Captain Sexy

Ok so I got sprint to give me the airave for $18 upgrade fee instead of the $100 normal cost and they are suppose to waive the $4.99 mo fee.

The Airave came today I set it up and I have error lights going on. The sys light is flashing and no GPS. Now it's not activated I wanted to get it setup before calling as it says. Is this the reason I have error messages? Does it need to be activated first?

I plan to call in the morning to get it moving.

Thanks,

---------

EDIT: To make it easier for others to locate valuable "first setup" steps, I have added this information here. Smoke this over and if anyone reading this needs any more support, by all means post here and you will get help. We can add to this quick list as needed, just send me a PM and I can add to or delete if necessary.

BIG BIG BIG "THANK YOU" to member ginglish for taking time to list these steps. Much appreciated!

AIRAVE AND AIRVANA install instructions:
Note AIRAVE is the original device AIRVANA is the newer model with 3G Data support. For simplicity We’ll use AIRAVE unless something specific to either device gets added.

Insure Sprint has activated the device on your Sprint account. They will need numbers off the Box Label. Sometimes it is done before they send the AIRAVE, sometimes you need to call. Check your account on Sprint.com. If activated you will see it listed.

Disregard the install instructions in the manual which calls for the AIRAVE to be connected MODEM/AIRAVE/ROUTER. This order is only needed if VOIP is in use (not currently available via Sprint), or you router is WIFI only. Some users report a significant slowdown of the home internet connection when connected this way.

Preferred and easiest connection order is MODEM/ROUTER/AIRAVE. This assumes you have open wired ports on the router.

Step by step:
Reset your Network (recommended but not absolutely required)
1. Power down your entire network, PCs, Router and Modem.
2. Power up the Modem and wait for lights to go steady.
3. Plug in your Router wait for lights to go steady.
4. Boot up your PCs and verify internet connectivity.

Connecting the AIRAVE
a. Plug in a standard Cat5 Network Cable into an open port on your router like you would for a PC and then connect the other end to the WAN Port on the AIRAVE.
b. Plug in the GPS external antenna into the GPS port on the AIRAVE and place the antenna close to a window where it can see the sky.
c. Plug in the power adapter to the wall and connect to the AIRAVE.
d. Watch the blinking light show. What should happen is that the BROADBAND light should go Steady Green, followed by the GPS light, and then by the MOBILE light going steady. This can take from just a few minutes to overnight.
e. With 3 green lights, check your mobile signal strength. Try making a phone call. You mobile will beep three times to acknowledge connection via the AIRAVE. You should see a blinking Green MOBILE light while on a phone call.

Note: if any of the lights stay blinking amber, reset your network, recheck your connections and check your router QoS settings. QsO off is recommended with no VOIP involved. If still having trouble Call Sprint Customer Services.

Last edited by marctronixx; July 28th, 2011 at 03:07 PM. Reason: Added a quick "FAQ" to this post for people to see.

LisaFitz

I would return it all together and just tell Sprint to credit your acct for the year.

Case in point when I got the Pre i found out sadly that the airave was the only way i was able to get decent service in my apt. Funny thing was if you walked outside full 5 bars. Inside not so much.

Had the first one (yes there were more than 1 sent to me) all free by the way and free of charge each month, working great! Actually gave me a great boost in reception.

Than it went all down hill, the thing stopped connecting, never worked again, 2nd unit came in, same problem, 3rd unit this time it was the newly designed unit thats out now and same problem. Needless to say, Sprint tech level 10 or something, Netgear tech (my wireless router), Airave tech and everyone else you could name couldn't figure it out, be warned as airave and wireless routers sometimes don't play nice which i have a feeling between that and the GPS signal lock which is very weak at times is to blame (also another known issue for users as it puts your location when locked as far as 50 miles away), as everyone blamed everyone for our issues (optimum blamed airave, airave blamed netgear, netgear blamed airave) it was a mess -

They all went back, and I vowed never to use the product again, and for all that trouble they credited me $15 for a year and half ... What a waste of a product .. I hope you have better luck, as its a badly designed product on sprints end, why don't u think you hear anything about them in the product lineup and better yet why do you think they give the darn things away lol ...?!

I would say if you get it to connect leave it be, once that thing stops working it can takes weeks for it to reconnect if it does at all-

Last edited by LisaFitz; July 9th, 2010 at 09:20 PM.

Daddo

Do you have the unit near a window or did you connect the GPS antenna to the cable and place it near a window so it can pick up the GPS satellite signals?

Mine came pre-activated and didn't work until I placed the GPS antenna near a window.

I have a good signal at home, but at work my office is in an area that blocks good signal reception. Sprint was kind enough to comp me the Airwave and monthly fee.

Works great! Sprint is a wonderful company and has always been good to me.

