TL;DR

My Nexus 5 was showing low bars even when right next to my Airave. The problem was the Nexus was set up for LTE network, and the Airave is 3G. Thankfully I was able to change the network type of the Nexus by going to Settings > More… > Mobile networks > Preferred network type > 3G. Full bars again!

Story

I spent part of my tax refund on a Nexus 5. My Samsung Transform Ultra just couldn’t keep up with my demands.

The Nexus is so shiny and a lot bigger.

I found I was having a problem making calls and getting text messages. The bars were almost down to nothing, and I was sitting right next to my Airave.

I checked all the settings I knew to check on the phone, but it was still new to me. I even checked the Airave settings.

Thankfully, a Google search led me to this forum on Sprint’s community website.

On your phone, go into Settings > More… > Mobile networks > Preferred network type > 3G.

Once I did that, I had full bars again.

I had tried the other recommendations like updating the PRL (under Mobile Networks > Carrier Settings), but it did not work for me.

I don’t do a lot of downloading when I am away from a WIFI signal, so sticking with 3G instead of LTE is fine with me.