Develop Bugs

[Q] Possible to swap antennas?

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?

[Q] Idea: Virtual SIM Card

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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.

AT&T Tilt 2 Motherborad

I recently purchased a t7373 with dual cameras only to find out it doesn't work here in the usa. I need an AT&T Tilt 2 motherboard with the Antenna Module for this to work. Does anyone know of or have these items. I would really appreciate this.

If it isn't a US phone, it is probably broadcasting on different frequencies than we use here in the States. Some of the frequencies overlap, but you won't get great coverage and you won't get the full coverage map for your carrier.
Not much you can do about it either. You'd have to physically replace the antenna. Not sure that's even possible, but if it is it will require some serious precision soldering.
Otherwise, you'll just have to replace the whole phone. It'll cost you more to try to replace the mobo than just replacing the phone.

*WIP* Making a Sprint galaxy S3 sim card compatible.. *update / installed*

The Goal is to let a L710 sim card compatible. (global capable)
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12/24
I installed a few verizon roms. I can change the network setting, but always get an error when i search for net works.
I only have 2 sim cards to test it out so I am not sure if there are bad sims. One is verizon LTE and onther is from an overseas gsm carrier tigo.
What more can I do with out bricking my phone?
I added some screen caps.
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12/6
I finally received the part from china. I installed it fairly easily. I did have to cut the back cover and pat of the metal plate from the reader.
Sd card works and reads fine. I only have have a verizon LTE and a tigo sim card to try it out So I am going to try flashing different roms soon, I am on Blazer. Nothing seems to happen when the verizon sim is inserted.
you are still be able to use sprint LTE, since the sprint sim is built into the main board and not the sd/sim reader.
Any have advise on how i can check if it know a sim card is inserted?
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I was searching ebay for parts and I found this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIM-SD-Card...341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2575c1e915
It should be as easy as unplugging the old one and plugging in the new one. You would also need to get a verizon back plate. But this phone is super easy to open and change parts, minus the screen.
You will lose LTE, unless there is some way to get a sim from sprint (the Iphone 5 has one).
Does anyone know a res eon this will not work? I plan on ordering one later today.
Thanks

ranchosteve said:
The Goal is to let a L710 sim card compatible.
I was searching ebay for parts and I found this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIM-SD-Card...341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2575c1e915
It should be as easy as unplugging the old one and plugging in the new one. You would also need to get a verizon back plate. But this phone is super easy to open and change parts, minus the screen.
You will lose LTE, unless there is some way to get a sim from sprint (the Iphone 5 has one).
Does anyone know a res eon this will not work? I plan on ordering one later today.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems pretty ambitious! I can't wait to see what develops

Quick question... Why?
Sprint LTE uses a different frequency than every other major carrier. You're not going to pop in an AT&T (or any other) card and use their LTE, and you'd still be tied to Sprint CDMA unless I'm mistaken.

NeoMatrixJR said:
Quick question... Why?
Sprint LTE uses a different frequency than every other major carrier. You're not going to pop in an AT&T (or any other) card and use their LTE, and you'd still be tied to Sprint CDMA unless I'm mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe he stated his goal is to put a SIM slot in his s3. No where did he mention AT&T or using it for any other companies. He said he would need a Sprint SIM, and no others. He did say something about a Verizon backplate though
I believe you must have left the Matrix Neo, you're not on your toes
Edit: Oops, didn't see the "JR". You're still in training
Sent from my White Galaxy s3 by Sprint

What is the point? Most carriers that use SIM cards(if not all) use GSM radios. This phone has CDMA radios, so it wont pick up the signal.

shiftr182 said:
What is the point? Most carriers that use SIM cards(if not all) use GSM radios. This phone has CDMA radios, so it wont pick up the signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see it's pointless for most. But for those who travel and don't wanna pay sprint ridicules roaming rates, like me. It does have a cdma radio but the LTE part of the phone has gsm capabilities like the Verizon version.
It's more of proof of concept more than anything.

The Sprint SGSIII uses a RUIM that is hardwired to that board. A RUIM can do what a SIM can do as well as handle CDMA subscriber information. An early manual for the Sprint SGSIII showed instructions for SIM removal/installation, but it was changed before launch to be a non-removable component. Likely why the phone was delayed; they changed their minds on making it a fully-fledged World Phone in lieu of other models like the new Photon.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

its next to impossible to get a sim card for the iphone5...

The S3 would have to have another Radio hardware installed to be what you are talking about as in Travel.
That's one of the Cool features on my line 2, Motorola Photon.....World Phones is what they are called.....Sim cards most useful purpose is to move data from one phone to another, contacts etc..

I spent hours researching this as well, not to try and enable GSM for global roaming, but to maybe, possibly get LTE from Cricket working. I looked at a few pictures of the main board from Ebay auctions, and while I think it's possible to do what the OP is proposing, our main board is not the same as other GS3s. I'm no expert, but the components that are under the microSD and cover plate aren't the same, even compared to a Verizon board. On top of that, the embedded SIM card is located on the skinny side that runs up the side of the phone, next to the battery.
I can't say with certainty, since I haven't scoured every single thread on the subject, but I haven't seen anyone provide the ability to bypass the embedded SIM. Well, maybe they did when they hacked the Photon. As far as the radio goes, it would seem that flashing new radio firmware might work to get the radio operating at the right frequency. Again, I make no real claims on this, as I'm no expert. LOL But from the info I can find, the radios are the same, at least on the dual core variants across the board, and are controlled by firmware. So, in the OP's idea, this would be less than ideal, unless someone could write a custom radio version that would retain CDMA voice and EVDO data for Sprint, as well as pointing the LTE/GSM side to the appropriate frequency.
Looking at Sprint's Galaxy Note 2, the embedded SIM looks to actually be on the metal cover that houses its microSD slot, so at least that part of the equation seems like it would be easier to accomplish with that phone.
For my part, I figured that even if Cricket would allow me to buy an LTE SIM and attach it to my ESN in their system, it would still be a major pain to try and overcome the embedded SIM hurdle.
In closing, I hope that no one interprets my ramblings as me being negative. When I saw the Photon hacked, I quickly realized that it was well beyond my comfort zone seeing as I don't have the funds to replace my phone when (Not if!) I destroyed it! I'm sure that it could be possible, especially given the talent of a lot of the members of XDA. I just wanted to put in my 2 cents, and point out that there is a lot more involved than just plugging in a new component and popping in a SIM card. Hopefully people here will rip apart my thoughts and prove me wrong, as I am very interested in trying to convert my phone to use Cricket's LTE.

Why not just get a Verizon gs3 ?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

It works on the Photon? If I'm not mistaken that came with a dual freq radio I think.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

any updates?

why not just get a gsm gs3?

first post update.

illusionistpro said:
why not just get a gsm gs3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you SEEN what S3's sell for ? yeah that's why hehehe

Jesus Christ fix the title of this thread already.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium HD app

how about a verizon gs3 port
would you think a verizon gs3 port to sprint gs3 will work being that phone is a world phone? i think it is..

a Sim toolkit is included in /system/app/
All you need i a launcher or an app that lets you create shortcuts to Activities, and you can then point it to the Sim Toolkit.

O I c...
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

[Q] Modding the GT-n7105 to get LTE on Tmobile

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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