Merlin S620 Now Allows Locking in EVDO

Michael · Last edited by Michael on Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:11 pm; edited 4 times in total

Starting with Sprint PCS Connection Manager 3.02.001, the Novatel 620 card has a new important option to lock out EVDO or 1xRTT. This is a very important feature for those in fringe areas, OR directly centered between a 1xRTT and EVDO tower and their card constantly bounces between two towers and is unable to hold a connection. This update solves that problem by giving the end user the ability to configure their Novatel / Merlin S620 to ONLY listen for EVDO signal or 1XRTT signal (blocking out the other).

Even if you are NOT in a fringe area, you may experience faster downloads by enabling EVDO only. In our initial test, we are in a 4 bar EVDO area and when in automatic mode, we were at 716Kbps download. We enabled EVDO ONLY and did another benchmark and we got 816Kbps. A full 100Kbps faster download. If you enable EVDO ONLY, remember to switch back to Automatic, if you are traveling to non-EVDO areas.

To download, select Menu -> [b]Software Updates[b/] from your Sprint PCS Connection Manager.

This thread on EVDO Marginal Coverage explains why this feature is so important to some users who are having problems connecting now.
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xchpstang · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:30 am Post subject:

I just upgraded to 3.04.001 from the connection manager and I see the options under settings and Sprint PCS Vision but the options to change it are grayed out meaning I am not able to change it. Anything that I am doing wrong?

Michael · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:32 am Post subject:

You can only make the change if you are NOT CONNECTED. Disconnect, and then you can make the change.
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xchpstang · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:02 am Post subject:

Got it. Thanks! Cool

radar2k4 · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:47 am Post subject:

THIS IS HUGE!!!!!Thank you Sprint for listening!!!The one funny thing in all this is the prl updated as well with the new firmware...Something Sprint said was not neccesary....lol....I don't care...I am a happy camper now!!!!
Thank You!!
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Radar2k4

Michael · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

I agree that this is Huge!

There are many people stuck exactly between 1xRTT & EVDO towers and they ping pong back and forth, never holding a connection. A booster antenna or signal amplifier wouldn't always solve their problem. This is an elegant/simple solution AND it provides a solution to customers vs. having customers cancel and return.

Seems pretty smart. I hope people that are on the verge of returning, find this thread or are told about this solution.
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xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

I'm having problems with the upgrade and I believe it is because I use NDIS mode. The upgrade completed but the NDIS mode is greyed out and can't be turned on/off. Because I was in NDIS mode during the upgrade, it stays in NDIS mode in the new version but does not let me turn it off. Data works but I can't do anything in the Connection Manager.

Sprint, if listening, please look into upgrading 3.2.1 to 3.4.1 while in NDIS mode. For everyone else, I'd recommend turning off NDIS mode (if set) before performing the upgrade.

BTW, on the PRL update, I think it's for 1xRTT data, not EVDO. I talked to a Sprint engineer who says that 1xRTT roaming is coming 'very soon'. So the PRL update may be related to 1xRTT, not EVDO.

PSEVDOU · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:

Is this update worth the trouble (finding a Windows PC for the upgrade) for Mac users who are not having the fringe area connection problems?

Michael · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:38 am Post subject:

This feature appears to only work when you are running Sprint Connection Manager on Windows. So, it doesn't make any difference if you using the S620 in a Mac (using our drivers or hacks), won't make a difference, if you are using in a KR1 either.

However, there is a new PRL update that comes with the update, so it may be worthwhile to get the update for that.

FYI, I did test a Merlin S620 with updated firmware on a PowerBook 15 inch and it worked fine after the update.
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xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

The upgrade does a firmware upgrade on the card, so Mac users probably should make the effort to find a Windows laptop and perform the upgrade.

My firmware went from version 138 to 155. Downside for Mac users is that you won't be able to force EVDO/1xRTT since there is no Mac Connection Manager.

brendanhoar · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 140

Well, lets hope Verizon takes the same path. Not holding my breath, though. Smile

-brendan

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

Curious, I told the CM to force roaming and it said roaming charges may apply. I connected and it was in EVDO mode. It was either not in roaming mode or there is such a thing as EVDO roaming. I'm guessing the former.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

Quote:

Hmm. My performance dramatically went down. I almost always got 700Kbps-1.4Mbps before the upgrade. Now I can't get over 700K. Anyone else able to get over 700K?

Also tried it on KR1, which consisently got 1.2Mbps+ at window. Now I can't get over 700Kbps. I hope Sprint didn't put a cap on the card. Hopefully it's just tower load at the moment.

Update: I'm getting up to 1.2Mbps after posting the above.

If you performed the upgrade, please test at...
http://speedtest.frontiernet.net

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

I've been attempting to force roaming mode to see if Sprint has activated it. I got it to work for a few seconds. On the Windows notification icon on Start bar for Connection Manager, a popup appeared stating I was in 'digital roaming mode'. In the Connection Manager next to the "Connected" status, a box with an "R" appeared. I could not keep it sustained and it went out of roaming mode.

So I wonder if Sprint's data roaming is up and running now?

I tested by going into stairwell of garage for roaming. Would be interesting if someone is near borderline Sprint service to test if data roaming now works.

xchpstang · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject:

I noticed a big increase in performance since the firmware and PRL was updated. Much faster loading of pages and much less lag. I tried locking on roaming like newer Sprint phones but it kept searching for service since Verizon only uses 800 MHz in my area for both data and voice. The S620 only works in 1900 MHz mode.