MC7750 Gobi 4000

It seems there are no open threads about this modem, so I have to start a new one
So, this card works well in my 3G CDMA EVDO network with RUIM (CDMA analog of GSM SIM card) inserted. I can use either Sierra Skylight connection manager or Windows own dialer.
Problems:
1) I don't see any way to switch this modem to GSM. I've expected to find this switch in Sierra manager, but it's absent. Same with Verizon VZAccess Manager. Gobi 1000/2000 had a special small apps within CSA package, but of course they don't work with MC7750.
I need GSM part too and an easy way to switch between GSM/CDMA.
2) GPS. In specs there are both GPS and GLONASS receivers in MC7750. I understand GPS is using one of WWAN antenna connectors, so no additional antenna needed. GLONASS is using third connector, marked "GPS". I've connected CF-19 GPS antenna to this 3rd connector just for a test. GobiAllPowerSwitcher turns GPS on, off, auto - no problem.
Sierra manager turns GPS on, but never finds satellites. VisualGPS shows there is NMEA data, but no satellites visible or something like that.
Question: does this GPS receiver have to work? How to use it? ))

Manuals:
AT command for MC-series. Some of these commands answer Error instead of expected info. I use RealTerm.

 

I presume it's roughly the same as a MC7700. Switching or enabling the modem's capabilities can be done by issuing AT commands, although it may not be the "easy way" you are searching for:
MC7700 Sierra Airprime card - Cheap data plan!

I'd start by these, in exactly this order.

OEM password:

Code:

AT!ENTERCND="A710"

What can your modem do or what band masks are configured in your particular module?

Code:

AT!BAND=?

What is it set at:

Code:

AT!BAND?

Set it to what you need it to do, whereas xx is the Index number

Code:

AT!BAND=xx

Maybe setting all bands will allow your software to choose between CDMA and LTE, assuming it is currently restricted because of a mask setting. It should be clear once you issue the second and third commands above.

 

Thanks for OEM password! I didn't check MC7710 and there are no mentions of this password for MC7750. I've got much more options with pwd )
I've played with bands, it's interesting )
There is also a AT!SELRAT command to select between GSM, LTE, CDMA, but it seems MC7750 doesn't support even EDGE under GSM. It's strange, but there is such info (quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support) in one of the pdf's.
http://www.richardsonrfpd.com/resources/RellDocuments/SYS_31/Sierra_MC_Series_2014.pdf
But other Sierra docs mention only LTE and EV-DO.
So if I don't have LTE coverage here, Gobi 2000 is still much better for me because there is a real 3G support in both GSM and CDMA modes.

 

Cool. However, did you try the other commands I suggested? Seriously, you need to see if you have a band mask applied. At least try the second and third commands and post the results here so we'll have a clearer picture of how your MC7750 is configured.

 

Code:

!ENTERCND="A710"                                             
OK

!BAND=?
Index, Name,                        GW Band Mask     L Band Mask
00, All bands,                      0000000000000007 0000000000001000
07, North America,                  0000000000000007 0000000000001000
09, LTE ALL,                        0000000000000000 0000000000001000
0A, CDMA ALL,                       0000000000000007 0000000000000000

                                    0000000000001000 - B13  
                                                         
                                    0000000000000004 - BC1  1900
   
                                    0000000000000002 - BC0-B 850
   
                                    0000000000000001 - BC0-A 850
                                                                    
!BAND?
Index, Name,                        GW Band Mask     L Band Mask
00, All bands,                      0000000000000007 0000000000001000

!BAND=00,"ALL",CE80380,10009
ERROR

!GBAND=FFFFFFFF,FFFFFFFF
OK
                                                                 
!GBAND=?
ERROR

!GBAND?
!GBAND: B13    , 00000000FFFFFFFF, 00000000FFFFFFFF
               
!BAND?
Unknown band mask. Use AT!BAND to set band.
00000000FFFFFFFF 00000000FFFFFFFF
!BAND=?
Index, Name,                        GW Band Mask     L Band Mask
00, All bands,                      0000000000000007 0000000000001000
07, North America,                  0000000000000007 0000000000001000
09, LTE ALL,                        0000000000000000 0000000000001000
0A, CDMA ALL,                       0000000000000007 0000000000000000

