Sprint Franklin U301 3G/4G USB Air Card Issues

[James Siler]

I am needing anyone's assistance. I started Sprints data service on Wednesday before chasing that day. While out chasing i got the air card up and running but after about 1 hour the air card disconnected and went to displaying no device detected. After messing with it for about 5 minutes, we got it back up and running, but an hour later just out side of Clinton, it did it again, displaying no device detected. This time no matter what we thought of we couldn't get it back working. So after about 20 minutes on the phone with Sprint's technical support, they transferred me to Franklin's technical support who then advised that the card was defective. So after made to feel stupid by the lady at the Sprint store they exchanged the air card. SO i uninstalled Sprint Smartview software then reinstalled from the new disk that came with the new one, and same result, So messing with it such as unplugging the card and re-plugging it in some times will get it to be detected by Smartview. I don't believe it is my USB ports due to I have a USB mouse that I can plug in and it work's as well as my iPhone both get detected and work. Any idea's or suggestions i would appreciate. By the way I am running a HP pavilion ze4900 with Windows XP service pack 3. Thank you in advance.

 

[Brett Roberts]

I've been using a Novatel U727 card with the Sprint SmartView software this season, and the same thing happens to me. It never fails that during the course of a chase, I'll have to unplug and re-plug it back in about 10 times. I've gone through two of these cards (broke the first one a few weeks ago) and both had the same issue. The only interesting thing I can think of is that I've used them on my home desktop a few times when my ISP is down, and was able to go quite a few hours without it happening. So maybe it has something to do with laptop USB ports not providing adequate power at times? (The LED on my card will actually turn off at the same time SmartView starts complaining about no device detected) FWIW, I'm running Windows 7.

Either way, I have to say I'm not exactly impressed with Sprint's software. At least it's a step up from whichever program they used a couple years ago before SmartView -- that one would cause my laptop to reboot without warning as soon as I plugged the device in.

 

[James Siler]

So i wonder if it is something with there software? Most of the time when i am repeatedly plugging and unplugging it i can't get it to pick up on the software. It sucks really. I don't think this should be required to use it. I wonder if there is a fix.

 

[Mark Sefried]

It sounds like to me that it may be a driver issue. You may want to check to see if there are any firmware/software updates for it on Sprint's site. You might also try and uninstall the software that came with the modem and download just the driver from the chip set manufacture's homepage.

 

[Jeff Smith]

Junk!

Been there, done that. I am not sure if it's a software or hardware issue (am suspecting the SmartView software) but I cannot be screwing around with my aircard in the heat of the battle, so to speak. Same issues as you're having. I had Sprint re-activate my Novatel U-720 and re-installed the Novatel software. Now I'm a happy camper again!

 

[Robert Rohloff]

I have the same issues with the U301 and am about to quit and dump it.......

 

[Jeff Smith]

During my many hours on the phone with Sprint tech, I spoke with a guy named Bryan who sent e signal to my U301 and reset it somehow. After that it was better but still had numerous issues. I could never access the GPS function for Spotter Network with it as well.

 

[Jason Young]

I am on my second U301 and I hate it . Monday it seemed like I had to restart it almost every hour . Plus every time I got away from I-35 it would go down .

 

[James Siler]

Ok, now i am starting to wonder if it may be an issue with connections that were previously set up in my laptop. As i have decided to try experiements, like we installed the software and card on my room mates laptop and i tried for about 2 hours to duplicate the issues on his laptop and was unable to. It did loose service during the hail storm we just had here but thinking cel tower problem. But putting it back on my laptop same problems. But i went into the device manager on the laptopand uninstalled the genric usb hub, then removed the card and re-inserted it and it detected new device loaded up the drivers and now i am conected and doing this via the card right now, but if i were to disconnect and reboot my laptop,then i will have the same problem again. I wonder if i should reformat my laptop? what do some of you think?

 

[Steve Polley]

Garbage

I also had the U301. It would disconnect then would not reconnect without restarting it. I gave up on it and bought a new EX720 Novatel card off of Ebay and it works great with the Smartview software. Also, the U301 does not have an external antenna port so it was an all around no go for me. Sell it and recoup some funds for the new card that you buy.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

The Pantech 175 has ended up being the best card I've ever had. Totally stable, dependable and works great with the amp. When not chasing, I have to disconnect the Mobile Broadband Manager network connection or else it continually tries to dial when on WiFi, but that's been the only issue.

 

[Jim Stovall]

I am using Time Warner's Roadrunner Mobile which piggybacks off of Sprint for 3g coverage. I have a Franklin CMU300 and I have noticed the same thing occurring with mine. My thinking is that even though the Sprint coverage map shows area wide coverage where I am at, it isn't as great as they say. My signal went to zero a couple of days ago when I was tracking storms in central Tx, each time when signal is reacquired it would start back up. I have since ordered service from AT&T to see if it is better.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

I have given up on the U301 I found a Sierra 598U New on Ebay for $34 it also has the external antenna jack that was not on the 301.

 

[Jason Foster]

With all the bad reports and issues....sounds like a bad product was forced on the market and a recall of such a product should have been done. That or made Sprint (or the maker of the U301) cover the cost of replacement.