Sprint Airave (Post #1 has a quick "FAQ" for help)

[marctronixx]

the GPS is a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant believe they told you its a "option"...

the GPS is used to tell the local terrestrial network where the handset is. since the local towers cant "see" the handset due to the airvana, the GPS sends coordinates to the network so your calls get routed and so you are able to be handed off from/to your femtocel to the local network and vice versa.

good job on using your GUT!

 

[wafa510]

the GPS is a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant believe they told you its a "option"...

the GPS is used to tell the local terrestrial network where the handset is. since the local towers cant "see" the handset due to the airvana, the GPS sends coordinates to the network so your calls get routed and so you are able to be handed off from/to your femtocel to the local network and vice versa.

good job on using your GUT!

Yup! It is listed as "optional" even in the instruction booklet! Makes no sense to me! I guess they feel their Airvana is enough and if not, then put on the GPS attenna. Yup, used my gut because that made no sense to me whatsoever! So definitely put the GPS attenna on before you turn everything back on and you are good to go!

Side question.....which pulls more battery use? Using the Wifi option on your phone in your home, or keeping it on the 3G?

 

[marctronixx]

since you have excellent 3G, your handsets radio will use less power than if you were in a fringe area.

wifi also behaves the same way.

really ,, at your home with excellent coverage on both ends.. its a wash.. if you were in a fringe 3G area, id use wifi.. Wifi would use less energy than 3G overall. im no cellular expert though, however i think 3G uses more energy than wifi. soooo... stick with wifi...

clear as mud? ;0)

 

[wafa510]

LOL...yeah, pretty muddy!

 

[JPD]

I'm having the texting issue with our phones on the Airvana...I will call CS tonight to see if there is something they need to push to the phones or the device. I had to unplug the Airvana because my kids are home alone since it is summer and every time my daughter would text me I would get the same text 8-10 times...

We will see how it goes...

 

[cmwotring]

A few months ago I received the Airave free from Sprint with the monthly fee waved as well. It has certainly cured the coverage issues in my home. My wife and I both have the Evo and are having issues of sending and receiving the same text multiple times. My phone is rooted while hers is stock and it seems she has the problem much more than I do. She does also text a lot more than I do.

Anyone know of a solution?

 

[wafa510]

Just another update...so far, so good! My phone is having fabulous signal, no more texting issues since they put an update through to my phone and to the Airvana. I just ordered another phone for my daughter's birthday present to add to my plan so once that is set-up will see if that works flawlessly with the Airvana as well. Will update once that takes place!

 

[la sal]

Got my Airave hooked up last night. Very easy but...I noticed that my internet (Time Warner Cable Turbo) is much slower now. Has anyone else had this issue?

With that said, my reception is great now at home.

 

[marctronixx]

hi,

please read through this thread.

to get you on the same page, you should put your airvana BEHIND your router, not in front of it.

 

[wafa510]

Update: my daughter's new phone recognized the Airvana right away and has a great signal just like my phone! It has been a pleasure using my phone in my home now. Downloading from the market takes literally about 10 seconds if that much from start to finish! Calls never drop either! The Optimus S can easily last a whole day now (with moderate usage) without a charge until bedtime. Just rememeber to connect the Airvana directly to your wireless modem (not directly to your DSL or cable modem if possible).

This thread has been a life-saver for me. I recommend to read through the whole thread (especially the last few pages) where Marctronix shares his wonderful knowledge on how to set it up!

 

[la sal]

Moved my Airave behind and farther away from my router and that seems to have helped increase my internet speed some.

Airave is connected directly to the router.

 

[ginglish]

This Thread is VERY helpfull expecially in installing the AIRVANA AIRAVE. Putting it on the router vice the Modem is absolutly the way to go. I'm good to go.

Marctronixx, This thread has gotten quite long, with lots of discussion about pro/con and how to get sprint to provide the AIRAVE. Installation/setup is getting hidden. Any chance a summary installation/setup description could be posted as a sticky? or maybe split the thread, might make it easier.

 

[marctronixx]

hi, great idea.

ill put it on the short list, however if someone wants to step up and make a simple easy to follow write up i will post it to the first post in this thread.

See post #1. Added some quick setup steps. http://androidforums.com/1108193-post1.html

thanks to ginglish for the information.

 

[ArmageddonX]

I recently had to disconnect my AirRave for good. It was not delivering Text Messages to all my Friends & Family. When it would actually send them it would repeatedly sent the same message 6 to 8 times over.

Anyone else experiencing this issue? Anyway to fix it?

