yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Agreed! Way too many variables.

The best way I've found to compare signal is same place, same time of day, and same device settings. That's about as close to an apples to apples comparison you'll get..

I always check the most remote areas where I work, the outskirts of town, and known 'minimal signal' areas.

Once you've done all that, you can flash diff radios and start over :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] milski65:
The Note 3 is a great phone. It IS outdated I realize, but that doesn't change the fact that you still can't enjoy it and have it do whatever you need. You all need to consider the bigger picture. There are not a lot of current phones that offer the flexibility, under right circumstances, of your what you have in your hands right now. Trust me. Even if you're willing to drop retail 700 per year on every new phone that comes out, something will plague you. Best bet is to accept limitations which all phones have and work around them.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
I've been running the Note 3 for almost a year with no real new devving. After Alliance Rom build 2, I figured it really couldn't get much better, and I was right. There were a few Roms out there but you had to give up the ability to go backwards if you wanted to run them, I didn't want to give that flexibility up.

Buying the Hauwei 6P was solely a boredom thing! I got tired of not being able to flash roms, learn new things and felt like the XDA world was passing me by.

Honestly though, running Alliance Build 2, the 2 yr old Note 3 doesn't feel that far behind the new 6P!

Plus, a LOT of the Alliance crew and users are on the 6P, so that's a double bonus to get back with those guys!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] milski65:
You're older school. I mean no offense by that. We all get the bug to get the latest phone that has best opportunities for flashing . Not many phones left that allow you to upgrade/downgrade at will. One of the major pluses of note 3 as a safeguard.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Milski & az_biker-

Nice to see you guys on the thread. I've learned quite a bit from both of you.... more recently having read most of az's posts & prior to that having Milski help me get set-up my new "used n3" w/ Beans b_6, I feel pretty connected to you guys. Thanks for all the guidance thus far!

I researched the various Note phones 3, 4 & 5 prior to buying the n3 and determined for reasons Milski stated that the N3 was a good choice. And I know it is and will be for some time. - My issues with reception sort of caught me by surprise as I had not really read about people's challenges w/ reception with the n3. Well, now of course I've learned that "some" have experienced challenges. As for me, my main problem was using the aluminum phone holder (1/4 inch thick all around phone...lol) even in marginal areas . Although I'm 10 minutes from SF, I live in an area where there are about 2 blocks of very weak coverage.... which is why I use the Verizon network extender in the house; otherwise I'd get no calls & could not text at all.

I recall reading that some people that had gone to KK were sorry they did and wanted to revert back to 4.3; Per Milski, I know I can go to 4.4.2 and still get back which is pretty cool. - - The one variable I've never dealt with is the flashing of radios and/or modems which az mentioned a couple posts back. I realize there is no hard and fast rules/results with different phones/roms/radios, etc..., but I'm wondering what you two guys thinks is the very best combo...??? I'd install Alliance b_2 and whatever radios might provide the "winning hand" for me. Do you think doing so could improve my reception or should I stay put w/ Beans b-6? I could easily stay with Beans b_6 and be satisfied. At the same time, if there is a better course of action, I'd like to consider taking it. Thanks for any additional ideas/tips!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Man... I am going WAY back in the memory bank, but I believe the majority of folks who had poor signal on the Note 3 went to the MJE (JB) radios... I'm sure a Google of MJE radios will pull up some thread comparing MJE, NC4 radios. Again, IIRC, these are to be flashed from Android recovery, not in SS... I'll do a little digging and see if I can come up with a more certain answer for you. :D
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Thanks a million for that info and for looking into it for me!!! I guess with Beans b_6, I'm on JB - mje radio... I wonder if that's one of the better one's to be on. ??? I'm of course willing to tweak this phone to make it the best I can! Thanks again!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Here's a good starting point for you!

http://www.droidforums.net/threads/...rade-your-verizon-note-3s-modem-radio.267875/

If you're not familiar with ODIN, there is an ODIN link in my sig :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Thanks az_biker! I read through all that and learned some cool stuff. - one thing may help jelly head who recently posted here about poor reception with his non-rooted n3 that runs 4.4. According to those guys, he can still odin his radio back to mje...that may help him a lot. Btw, I have used odin and am pretty familiar with it.

