Sprint USB Modem

[Chris Strahan]

I have been playing with a new sprint usb modem. I don't care for sprint too much for a broadband carrier, but since my employer has them I deal with them.
Anyway, this new usb broadband modem came in.
So it has broadband... duh
it also has
built in gps in it

it also has a micro sd memory card slot in it!

Pretty amazing for one device! From a chasers perspective, it would save on having an external gps!
Oh yeah, it has a port for an external booster and antenna!

NICE!!!

Compass 597 sierra modem

 

[Chris Strahan]

Ok, so after testing this on my chase laptop, I find there are some things worth noting...
The device when plugged into your laptop does not have a clear line of sight to the sky. Although the sprint application will have a signal lock, gps gate has a hard time with it. Once I moved the laptop out into open sky, no problem. gps gate split the signal no problem with grlevel 3, spotter network, and microsoft streets and trips.
Could one chase with it, sure but I am guessing you would have much better results with an external gps that you can stick up in your window.
However, one could get a usb extension cable and put the usb modem/gps up in the window! That would give it a clear view of the sky.

 

[Steve Polley]

If memory serves me correct, the GPS in the Sprint modems would only work when you are within a Sprint service area. This doesnt make much since to me but for some reason through the software they have locked out the GPS if you are roaming. Of course in KS, NE, unless you are on the interstates, you will be roaming not to mention their 300mb cap per month if you are roaming as well. Not sure what their reasoning was behind this.

 

[Craig Schultz]

When the GPS is connected and then you go into a roaming area, it will remain connected. However you cannot connect to the GPS when roaming. It is messed up.

 

[Eric Friedebach]

Chris, are you using the Sprint SmartView connection manager? I’ve noticed that when I upgraded to this, the GPS functionality was lost. I’ve been meaning to talk to Sprint, but since I don’t think the output would do the same as my DeLorme puck, I’ve not pursued it any further.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

Sprint 3G 4G USB launched

It looks like Sprint is going to push on with its 4G WiMAX development. I am sure it will be a while until we see it anywhere in the chase zones but the future does look faster. I will say I switched to Sprint PC card this year and it blows my old TMobile card away. Sending in video is so much faster than the Edge of Tmobile.

 

[Scott Bennett]

I can confirm the GPS drops while roaming with the sprint cards, I was in a nice pickle on 11/5 because I had it working great until then.

On a side note the GPS must be able to use the external antenna when attached because if I use my 9db external antenna it can get sat's from inside the house.