                                    0000000000001000 - B13  
                                                         
                                    0000000000000004 - BC1  1900
   
                                    0000000000000002 - BC0-B 850
   
                                    0000000000000001 - BC0-A 850

!BAND=03,"EU2G",380,0
ERROR   

 

Looks like you're already set to all bands. FYI, to set the mask, it's just the index number.

Code:

AT!BAND=00

This is the juicy part:

Code:

Index, Name,                        GW Band Mask     L Band Mask
00, All bands,                      0000000000000007 0000000000001000
07, North America,                  0000000000000007 0000000000001000
09, LTE ALL,                        0000000000000000 0000000000001000
0A, CDMA ALL,                       0000000000000007 0000000000000000

                                    0000000000001000 - B13
                                                     
                                    0000000000000004 - BC1  1900

                                    0000000000000002 - BC0-B 850

                                    0000000000000001 - BC0-A 850

If you want to disable CDMA and try LTE band 13 (700Mhz), try 09. Just make sure your system is off before you insert a SIM.

 

I want GSM 900/1800, UMTS 2100
We still don't have LTE in Ukraine... And never will )

 

Damn that sucks! The MC7700 like the one I have would probably have worked. Oh well

 

My main mobile internet provider has CDMA EV-DO network. Other ukrainian and european providers have GSM 900/1800 and 3G HSPA 2100 networks.
So my best choice is Gobi modem supporting both EV-DO and GSM 900/1800/2100 networks.
It seems any MC77xx supports either GSM or EV-DO (not speaking about LTE), while Gobi 1000/2000 supports both GSM/EV-DO )
Is there a chance to open all bands in MC77xx cards?

 

There are several MC77xx versions for different markets. The MC7700 would probably work for you and use some LTE bands in case you need them.

On the MC7700 these are LTE (besides B4 which could be used for LTE and AWS like where I live):

Code:

  0000000000010000 - B17 (700 b/c)
  0000000000000008 - B4 (1700) (LTE/AWS 3.5G)
  0000000000000001 - B1 (2100)

These are 2G/3G

Code:

  0000000008000000 - B6  (800)
  0000000004000000 - B5  (850)
  0000000000800000 - B2 (1900)
  0000000000400000 - B1 (2100)
  0000000000200000 -  G1900
  0000000000080000 -  G850
  0000000000000200 -  G900P
  0000000000000100 -  G900E
  0000000000000080 -  G1800

Disclaimer: When you are buying non-Panasonic WWAN modules on wheezebay, expect to flush your money down the toilet, even if you research the supported frequencies. So far I've been very lucky and never bought a module that wouldn't work on the networks I use around here. My toilet is spotless.

 

I've got this MC7750 inside of MK6, it's Panasonic module, so everything is ok
I just need non-standard functionality
MC7750 is good for my main EV-DO network, but not good enough to outperform Gobi 2000 which supports both HSPA and EV-DO.
Also Gobi 2000 has to be programmed (it's easy) for EV-DO network and doesn't need SIM card for EV-DO. At the same time it's possible to install HSPA SIM card and switch between carriers in 10 seconds.

MC7700 LTE/HSPA/GSM/GPS
LTE: 700(B17)/1700/2100(B4)
3G:800/850/1900/2100
2G:850/900/1800/1900

MC7710 LTE/HSPA/GSM/GPS
LTE: 900(B8)/1800(B3)/2100 (B1)/2600(B7)/DD800(B20)
3G: 900(B8)/2100(B1)
2G: 900/1800/1900

MC7750 LTE/EVDO/CDMA/GPS
LTE: 700(B13) 3G: 800/1900 2G:800/1900