So for me, I think I'll leave things "as-is" with my mje radio as that seems to be most people's favorite.

Do you use or have a good recommendation for a signal strength app? I found out that "real signal" wasn't accurate. I currently have xposed NetStrength and "Network Signal Info". I'm trying to keep an eye on my signal strength. One thing I know for sure is two blocks from my house is the worst coverage in our area ...lol. Verizon shares a Sprint Tower there. So, my phone definitely comes out of my aluminum phone holder there!!!

Thanks again az_biker for all your help!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
I've always used OPEN SIGNAL with pretty accurate results!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Thanks! I'll give that one a try.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] ArtfulDodger:
I think hardware wise this phone is not outdated by any means, many of the new models (especially no contract) are equal to or less than this phone. They don't have the screen size, RAM or CPU this one offers. All the Samsung variants not named Note, S3, S4, S5 or S6 are complete garbage and I would know based on what I previously owned and what people I know have.

What is a reality is that this phone and many of the new ones will no longer have root capability, that is if you buy a carrier version of them. In 2 to 3 years time XDA will shrink considerably and mainly consist of OPO and Nexus users. It really is a disappointment that the carriers have been able to stay ahead of any developers here.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
AD- interesting/insightful post.... when I bought the Note 3 recently, I did so because I could buy as rooted phone and keep it that way. Needless to say, the advantages of that capability are huge. - I did not see any advantage getting a N4 or the recently released N5. (I'm fairly certain a n4 cannot be rooted.) I am very happy with the N3 and will use it for a couple years or more... when it's time to transition, it seems like the Nexus 6P is a good choice based on what I've heard from some of the guys on this thread (az_biker, Milski, etc...). I am not crazy about buying a phone that cannot be rooted and will continue to stay on the root-track as long as possible. - Btw, up until recently, I was using an S3 which was still a great phone...
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] ArtfulDodger:
Thanks. I just got done with the old S2 variant from T-Mobile which was easily rooted but horrible hardware for today's standards, same with the Galaxy "Exhibit 4G" before that. Even up to a couple years ago the carriers weren't being so aggressive but now with ad blocking being so popular they are cracking down, plus they don't want you getting rid of their bloatware. Even the new Asus Zenfone 2 Laser has a locked bootloader as of now. I sense rooting is about to come to a slow demise for most new (even some popular old ones like this one) devices unless someone out there is smart enough to unlock the new bootloaders. You can bet T-Mobile and Sprint will soon join AT&T and Verizon. Then guess what? Phones like the OPO and Nexus will soar even further in price. I would have gotten an OPO 2 but $400 for a phone? No way.

Really I am OK with stock ROM as it is so stable but I want rid of Samsung's bloat and all the ads. Plus I miss Viper, but I guess it is what it is. I tried two different root methods and both failed of course. Wasted my time as people smarter than me couldn't get it done either.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Need a little help...

I could use some help guys... I am trying to flash Alliance b-2 and have run into a problem. I flashed the Alliance b-2 rom to the stock slot and flashed the n900v_kk_firmware.tar.md5 file via Odin; I disconnected the usb cable and meanwhile my n3 has booted into the black & white screen that says "AllianceROM - Est 2012 - "Often Imitated*Never Duplictated* - & the circle around the droids goes around & around.... - looks pretty cool, but obviously something is wrong... Pushing the power key or volume keys doesn't make anything happen... :(

Any advice on best next steps to get out of this would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure I could do a battery pull and reboot into recovery download mode, but thought I better wait for someone smarter than me (which is probably everyone on this thread...lol) on what to do next. Thanks for any help! :crying:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
If you are just stuck in a boot loop, pull the batt and power up as usual. If you're still looping, see below:

Pull batt... Replace the batt. Hold power, home and vol up simultaneously. This will take you to Android recovery. Wipe cache and reboot to system. If this doesn't work, see below:

Maybe I'm too OCD, but IF you have to start over, might as well start from scratch (see OP) to ensure there are no corrupt, broken files hanging around from whatever caused the loop in the first place.

Every file you need should be at the Dev Host link in my sig!

