Need a new one but I am cheap!

Might just have to fire up my Lincoln "Tombstone" Arc Welder and see if I can finesse it to bring the ol s4 back, whatcha think 90 amps to atart?

 

90 amps should do it just fine VIDEO
Stinny put his old laptop through his splitter and got his revenge

 

What carrier are you on now Greenstick ?

Do you like them, do you get good cell service? How are other services around you for cell coverage? Are you in any contract?

I ask because some phones are specific to say Verizon, and they rest are usually compatible with all the other providers. Then there's some phones that can be used on any network.

Also that older Galaxy that's on Android 6.0, I'd be wary because there's no real security for any newer bugs / hackers etc when you have an outdated OS. The current android OS is 8.0. there's some in 7.x that will get updated but you need to be wary. Considering that you can get a brand new or very recently released phone for under that $200 mark, that's what I'd do.

 

Greenstick you could send your phone in for testing

 

Yes, the 5s is on ios11, the most current apple OS.


You may be out of luck if you have an older iPhone or iPad — Here are the devices that can't run iOS 11

 

Apple versus open source, enough said

 

I don't know much about the system but seems to me if there's an antenna on a chimney or other outside mounting it would help for your reception outside as well as inside

 

Sometimes it is just the difference in what carrier is used. I have used the same carrier for almost 20 years because it is the only one that can reliably get a signal at my house (and the house I previously lived at 2 miles away) - for a long time no other carrier could even get a signal at all. There is a tower for my carrier not too far off, but other carriers have to piggy back off of it, and I believe that is the issue with them not getting reliable signals. I have no idea hos that works, or why, but it is how it works in these hills.

 

So it doesn't need to make any actual phone calls....

 

It's really dependant on where you live. Typically, Verizon is best in the southeastern US, ATT is better on the west coast, sprint isn't typically good anywhere away from a major highway or city, us cellular, they have pockets were that is the only service that works at all.

But if you have a tower close enough to home and you don't travel, or can have 2 phones on different networks then you do what you have to.

 

No idea. I see that here too. Out by my cousins area in western Wisconsin, us cell towers are right there. In fact at the cemetery where some of our family is, There's a tower in plain sight. But unless you have us cellular, you have zero signal. I've got ATT, my brothers have Verizon and t mobile, and at least one cousin has sprint. Nobody but the us cellular subscribers have signal. Not even one bar.

Same deal on the northern California coast, but with ATT. Unless you have attached, you've got no signal at all. I got married in norcal, on the coast and trying to get a hold of family and attendees was ridiculous.

 

Agreed. Stick with what you know.
I was "tech learnt" on iPhone . I have a backup phone in case mine blinks that is active and used around the office . It's an android. Android is a good phone but I hate having to use it.

 

That is where I am. I have been fortunate and USC works almost everywhere I have needed it to. Even KS when I visit family. I did work somewhere where they blocked all carriers except AT&T. Just outside the building I had 5 bars. Walk in thru the first doors, and wham, it was shut down to zero (as was anyone who had other carriers). Funny, I could usually get a text out if I stood by a window, but there was absolutely no phone or data service.

 

I buy my used phones from digicircle.com I currently am using a galaxy s5 and love it.
We buy our service through tracfone, and pay $100/yr ($7/month)

 

I'm on straight talk. good service and no contract, just need a new phone.