Problems with CDU680 in Sprint Mobile Broadband http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20927477 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:48:20 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:48:20 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20980089 opty165 : From what I could tell from the pictures of our tower, and google earth, we come in like:


And we do get a pretty good signal from this tower, but it isn't nearly as strange as the signal from the other tower. And they both have pretty good LOS, the only thing between us and them is a few trees. The problem with this new tower is that it's too faraway, I mean we get a great signal from it and all, but it won't let us directly connect to it.

We lost our EVDO connection for over a week, because we were using a yagi on our roof. And since the further away tower has a much stranger signal then the closer one, it would want to pick it up instead. And since the tower is out of the max allowed range of EVDO, the tower rejected the connection.

And this comes back to a problem with the CDU-680. It knew that the tower was to faraway. But instead of it switching to the closer tower, it would drop back to 1xRTT. Am I expecting to much from the CDU-680 here?

And I did find a way to get connected to the tower that is 13.9 miles away. By using the closer one to get connected, then turning the antenna in the direction of the further away tower. And for the tower being 13.9 miles away, I have to say, it works pretty good.

Tower that is 13.9 miles away:


And the closer one, that is 8.6 miles away:
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20980089 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:28:08 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20979308 Maniak :
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20979308 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:08:50 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20979304 Maniak : Where are the two antennas situated compared to your house?

If they are inline or close to from the house then its going to be interesting getting the signal from only the one tower.

If they aren't "inline" you can use a directional antenna to try to capture the signal of the tower you want.

We use a Grid antenna and have it turned about somewhere near 10 degrees away from the tower we want. This way, in our case, we can pick up the signal from the tower we want but the tower that is about 10 degrees the other way is no longer picked up.

I used the debug screen to get the best carrier rate (I can't remember what its called, but it sits at 900+kb now) and tried to keep the dbm to

our Antenna pic info:
20 ft mast made from two 10 foot 1.25" black shedule 40 pipe (gas pipe).

14dbi Andrew Mag Grid antenna model 18T-1900 with ln240 cable (25ft) to a Franklin cdu-680 evdo modem. The small white omni antenna is for the zboot cell phone repeater.

Cell tower pic.. This pic was taken with a 300mm zoom lens.. which gives you an idea of how far away it is (10+ miles).. We have LOS from the roof which I'm sure helps helps..

~Mark

Pics are in next message.. I couldn't get them to post in this message correctly...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20979304 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:08:16 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20977669 opty165 : We are using a directional antenna. The problem is, our tower is 8.9 miles away, and through some trees. And from the pictures that I found of the tower, the antenna arrays are not pointing in our direction. So that adds to the problem.

And this new tower that's 13.9 miles away, that is overpowering our tower, and keeping us from connecting to EVDO. that also adds to the problem.

Link to some pictures of our tower.
»www.americantower.com/OASISPubli···eIndex=2]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20977669 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:45:47 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20976636 caribconsult : TO OPTY165: Signal strength has everything to do with your connection stability, and anything worse than -95dbm is going to be very erratic. Above -100dbm and I'd say you won't connect EVDO at all. With a signal like yours that bounces around from -90 to -105, you are definitely in the 'yellow zone.'

Have you considered an external directional antenna? When you do an »antennasearch.com lookup, how far are you from the nearest tower that has sprint service?
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Franklin CDU680/Assent MBR400 combo, CAY1912 panel antenna, Millenicom, 4 XPPro stations, Mozilla everywhere.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20976636 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:14:39 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958609 opty165 : Yeah I think signal strength has a lot to do with it. Like before our tower got messed up in a storm, we could almost always keep an EVDO signal, with a signal strength in the -80dBm range. So, I think, if you can keep a good signal, you can keep an good EVDO connection.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958609 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:41:08 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958569 dMarks : Might have something to do with what your signal strength is when you get the 1xEVDO up. I'm normally between -90 to -105. Sometimes jumps lower (remember we're talking negatives here. -90 is higher than -100), rarely higher. Might even just be differences between the same modem. It's not impossible.