Called AirRaveSupport and they gave me the typical "Reset & unplug it & plug it back in." routine. *sigh*
Like I hadn't already tried that...

 

[marctronixx]

im using google voice for my sms and never have any issues. one recent poster above had similar issues as you and they were able to get airvana support to rectify their problem.

 

[BenChase7]

I recently had to disconnect my AirRave for good. It was not delivering Text Messages to all my Friends & Family. When it would actually send them it would repeatedly sent the same message 6 to 8 times over.

Anyone else experiencing this issue? Anyway to fix it?

Called AirRaveSupport and they gave me the typical "Reset & unplug it & plug it back in." routine. *sigh*
Like I hadn't already tried that...

where are you in PHX? I've been using Sprint in Phx for the last 10 years and have never had any coverage problems. Just surprised to hear that you need/use an Airave.

 

[wafa510]

im using google voice for my sms and never have any issues. one recent poster above had similar issues as you and they were able to get airvana support to rectify their problem.

That might have been me!? When I had problems with my text messages, I called Airvana support and they shot an update to the Airvana and to my phone and I have not had any problems since with text messages. I found though it is a good idea when you are having issues with the phone to always check the Airvana. Yesterday, I was having trouble connecting with the Market and I noticed the mobile light on the unit was flashing. I rebooted it and all has been fine ever since. Also, there were storms in my area so I think it may have temporarily lost its GPS signal/location. Like any other device, it may poop out from time to time!

 

[ArmageddonX]

where are you in PHX? I've been using Sprint in Phx for the last 10 years and have never had any coverage problems. Just surprised to hear that you need/use an Airave.

Same here. Been with Sprint 10 years and never had one issue except for the lack of WiMax. I moved last year to the Sun City area and it's been horrible ever since. Sprint says where I live, is a 'dead zone' and there isn't much they can to do improve the signal. The Airave helps with phone calls, but it's been butchering my Text Messages. I tried calling them and they had no solutions other than reset and restart and that didn't help.

 

[wafa510]

Same here. Been with Sprint 10 years and never had one issue except for the lack of WiMax. I moved last year to the Sun City area and it's been horrible ever since. Sprint says where I live, is a 'dead zone' and there isn't much they can to do improve the signal. The Airave helps with phone calls, but it's been butchering my Text Messages. I tried calling them and they had no solutions other than reset and restart and that didn't help.

I would call them back and tell them that you know someone else who had issues with text messaging and they sent an update to my phone and to my airvana and that took care of the issues. Just tell them that none of your texts go through when you are in the vicinity of the Airvana. That is what I did and they sent these updates and it has been fine ever since. They did not tell me to reset and restart the Airvana. I guess it depends who you speak to there.

 

[cnvrtble98]

Hey guys...I finally got Sprint to send me the Airave though it will take up to 4 weeks to get here. My concern is that I live in a loft with 15 ft. ceilings and the building is all brick (probably why I can't get service in there). My "office" with my modem and router in it is a good 30 to 40 feet (I can verify when I get home later) away from where my windows are and I can't possibly see how I can get an unobstructed view of the sky for the GPS antenna. I am not sure what to do.
Anyone else have this problem or know of a fix?

 

[marctronixx]

there is a long cable on the GPS antenna. you should have some options there.

you can put the sprint unit nearest a window with the best view and if needed get a longer CAT 5e cable to connect it to your router. the sprint unit should be some distance from the router equipment anyway...

 

[cnvrtble98]

thanks for the reply. Do you think the Airave would work if I got another dd-wrt router and used it in bridge mode? That way I could put the Airave really close to a window. Just not sure how the Airave would work on that side of a Wireless N Router.

 

[wafa510]

there is a long cable on the GPS antenna. you should have some options there.

you can put the sprint unit nearest a window with the best view and if needed get a longer CAT 5e cable to connect it to your router. the sprint unit should be some distance from the router equipment anyway...

That is exactly how I did it, I used a longer ethernet cable and the Airvana is closer to the window. The GPS antenna is very long which is convenient. My room is also very long and the window is a good distance from my router.

 

[marctronixx]

personally i would advise against that and directly connect the airvana using a wired Cat5 (ethernet) cable to the main router. frys electronics has Cat5e cables in large lengths for super cheap.

thanks for the reply. Do you think the Airave would work if I got another dd-wrt router and used it in bridge mode? That way I could put the Airave really close to a window. Just not sure how the Airave would work on that side of a Wireless N Router.

 

[la sal]

Anyone else's Airave preventing them from sending messages out? Called Sprint and they said they don't know what the issue is. It has been more than two weeks now.