Let me know what you decide, and how things turn out!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
az_biker-

Thanks a lot for your reply. I restarted and I go right into the boot loop with the screen mentioned above. - Question: I had SS 3.65 and your directions talk about installing ss 3.75; I haven't done that yet and assume I can't until I'm up and running on this Alliance b_2. - Do I have that wrong? Should I have already installed ss 3.75? If so, how & when do I do that? - btw, it's clear that the phone is not going through safestrap at this point. Thanks again for your help!

Edit: follow-up: I hope I'm not in more trouble than can be handled! - I know these things usually have a way of working out, but as of now, I'm pretty stuck!!! - - - When pulling the battery and restarting, I get the "loop".... When doing vol. up, home & power, I get the "loop"; And when I do vol. down, home & re-flash the kk.tar.md5 file, I get the "loop"...

Can I flash via Odin the mje...stock rom? - Is that what I need to do, or is there an easier way around all this???

I'm thinking I was supposed to have put ss 3.75 on the root directory of the sd card before I started....??? I didn't do that.... there doesn't appear to be any way for me to get that on the sd card at this point...??? - Thanks for any ideas you have on getting me out of this jam!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Best bet is to ODIN the MJE STOCK tar, then start the process over. Follow the instructions, I always suggest reading all the steps in the paragraph to be sure you understand them and don't skip any steps.

You should be good... Tired, but good :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
az-biker,

Thanks, I'll do that... 2 questions: Do I end up losing my SS 3.65 slots in doing this? Probably not that big of deal if I do; all I had was MJE rooted in Stock Rom; of course, that's before I wiped it! lol... and I had Jelly Beans b_6 in Rom Slot 1; - Will I have to redo those?

Question #2, which is what may have got me in this jam (my fault of course)... Am I suppose to install 3.75 ss instead of 3.65 on the rooted stock mje (replace it) or do they both stay on the sd card? And more importantly, do I want to install ss 3.75 on the sd card before I resume flashing Alliance b-2? I want to make sure I do this right this time! - Thanks.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
When you ODIN the MJE tar, you'll lose everything, you're going back to OEM stock.

Install SS 3.65 MJE first, then, upgrade 3.75 after flashing Beans KK as the instructions show, and follow the instructions exactly. .

Put all the files on the sdcard after you're back to MJE, BEFORE you start the process :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
..

---------- Post added at 07:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:29 AM ----------

Thanks very much!!! I'll let you know how things go... :good:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
No problem. I'm up for a few more hours. I look forward to good news!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
az-biker-

I wish I had good news, but I don't.... :(

I went through each & every step carefully (twice) and at the end I get stuck in the loop with the Alliance Rom Screen (Circle going around, etc...);

I use ss 3.65 to load Alliance Rom b-2; I do the wipe prior to that install... - I do the odin from desktop of N900V_kk_firmware.tar.md5

Instructions at end says "Boot into NC2 (or in my case Alliance b-2) , but I never get ss to designate that..... however, I end up in the boot-looop screen, so I would assume I'm in the stock slot at this point.

I skip the PIT step (partition stuff) per the instructions....

So, I'm not sure where the problem lies... Do you have any suggestions. - btw, I'm sure I did each & every step correctly, per the instructions. :confused:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Okay. Back to basics. What was your original OEM firmware? IF it was NC4, I think I know the issue.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Thanks for writing back... I was just going to resign myself to going back to Jelly Beans b-6.... I've spent way too many hours on this.... ???

btw, a couple times, after pulling the battery & rebooting, I got beyond the loop screen and got the message: "AllianceRom is updgrading" " x files of 298"

"Optimizing app x of 298;" "Starting Apps"... - But it never went beyond those messages, so it was basically stuck for some reason.

So, back to basics, I've attached a screenshot of my phone. I'm on 4.3. I'd appreciate any more ideas.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
If you were optimizing apps, you were in! Did it just take a lot of time? Sometimes it can take >15 min if you have a lot of apps.

What happened when you got to the optimizing apps? Did it start to count down the apps?

If you are starting off with MJE, I can not figure out what is wrong with your install... I thought you might be on NC4 which is a different process.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
One more try!....