EDIT: Just so you know, I'm busy drinking alcohol at the moment, so my responses might become illegible soon.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958569 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:27:22 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958542 opty165 : I don't know if that works for me or not, but I'll have to try it. I always just unplug the card and plug it back in, when it's in 1xRTT mode. And it takes about 10-20 seconds for it to reinitialize, are something like that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958542 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:16:38 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958457 dMarks : Hmm. I never had to unplug it to get it back to EVDO mode. Just had to stop the connection and restart it once the green light on the modem started blinking again or saw it come up in the connection manager that it went back to EVDO. Only took about 10 seconds.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958457 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:55:01 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958419 opty165 : We had to give our modem back, when we went with Millenicom and canceled our Sprint service. So the Franklin is the only card we have. Although I'm about to go buy another one. I can't stand that it loves 1xRTT so much.

And it's also really annoying, when your trying to adjust the antenna and it drops back to 1xRTT. So you have to unplug it and plug it back in and wait for it to reinitialize again.

Well anyways, thanks for clearing that all up for me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958419 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:42:41 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958354 dMarks : Unfortunately with the Franklin it has an issue with dropping to 1xRTT when in EVDO Only mode. It needs a Firmware Update, which doesn't seem to be coming any time soon. If you already have a Sprint capable modem other than the Franklin, you can use it with Millenicom with their BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) plan as long as the ESN is clear of any collections / debts / contracts.

In EVDO Only mode it doesn't do it as often as if it were in Automatic mode, but still it can be a pain sometimes, especially if you're in a fringe area. I would imagine, if you have a strong signal which doesn't fluctuate a lot you won't experience this as often, if at all.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958354 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:22:17 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958293 opty165 : So even if I got it working in EVDO only mode, it would still drop back to 1xRTT?

Because before we got this service, we did the 30 day trial with Sprint. And we had the Sierra 595U, and you could put in it EVDO only mode. And it would not leave EVDO mode, even if it didn't have a signal at all. So I was thinking you could do the same thing with the Frankin CDU-680.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958293 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:08:05 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958242 dMarks : Well, I've had mine since February of this year and this is the first time it's done this. What I'm wondering is if there is a list of tower channels kept on the Modem which can be wiped somehow and it takes a while to rebuild the list. Like I said, it took about 45 minutes for it to get back to the channel I needed. I sat there and watched as it cycled through channels. Every couple minutes it would add a new channel until finally it hit the one I needed.

Mine in EVDO Only mode would go back to 1xRTT if it lost the signal, or had a lot of packet loss. When I had it in Automatic, it would switch between EVDO and RTT whenever it wanted.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958242 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:55:21 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958205 opty165 : Our Franklin CDU-680 has done that since day one. It will sit there forever searching for service, when we put it in EVDO only mode. So we have to have it in either automatic mode or 1xRTT mode, for it to work.

Is there anyway to fix this? Because having it in EVDO only mode, would be a good way to test signal strengths. Right now if it doesn't find a good enough signal, it will drop back to 1xRTT only mode. And it won't display EVDO signal strengths at all, which is really annoying.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20958205 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:45:00 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20957506 dMarks : WOOHOO!! FINALLY got it to work again in EVDO Only mode. Sat there with the antenna off, letting it continually cycle through channels until it started to go higher up searching for service. It finally landed on 550, I hooked the antenna up and clicked go. Got it to work.

I'm afraid to turn it off now lol. Took 45 minutes of just sitting here cycling through channels before I got it.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20957506 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:02:31 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20955349 dMarks : Well, I called Millenicom today and asked about what might be going on. They really don't know, but they sent a ticket in to the office to have it checked out. Guess I'll give it a week and call em back to see if anything has come of it.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20955349 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:28:35 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20943927 dMarks : Nice to see ya still around here Blazin :D

The issue with my modem is that it was working in EVDO Only mode up until Wednesday of last week. Now, it won't hit the channel that I was using. Matter of fact, it only goes up to channel 375 now, when the channel I get my service from regularly is 550. It'll go to 550 in Automatic Mode though.

All in all though, the speed test below is now more common and it seems to be staying in EVDO mode regularly for the past couple days (I did move my antenna, so that might have helped). I need to reset my HA again back to Chicago where I normally have it


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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20943927 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:56:16 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20941693 blazintails : I have been having the same problem with my CDU680 going into 1xRTT mode for over a month now. I have it set for EVDO only and it will sit there looking for a connection sometimes for over an hour. It goes through all the channel and usually when it gets up to like 500-550 then some times it will connect. But will toss me right back into roaming within a few mins.

The only thing I have found to do is reboot my machine, wait for the green light on the modem to kick on, then using network connection and connecting manually, then usually it willon EVDO Rev A for at least a few hours.

Its been annoying to say the least, especially if I am downloading a large file. I chalked it up to Sprint throttling my connection. But I guess that's not the case.

