Lock to EVDO?

karlyn · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

It seems like the only version of QLM that offers the "HDR only" option is the one for the PC5750 data card.

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

I've been talking to Alltel, 3gStore, and Belkin all morning. Here's what I know.

I currently have no way to lock EVDO, which makes my purchase worthless at this point. 3gStore says the UM150 can't lock EVDO. I'm running it throught a Cradlepoint 350 and then into my Belkin wireless router. Because I'm running it this way, I don't even have the option to use my Alltel Axcess software. So if anybody knows how to make this thing lock EVDO through Cradlepoint's software, or some other way, let me know.

I bought this whole setup, along with a Wilson directional antenna and amp, so I could get rid of my horrible DSL. I live in the boonies, and my DSL service is about 120 k down. I was hoping to get EVDO speeds, but without being able to lock into EVDO I'm switching back and forth all the time and my downloads are mostly around 120 k. Mad

karlyn · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject:

Okay, it probably won't work, but I'd be crazy enough to try this if I was desperate enough!

I was browsing through old posts one day and ran across a thread from December 2006 titled "Locking EVDO on Alltel KPC650." Scroll down to the bottom -- vauser loaded the Verizon Access Manager software and was able to use it with the Alltel KPC650 to lock to HDR.

Smith Micro software is behind both the Verizon Access Manager and Alltel QuickLink Mobile software. Smith Micro also has a stand alone version of their software, but the only Alltel card they list as compatible on their site is the PC5740 (could be the web page just hasn't been updated lately). The UM150 is supported by the Verizon software. [Edit to add: I'd probably uninstall the Alltel software before installing the Verizon software. The card retains the settings once you put it back in the router.]

You can get Verizon's software at http://vzw.smithmicro.com/default.aspx . The method to get to the settings is identical but with a different password

Ctrl-D
diagvzw

Otherwise -- are you still in your trial period with Alltel? If so, another option would be to return the Alltel card, subscribe to Sprint and force the Sprint card to roam/EvDO only on Alltel and hope Sprint doesn't terminate your service for roaming 100% of the time. Hopefully the amp remains the same and you could just exchange the antenna adapter?

Just some wild last-ditch kinda thoughts...
Karlyn

ansar · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject:

Doh, that sucks. I am glad I got a 5750 then.

The card definitely retains the setting since I can move it from different laptops and desktops and not have to change anything. At least the 5750 retains the settings.

The software just lets you change the settings, so it is probable that you could set it to evdo only with other software.

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

The Smith Micro QuickLink Mobile software won't let you lock EVDO with the UM150 either. I tried it, and verified it with the company.

Alltel told me you can't lock EVDO with any of the data cards, but I'm assuming they didn't know what they were talking about. Aren't some of you guys definitely doing it?

karlyn · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

See my post on page 1 of this thread (second up from the bottom) for the list of settings available on the PC5750. Selecting "HDR only" is the same as selecting EvDO only. HDR = High Data Rate.

I have the capability on the PC5750 but have left mine set on "Automatic" since I'm fortunate enough to be near a cell site most of the time.

Since nathanm posted that he'd forced his Verizon UM150 to HDR only I figured that option must be available on the Verizon software.

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

I'm not able to download the Verizon software, because it asks for a valid Verizon phone number. Any suggestions?

karlyn · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject:

Forgive me if you've posted this elsewhere (too lazy to look) -- what version of QLM do you have installed now?

F34R just posted a place to download various Alltel software on another thread: http://www.data-info.net/aircard/

If you don't have QLM 4.6.6 you might try that.

I'm also wondering if you could download the "5750 Patch and QLM (5750 Update version) and extract QLM version 4.5.7 out of that package (the .exe file is a self-extracting executable that contains a firmware update, etc., as well). Maybe with stuffit expander? This is the version I have that allows setting HDR only for the 5750.

I think we all need to get on Alltel's case about not having the capability to lock on HDR in the QLM software. This setting is just too useful.

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

I have 4.7.4.

Wouldn't 4.6.6 be older?

karlyn · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:17 am Post subject:

Yeah, 4.6.6 would be older. I was hoping there was some version that would give you the ability to set your card to HDR only -- whether it be newer or older. Sad

I'm now out of WAGs and unfortunately don't know anyone with a Verizon number that you could use to download their software.

I am going to write Alltel and tell them I want software that grants more control over card features. There's no good reason to cripple this.

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

I've ordered a PC5750 on Ebay, and I'm waiting for the Kyocera KR2 to be released. Hopefully that set up will let me lock EVDO. I don't have a PCMCIA reader without the KR2, so now my Cradlepoint CTR350 is useless.

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

eking64 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

I would stay away from using any verizon software on an Alltel firmware card.

I ordered the trucker antenna and amplifier from 3gstore and it came with the antenna adapter but stated it was for verizon only. I attempted using it and didn't have any success. I ordered the antenna adapter from kyrocera and it has worked great. I'm not sure of the differences but would recommend staying provider centric.

karlyn · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject:

@eking64 -- the idea to try the verizon software was a last ditch effort to solve a problem and I wouldn't have suggested it lightly (and someone else had done this before). Software is a little bit different than hardware and sometimes when you're bt a rock and a hard place you need a chisel. Smile

@NathanP -- are you outside your return window for the router?

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 36