Well, it spent 15 minutes or so in total saying, "Alliance ROM is Upgrading" - - x of 298 apps; I believe next it went to "Optimizing App x of 298"; and finally it went onto "Starting Apps" and this continued for quite a while on its own: Maybe 10 - 15 minutes (in the starting apps mode") before I gave up.... Maybe I should've waited a tad longer, huh???

Well, on the light side, I can pretty much do this process in my sleep now! lol....So, I'll give it another try to see what happens. Who knows, maybe I'll be on Alliance 2.0 in time for the year.! I'll let you know what happens. Thanks!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Are you using the steps to update from 4.3 to 4.4 here http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2740466

OR are you using these in the OP

* * * ATTN: PRIOR to flashing a Rom built on MJE update, you should be running MJE (take OTA update or install MJE tar via Odin) then reroot via Kingo/Vroot, install Safestrap * * *

EASY Steps To Update To MJE: (Factory Stock)

- Download MJE tar file from Beanstown106's Firmware Collection Thread

- Flash MJE tar in Odin (for added safety, REMOVE sdcard) For DETAILED Odin instructions click HERE

- Reboot

- Go To Install Kingo (Google Kingo root 1.1.5 or 1.1.6 download) or Vroot (Google Vroot)

FOR ROOT PRIVILEGES- Install KINGO/Vroot

***Kingo 1.2 is having issues Rooting MJE Firmware, Google Kingo 1.1.5 or .6 OR see HERE, OR use Vroot***

I used the Kingo root app - links to Kingo are not currently allowed on XDA but it's very easy to search and find. It's just like a "one click" toolkit - meaning it's a no-brain operation. Download the app and follow the instructions. Currently Kingo & Vroot are the only known methods to root the MJ7/MJE builds for the Verizon Note 3 so it's one of these or no root for you. IF ROOT FAILS, KEEP TRYING (it took me 3 attempts)

TIP- make sure display timeout is set for 10 minutes & temporarily disable PC anti-virus (thanks RypeDub for the catch)

***If Kingo fails to root your device after several attempts: Try Vroot (some users reported success with Vroot after Kingo failed ROOT)....................

The reason I ask is I just reread that you said you were flashing Alliance build 2 which is an NC4 based rom. IF you were doing that using the Install custom Rom on 4.3, it wouldn't work.

You have to flash a MJE cust Rom first (this OP), then you go to the (Update from 4.3 to 4.4.2 OP)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
az-biker-

It seems I'm following the instructions at the top... which I got from your original post that says: "How to Update from JB 4.3 to 4.4.2 Kitkat on Verizon Retail Note: I do every step there, but now that I re-read your instructions, there doesn't appear to be any mention of rooting... I always just use Towelroot and that works fine. I intstall rootchecker & SU User from Chainfire as well. - - I figure these are just given's that have to be done to get root and to make everything work.

Besides those "extra steps", I merely follow all the directions listed there. - - Is this what I"m suppose to be doing??? :confused:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Are you already running a 4.3 CUST ROM ? If not, you have to flash a 4.3 cust rom BEFORE you can upgrade to 4.42 / NC2/NC4.

..........................................................

***Say Goodbye To Jelly Bean 4.3***

Verify That You Are Running ANY rooted 4.3 Rom on STOCK SLOT & Using SafeStrap 3.71 or earlier

If you were not already running a root 4.3 rom, your upgrade to Alliance build 2 can't install

.......................................................................
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
hmmmm.... I think I'm starting to see some light..... hope it's not a train! - -

So, I understood your sentence above "running any rooted 4.3 rom to include my mje rooted ROM....??? I guess that one doesn't count, huh? - So, I formerly had JellyBeans B_6 in my Rom slot - 1; can I just flash that to the Stock Rom slot? Is this the easiest way to go about it? I also have Eclipse available to flash; what do you recommend?

Also, I just want to confirm that once/if I get through all this, that I have the choice to go back to 4.3 if I want.... - at least that's my understanding & hope! Thanks again!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Yes. A rooted/Cust Rom (MJE) must be in the STOCK SLOT, (this OP)

THEN

Go to the UPGRADE from 4.3 to 4.4.2 OP, follow those steps and flash the NC2 tar (allows you to revert to MJE, but make sure you have a good MJE tar FIRST, they;re hard to find lately)... If you flash NC4 you can't revert back (IIRC)...