I just checked on it, and its pulling from the two same towers I have always pulled from. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20941693 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:34:51 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20933271 dMarks : Still can't use EVDO Only mode on my modem. If this continues I'll call Millenicom Thursday or Friday and discuss the issue with them. Thing drops me to 1xRTT a lot now even when signal for EVDO is good.

I still need to get a better antenna but I can't see this being an antenna issue really. But perhaps getting a panel antenna will isolate and pick up the tower better to keep it locked into EVDO. Really doesn't make sense that I can't pick up the tower I'm on in EVDO Only mode, but in Automatic, or even 1xRTT mode I can pick it up and get Rev. A. Does these modes have anything to do with the signal type I'm receiving? Does sprint run Rev. A in the 800 MHz spectrum or is it only 1900 MHz for Rev. A?
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20933271 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:18:42 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20930820 Jack_in_VA :
said by New Jersey :

I was able to connect today for the first time since Wednesday. The support people at Millenicom stated that Sprint is doing an upgrade and that is causing all kinds of problems. This was the second problem I have had in the last two weeks.
I just got back on. Been down since 1pm Friday 8/8. Millenicom Customer Service is powerless on weekends even though they try to be helpful and courteous. This is the second time in 2 weeks and always on a weekend when Millenicom personnel are not working in Portland. Portland is the only source for new MSID and MDN numbers which will fix the propblem as it sets up a new account. I don't have a clue what Sprint is doing and could not find out from Millenicom CS but I intend to call somebody in Portland. This is completely unacceptable that Sprint just wipes out random accounts. I talked to a guy yesterday and he said his company dropped Sprint for the same reason. 150+ accounts and went with Verizon.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20930820 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:26:42 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20929973 dMarks :
said by caribconsult See Profile :

What all of us MCom customers need to keep in mind is that MCcom has no control over the infrastructure of the net; that's all under the supervision (or lack thereof) of SPRINT. Once your CDU is configured correctly, that's about as far as you can go with MCom, I think. Erratic connections, slow speeds, dropped connects, all of that can be laid at the feet of SPRINT, but I don't know how much support you'll get from them when they find out you are an MCom subscriber.

Once again, there's 'no justice', just us.
Well, that's kinda why I'm asking here, since this is the Sprint boards. It's either Sprint messing with their towers, or my modem is going bad. I still have connectivity, just that I can't use it in EVDO Only mode now. If there are tower issues that are happening, it might be noticed by some people here, so this would be an appropriate place to ask.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20929973 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:13:03 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20928468 caribconsult : What all of us MCom customers need to keep in mind is that MCcom has no control over the infrastructure of the net; that's all under the supervision (or lack thereof) of SPRINT. Once your CDU is configured correctly, that's about as far as you can go with MCom, I think. Erratic connections, slow speeds, dropped connects, all of that can be laid at the feet of SPRINT, but I don't know how much support you'll get from them when they find out you are an MCom subscriber.

Once again, there's 'no justice', just us.
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Franklin CDU680/Assent MBR400 combo, CAY1912 panel antenna, Millenicom, 4 XPPro stations, Mozilla everywhere.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20928468 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:51:30 EDT Re: Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20927943 anon : I was able to connect today for the first time since Wednesday. The support people at Millenicom stated that Sprint is doing an upgrade and that is causing all kinds of problems. This was the second problem I have had in the last two weeks.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20927943 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:42:52 EDT Problems with CDU680 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20927477 dMarks : Well, I don't know what is going on, but this past week I cannot use my modem in EVDO only mode. It will pick up a signal, but it puts me in Digital Roaming mode now, it doesn't pick up the towers it used to and it won't connect even though a signal is there. When I put it in Automatic mode it will pick up most of the towers it used to, and give me EVDO Rev.A on the tower I normally use, but it drops me into 1xRTT a lot more often (those who use the Franklin knows that EVDO only mode never did prevent 1xRTT, but it did keep it going in EVDO more often than not, for me at least).

I also cannot get onto the Alltel tower out here for EVDO Rev.0, although that may be because of the Verizon buyout.

I am wondering if this change might have something to do with Sprint selling off their towers and moving things around. Like I said, I can still connect to the tower I used to, but I have to do it in Automatic mode now as EVDO only mode doesn't seem to work anymore.

Anyone have any suggestions or have had any weird experiences like this recently?
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20927477 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:16:54 EDT