Field test screen

[buzzy]

Can anyone tell me how to get into the field test screen on a 2035 or 2235 and how to make use of it?
Mostly I want to check RF capture as my 2035 stinks!
I want to see if the 2235 is any better.
If anyone knows how to get the same info for Moto older flips, 7868?
Thanks,

[cryogenic]

On most 2035 and 2235 phones, the field debug code is 000000. Then go into Debug Screen and set it to basic. One other nice thing is that it functions as a keypad lock at the same time... you have to press OK to dial any numbers or anything when the debug screen is up.

[buzzy]

thanks Cry.

And with Rx at -103, that I assume, is the capture sensitivity at that moment?
And what does PN432 2 mean to me, anything?

Sometimes I got this:
CH0340P4
and
P######
when there was no dig sig.

Do you happen to know what the EVRC setting is?

Do you happen to know the entry into this same screen for Moto 7868 era phones?
And since you own the T61z, perhaps itâ??s the same as the T61c?

Iâ??m looking to compare the RF capture on the three.

Thanks again,

[cryogenic]

Motos and SE's are completely different as far as finding the field test screen.... Recent Motos used #PROGRAM# or #DEBUG#, not sure which. Basically, you'd hit the # key, then type DEBUG on the keypad to get in. But you're talking about a StarTac, so I'm not quite sure howt hat goes. And as far as your question about the 2035 vs 2235, they're 100% identcal... I've placed my friend's 2035 next to my 2235 and both will generally read the same Tx/Rx stats at any given time, provided the antennae are both either up or down. And yes, as you suspected, -103dB is awful, I'd be surprised if you could even call out with that. I've noticed that mine begins to warble pretty badly at anything in the high 90's or worse, though conversation is still understandable. I believe my phone drops to no signal at -108 or -112 (most likely the latter). EVRC setting is for Enhanced Variable Rate Codec settings; there are no user-configurable settings in here, as I was given the code (since forgotten) and the phone merely paused for about 3 seconds and then reset.... according to the tech guys it's configured from the tower over the air. In the field test menus, you can "Force Voice SO" which allows you to force the phone to use EVRC or the standard 13k vocoder. I will warn you that in low signal areas, EVRC is optimal as it allows the phone to adjust bitrate and lower audio quality in order to hold a call instead of dropping off due to the inability to broadcast enough data at the 13k rate to keep the call open. From what I hear, EVRC sounds better when signal starts to fade, as it seems to deal with bit errors better, perhaps. If you run the test calls for both 8k and 13k when your signal is at 1-2 bars, you'll understand when you look at the error rate. At 13k, mine was pushing 2.5% error rate while only 1.05% at 8k, which is what EVRC would probably use when signal is very low (-95dB or so would be my guess)... keeping the bit errors low allows you to actually hold a call, instead of getting overly choppy audio and eventually the phone not transmitting and receiving enough data to and from the cell site for it to keep the connection open. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[buzzy]

interesting. I put my 2035 next to a friends 2235. His Rx was always 4db better to as much as 10 db. Of course the meter averaging on these phones isnt exactly the fastest. But there was a diff, to be sure. Ill try the debug concept you suggest with my wifes 7868. Whenever Ive had one of them phones next to my Kyo, the Moto has many times full deflection when mine barely had D. Coulda been my phone all long. Annoying. But I did like the ergonoms of the 2235, in use. If only I could transfer my phone book from my 2035 or my Palm to it. What a pain again!

[cryogenic]

That's kinda odd that you and your friend's phones show such a difference in signal. My friend's phone and mine were both in a known good signal area (-80 dB or so), and they were always within 1-2 dB... and even inside a club where both of us barely had signal, the debug screen showed very similar results... Perhaps your 2035 has an older firmware revision? Or maybe a different one than my friends? I have no idea what version his is, but check yours and I'll check with my friend and post back with the results.

[buzzy]

SW Version: KU 1.2.05
Model #: 42 FGAOO

That method of entering debug doesn’t work with the 7868. Dang!

[cryogenic]

Well, my friend's 2035 is actually a very old firmware revision 1.0.16, but it's a loaner... Maybe later revisions have hurt RF performance? I dunno, but that sounds a bit odd, so I have no idea why my friend's 2035 performs on par with my 2235... perhaps my 2235 is just a bad performer.. or your 2035 is subpar?

[buzzy]

dunno. but my friends Moto 7868 does a lot better then my 2035 in the same place with Vzn. Annoying, but I think I’ll go for the 2fer on the 2235 and hope for the best. I can’t see spending $100 or more on a phone now until the 7135 comes along and either is the stuff or not. I’d really prefer a Treo type, but that seems a ways off.

[Xcoolrising122X]

wat do the numbers mean?

higher the bettter??
What is a good range number?

[cryogenic]

The number is how much signal you're losing from the tower to your phone... a higher number means you're getting a weak signal. From my experience, anything under 90 will result in excellent call quality, though even under 100 is still for the most part acceptable. My phone shows full signal at anything under -86 and when right under a tower (more or less), it shows something around between -52 and -60.

[jeff83]

Can someone explain to me what the 'Field Debug' is? Or what the 'Debug' is in general? I have the 3035 and I'm afraid to touch that because I don't know what it is? Can I benifit from playing with it?

Thanks!