Problem connecting to GSM network with FONA 808

Adafruit cellular platform - SMS and IoT over celluar

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mgenova79
 
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Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:20 pm

Problem connecting to GSM network with FONA 808

Post by mgenova79 »

Hello,
I was directed here by a support agent via email.
I am having a problem with a FONA808 that i purchased a week ago and received yesterday. I also purchased a gsm antenna pn#1858 and the adapter cable.

ORDER #2239005-5084921205

I ordered a FONA 808 and ting sim card recently and also purchased a Hologram sim card from another vendor. I soldered the pins on and attempted to get a network signal with no luck. It has been powered on for an hour or so and the red LED still blinks every second. I am able to use AT commands just fine to communicate with the FONA and it reports OK, the firmware revision, SIM card ID, but no signal. I also tried putting the sim card into a google pixel phone which is compatible with 2G GSM and still no luck. no texts, calls or data. I checked celltracker.com and I unsure if the towers are online still. The ones near my house are red, last seen Jan 13, 2019. I read the full tutorial for the FONA808 before purchasing and I was under the impression that the T mobile 2G towers were still active. I am kind of in a bind now because I was planning on using the FONA808 for my senior project at my CSU. Is there any way I can return the device? I thought about getting the FONA 3G but it seems that it is under heavy development. My project involves sending data wirelessly to adafruit.IO (which i subscribe to, I am an IO+ member) via the HTTP protocol. My project works great with the HUZZAH ESP32. I am located in bakersfield, CA. Would the FONA 3G work for this purpose? I had hopes of making the project work over cellular but I am unsure if there is a solution for that now. Thank you.
pictures below.

Mike

https://flic.kr/p/2inAa62
https://flic.kr/p/2inBiTm
https://flic.kr/p/2inBiUd
https://flic.kr/p/2inxDr3
https://flic.kr/p/2inxDuj
https://flic.kr/p/2inAaiw
https://flic.kr/p/2inxDEj

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:51 pm

Re: Problem connecting to GSM network with FONA 808

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

Try checking with Ting. Their coverage map shows 2G support where you are:

https://ting.com/coverage

I'm afraid we can't accept returns or exchanges for boards that have been soldered, so finding a SIM that works would be less expensive for you than switching to a new device.

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mgenova79
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:20 pm

Re: Problem connecting to GSM network with FONA 808

Post by mgenova79 »

Update, I ordered a botletics LTE simcom7000A board and it works with the hologram simcard.

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