I think there was some miscommunication/misunderstanding during our back and forth here. For some reason I thought you were flashing the MJE cust beans rom first, and I was thinking you were following the OP for THIS thread....
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
az_biker-

Thanks for the clarification.... so, I should flash JellyBean's b_6 into the Stock Rom Slot; So, I need to use SS 3.65 for that right?

Your original instructions to go from 4.3 to 4.4.2 say to use "either" NC2 or the latest nc4 based Alliance Build which is b_2; it sounds like I can't do that, but instead need to first install hltevzw_root_deodex_nc2.zip; Do I have that correct?

Also, I know the file you have on your dev-site has been causing some issues; any idea where another copy is? - I guess I could just do a search for it. But it sounds like I "absolutely need to install that rom", before trying to install Alliance b_2. Thanks again for your help.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
The issue with the dev host files was users clicking the wrong "download" button (according to the dev host support)...

You CAN use either NC2 or NC4 when upgrading. Alliance IS based on the NC4 firmware, but IT allows you to revert. The BASE NC4 firmware/OTA will NOT allow you to revert.

You need SS 3.65 to revert back to MJE, but you can run SS 3.72 UNTIL you want to revert, then you just install SS 3.65 prior to reverting.

If you actually have an issue with the deodex NC2 file, let me know and I'll upload it again. So far, no one has said the files were corrupt, just that they had issues downloading them... CLick the BLUE download button :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Okay, thanks for helping to clear things up. - - I will let you know if I run into a jam with the nc2 download; I actually have a copy I downloaded a while ago; sometimes when a corrupt/bad file gets downloaded, for whatever reason, the odin/pc doesn't recognize it or won't move it... that happened to me earlier and that's probably a good thing if it's corrupt...lol;. I hope the one I downloaded last from your dev site works.

And to clarify, I will keep 3.65 on phone until I'm successful with flashing Alliance b_2; after that, I will try to upgrade ss to 3.72; I guess you're saying I don't/won't need ss 3.75. Eventually, it sounds like I'll get this accomplished. Need to take a break now for new years stuff. Thanks again!!!:good:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] Az Biker:
Once on Alliance Build 2, you'll need SS 3.72 or higher to use rom slots...

Happy new year. I'm watching NCAA Football so I'll be around for a while.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Happy New Year!!! - - Ok now I'm back at it and I think I'm just about ready to cross the goal line...lol...

I have 4.4.2 working on phone - I flashed hltevzw_root_deodex_nc2 into stock rom slot - so I'm on nc2 kk at the moment.

I'm ready to flash alliance b_2 which of course is on my sd card. - The one problem/question I have is how do I upgrade to Safestrap 3.75-b04 (If that's okay to use vs. 3.72) - the zip file I downloaded for ss 3.75 is not an apk file like with ss 3.65. When I extract files from the ss 3.75-b04 zip folder it has a few folders, assets, meta info, res ??? What am I supposed to do with this file, or better yet how do I upgrade from ss 3.65 (which is currently on phone) to ss 3.75?

Incidentally, the only rom on my phone is the one mentioned above in the stock slot.... is this considered a "stock rom"? I read somewhere I need a stock rom on phone to install and/or upgrade safestrap. - - Thanks for any help on this! :fingers-crossed:

Edit: Nevermind! - I went back to your file downloads and saw a separate apk file for 3.75...duh!!! - so, I've upgraded to ss 3.75 and am just about ready to wipe from recovery mode and try to flash Alliance b-2..... After all this, I sure hope I'm going to like Alliance b-2 over JellyBeans b-6....lol.... I'll Let you know if I make it all the way!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 General] straykat:
Wooohoooo!!!!! I finally made it!!! (screenshot attached) - - - This has been the longest journey I've made on an Android! - I guess my main mistake was not having a "custom" 4.3 Rooted Rom in the stock slot. Hopefully others don't make that silly mistake. - - Oh well, at least I made it. - - Thanks az-biker for all your help/guidance. I definitely would not have made it without your help!!! :victory: