - it's possible they might be dual band specific to the carrier (ATT 850/1900 or Euro 900/2100) or it might be a universal one capable of picking up all 4 or more frequencies.
I'd say best bet is to get one of the other ones, try it out and see. And let us know - I'd considered getting a green one for use in the US...
johdaxx said:
That's technically not true - GSM antennae are most certainly tuned for particular frequencies - if you look online, you'll see different ones with different specifications, like 850 thru 900, or 1800 or 1900. However, through some trickery, a single antenna can be tuned for more than one frequency at a time.
That being said, I have no idea what the antenna in the back of the Aria or Gratia are tuned for - it's possible they might be dual band specific to the carrier (ATT 850/1900 or Euro 900/2100) or it might be a universal one capable of picking up all 4 or more frequencies.
I'd say best bet is to get one of the other ones, try it out and see. And let us know - I'd considered getting a green one for use in the US...
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I hear what you are saying but I think people are confusing the antenna with the GSM radio built in to the phone.
Whether a phone utilizes 850/1900 or 1900/2100 bands would surely be a funtion of the radio in the phone that is hard coded to those frequencies.
Isn't an antenna just "fishing net' that actually gathers the signal?
Again, could be miles off base here, just applying my own brand of common sense.
woodbane said:
Doesn't the antenna just collect the signal? Surely whether it will work on a particular frequency is determined by the radio hardware in the device?
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It really depends on how the antenna was designed. Resonant frequencies are generally a factor...so antenna length could matter. Polarization and radiation patterns are also taken into consideration.
That said, until one has both covers (or finds some internal design docs), it's hard to know if there is any difference.
woodbane said:
I hear what you are saying but I think people are confusing the antenna with the GSM radio built in to the phone.
Whether a phone utilizes 850/1900 or 1900/2100 bands would surely be a funtion of the radio in the phone that is hard coded to those frequencies.
Isn't an antenna just "fishing net' that actually gathers the signal?
Again, could be miles off base here, just applying my own brand of common sense.
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Unfortunately, common sense doesn't really apply when it comes to signal theory.
I'm not an expert by any means, but from what I remember from a signals course I took a few years ago in college, johdaxx's and M1m3R's posts are both spot on.
johdaxx said:
That's technically not true - GSM antennae are most certainly tuned for particular frequencies
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Both the Aria and the Gratia work for the 4 bands of GSM, so there's really no problem if such tunning was a factor to consider.
The quality of HTC Support on this was really quite shocking, e.g.
Thank you for contacting HTC regarding the swapping of Back cover. In short to your email. Yes buy [sic] swapping the back plate can have effect on the device's perfomance. Which is why we recommend original products. Mohammed - UK Ireland Support (Tech)
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When challenged he came back with:
"It does not matter which cover goes on because the real difference is the internal components."
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Then...
"I can confirm that the back cover is just a bit of plastic. If the connectors will allow you to plug the new back cover in then it will work." Jason [UK - Ireland Support (Tech)
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When I pointed out there were some metal contacts...
"Those connectors are there so that the phone knows that the back cover is on the phone. It has nothing to do with the signal as the antennas are up the top of the phone. "
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I pointed out HTC's own support website says: "the antenna for the HTC Aria ™ is located in the battery cover."
"There is nothing more we can do, as we will be going in circles regarding this matter." Mohammed (again)
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kc1 said:
The quality of HTC Support on this was really quite shocking, e.g.
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idk man, for me that's the typical quality. I dont expect any help from any large company. For example ask any carrier's seller about batteries, they all gonna say you should fully discharge it before charging, like the old batteries. They know nothing.
But, again, both phones uses the same gsm radio freq. The only real change in hardware is the umts radio freq and I'm pretty sure the covers doesnt change cause of that. Hell, every GSM phone has a different antenna solution and they all work with the same quad band freqs
OK Back to to casing now where can u buy a white back for the HTC Aria and know that it'll work, I would love to have a white back on my Aria...
I would love to get a fluorescent green one.....
I was recently gifted a Note 2, which is awesome and I love it, but I feel it's a shame for such a nice phone to be stuck on edge, even with Tmobile's refarming (laaaaaame). Everything I can find on Google says that it's a hardware limitation, not firmware. So I wonder, what if I swapped out the radios?
I'm aware that such a feat would require replacing the entire motherboard. If I buy a T889 motherboard and put it in my phone, what kind of issues would I run into, if any? I would have to flash firmwares and radios and such- would going to the Tmobile Note 2 board and flashing everything stock that I find over there be sufficient? Any IMEI issues that I would run into? Would my phone now be considered a SGH-T889?
No, returning/reselling and buying the T889 isn't an option. It's too much effort for uncertain risks for something I don't care all that much about. I'd be open to a trade, but it would have to be an exact counterpart to my own (unlocked, titanium gray, screen protector from new, great condition). I'm sure trading is much easier, but modding sounds much more fun.
Even if I do the mod, it won't be right away, as motherboards are rather scarce and the prices are higher than I'm willing to pay.
Not sure if it matters, but my note 2 is stock rooted and my efs partition is backed up.
Selofain said:
I was recently gifted a Note 2, which is awesome and I love it, but I feel it's a shame for such a nice phone to be stuck on edge, even with Tmobile's refarming (laaaaaame). Everything I can find on Google says that it's a hardware limitation, not firmware. So I wonder, what if I swapped out the radios?
I'm aware that such a feat would require replacing the entire motherboard. If I buy a T889 motherboard and put it in my phone, what kind of issues would I run into, if any? I would have to flash firmwares and radios and such- would going to the Tmobile Note 2 board and flashing everything stock that I find over there be sufficient? Any IMEI issues that I would run into? Would my phone now be considered a SGH-T889?
No, returning/reselling and buying the T889 isn't an option. It's too much effort for uncertain risks for something I don't care all that much about. I'd be open to a trade, but it would have to be an exact counterpart to my own (unlocked, titanium gray, screen protector from new, great condition). I'm sure trading is much easier, but modding sounds much more fun.
Even if I do the mod, it won't be right away, as motherboards are rather scarce and the prices are higher than I'm willing to pay.
Not sure if it matters, but my note 2 is stock rooted and my efs partition is backed up.
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1. research/check on the LTE frequency bands t mobile uses then go check for example at gsmarena.com if the N7105 supports those bands by checking it's technical specifications
2. in the mean time you can try this.. go to SETTINGS then MORE SETTINGS then MOBILE WIRELESS change your NETWORK MODE to LTE/GSM/WCDMA AUTO
if this doesn't work and t mobile runs in an LTE frequency band supported by your handset it could also mean you need to upgrade/replace your SIM card .....same number but the new chip has LTE features inside it..it's possible
Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 4
dead soul said:
1. research/check on the LTE frequency bands t mobile uses then go check for example at gsmarena.com if the N7105 supports those bands by checking it's technical specifications
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I've done my research on this. Tmobile uses AWS, which the n7105 doesn't support. Tmobile is refarming some of their 1900Mhz to free up frequencies for LTE, which the n7105 does support, but I'm not getting 3G speeds in those areas at all. I've seen around these boards that I'm not the only one to do so.
dead soul said:
2. in the mean time you can try this.. go to SETTINGS then MORE SETTINGS then MOBILE WIRELESS change your NETWORK MODE to LTE/GSM/WCDMA AUTO
if this doesn't work and t mobile runs in an LTE frequency band supported by your handset it could also mean you need to upgrade/replace your SIM card .....same number but the new chip has LTE features inside it..it's possible
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As I said before, my research indicates that it's a radio hardware issue, not firmware. There are posts on how to get AT&T/Verizon/Sprint/Tmobile versions to work on each other's networks, but not much on getting international versions to fully support LTE in the US. Besides, I get 4G just fine in my old G2.
Which brings me to my original question- what issues would I run into should I do a motherboard swap?
Bump.
Selofain said:
I've done my research on this. Tmobile uses AWS, which the n7105 doesn't support. Tmobile is refarming some of their 1900Mhz to free up frequencies for LTE, which the n7105 does support, but I'm not getting 3G speeds in those areas at all. I've seen around these boards that I'm not the only one to do so.
As I said before, my research indicates that it's a radio hardware issue, not firmware. There are posts on how to get AT&T/Verizon/Sprint/Tmobile versions to work on each other's networks, but not much on getting international versions to fully support LTE in the US. Besides, I get 4G just fine in my old G2.
Which brings me to my original question- what issues would I run into should I do a motherboard swap?
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I have seen my note II bring opened up and I have seen a video of a N7100 being open up...they are virtually identical to me atleast.... I saw all the complex/circuitry /smart chips were all on one board like RAM, CPU including the radio...Obb the motherboard..most things if not all which connect to the motherboard are dumb circuits like there was a small board which holds the charging port and Mic and that board has a cable to connect to the main mother board...which I'm pretty sure it's dumb.no advanced circuitry...the 3.5 mm Jack port same thing, the antennas are just cables nothing smart on that, the LCD had a one cable I believed just connecting to the mother board...I personally, only my opinion there could even be a good chance somebody could even switch a note II motherboard and force into a note I so if you want to change mother boards between note II variants I think you could be successful...but again..I could be wrong...see some note II tear downs on YouTube between note II variants..and do the judging by yourself
Sent from my Samsung Note II N7105 LTE using Tapatalk 4
I want to get a carrier for my Note 2 R950, but unfortunately they're a GSM service and the R950 isn't compatible with GSM services. What part(s) would I have to swap to get GSM capabilities? I think I would have to swap the speaker module with a N7100 part (since it contains the CDMA/GSM antenna I think), and a replacement N7100 logic board with a clean ESN (pretty sure I have a bad IMEI, also Sprint doesn't allow other phones onto its network but its own), but maybe I'm wrong. What would I have to replace?
meantomatoes said:
I want to get a carrier for my Note 2 R950, but unfortunately they're a GSM service and the R950 isn't compatible with GSM services. What part(s) would I have to swap to get GSM capabilities? I think I would have to swap the speaker module with a N7100 part (since it contains the CDMA/GSM antenna I think), and a replacement N7100 logic board with a clean ESN (pretty sure I have a bad IMEI, also Sprint doesn't allow other phones onto its network but its own), but maybe I'm wrong. What would I have to replace?
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I can't replace the speaker. Just noticed that the R950 layout is different around that area and would require getting a different digitizer assembly entirely (there's simply a screwhead that doesn't fit with any other part) Wondering if I could use Sprint's CDMA without replacing that speaker but just the logic board (as Sprint doesn't allow other phones) or maybe even GSM services?
meantomatoes said:
I can't replace the speaker. Just noticed that the R950 layout is different around that area and would require getting a different digitizer assembly entirely (there's simply a screwhead that doesn't fit with any other part) Wondering if I could use Sprint's CDMA without replacing that speaker but just the logic board (as Sprint doesn't allow other phones) or maybe even GSM services?
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Actually, I observed the speaker module more and it looks like I could just cut out that conflicting plastic so it'd fit. I'm not sure about the connectors but I believe they fit. After looking at some diagrams, it looks like the speaker module is the primary CDMA/GSM antenna module, so I'd probably have to swap it. I'm trying different SIMs and even though I'm on CyanogenMod it won't change. (which is weird because it stuck to Verizon signal? I'm using an R950 logic board and SIM card atm but it still connects to Verizon) wouldn't make a difference if I'm changing the logic board anyway but it's worth noting.