Edit: I received my Airave after calling Sprint Customer Care and explained the poor reception issue I was having at work and how I could not complete a call without dropping connection. After going through all the troubleshooting steps, they recommended the Airwave as a solution and offered to provide it free with no monthly fee (I never even had to ask). It may have helped that I've been with them over seven years and I always try to be cordial and kind when I speak to the representatives-I know how stressful their jobs must be because few people call in to say how much they love their phone or how much they are appreciated for providing support.

Last edited by Daddo; July 9th, 2010 at 10:31 PM. Reason: Left out info.

freeza

Did you call or email to get the Airave?

PrO1210

They actually wanted me to pay for an air rave! I told them go **** yourselves because no service is grounds for cancellation without etf and I am NOT paying you to remain a customer, That's ass backwards!! Only an idiot would pay for this...Mine works fine by the way.

baizej

IIRC, it does need to be activated one you get it. You should be able to do it online. Once it's activated, be sure it is plugged into the internet and near a window to pickup a GPS signal, or plug in the external antenna and put that near the window. Mine works great. Our house is in a low signal area and the radiant barrier decking doesn't help the signal inside the house.

Misbehavin'

If its been over an hour and you're still getting the flashing red lights, it probably needs activation. That's been my experience.

IOWA

They should NIX the GPS thing.

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ARR22

Yeah I agree its completely unnecessary, but I suppose the reason why is that they don't want you to be able to take it over seas and be able to use it.

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IOWA

It has something to do with using it in areas they don't have FCC or Government clearance or some BS. But that location data can be determined by your IP address more reliably

mynamewastaken

There are actually good, technical reasons for having it. It's transmitting on the same frequencies as 'real' cell towers and it has to play nice with them. It also helps with the transition between Airave and the cell network, it knows what tower to expect you to hit next.

Complete Rubbish.

EDIT: And here is a perfect example. 192.55.83.0/24 geolocates to Sterling, VA, but it's actually anycasted in 6 different places around the world between the US, Europe and Asis.. and none of them are in VA.

Last edited by mynamewastaken; July 10th, 2010 at 01:32 AM.

newswoman

I had the same reception problems in my house when I got the Pre a year ago...Sprint comped the Airave and monthly fee, and reception is great now. I still have the 800 number for the Airave tech because there were some issues getting it to connect at first. But the tech stayed with it and it only took a day to get it going. It's worked great ever since. Keep calling if you need to...they were great for me.

IOWA

Anycasting?

Last edited by IOWA; July 13th, 2012 at 07:02 AM.

stkshooter

Test your VOIP using the below links if call quality is a problem. I had problems with slow 1.2 mbps DSL and switched to cable broadband at 20 mbps since using multi devices ( 4-PC, Cell Wifi, Airave, etc will reduce your VOIP numbers.

MyConnection Server network assessment testing, network route performance, VoIP quality testing

8x8, Inc. VoIP and Broadband Speed Test

Mine worked great for about the past 1+ yr. after I sorted out the slow DSL as the problem.

Then when they added a new tower in the area which increased my interior cell signal from 0-1 bars to 1-3 bars I had problems with Airave dropping calls when switching from tower to Airave and then back.

Example would be walking past a large window and stop, phone switched to tower and then as you walk closer to Airave inside center of home area the phone attempts to switch back to Airave and drops the call.

Phone was set to sprint only (per tech) and still did this.

I turned Airave off, problem solved. Phone Batt. life is reduced because signal is weaker but no more dropped calls due to switching signal.

I would like to say with higher speed broadband and 0-1 signal inside home it worked great most of the time compared to nothing. I have tested Verizon, AT&T, T-mobile, Alltel and they are no better. Maybe worse inside home. So I stuck with Sprint because they gave me the Airave which solved my problem and the lowest priced plan.

Good Luck!

carmendiva

I will say this much, the airave made my horrible experience with Sprint somewhat better(I have a verizon version as well now)


I also had some issues with the setup...if you are still getting the reddish/pink light then you need to call customer service.

Idk what returning would do exactly?

you got it at a great deal...i had to pay the full 100 bucks...

but call because they have to activate it on your account and apply the charge and what not(although u did say they were supposed to waive the fee)

but still...

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Captain Sexy

Getting my acct credited is not going to bring a signal inside.

Captain Sexy

It is near a window on top of a dresser with the GPS Antenera running accross the window sill.

Captain Sexy

I emailed CS they told me I had to pay for it. I bitched, and then called CS and bitched. They told me I have to call tech support to get it free. They said not corp store. Went to Corp store, they said no retentions is the only one that can do it.


Long story short, if you want an airave call CS complain about the reception so it's on record then call retentions and they will give it to you. The guy was very nice he tried to do it all only for the taxes of $1.74 but I still had to roll with the upgrade fee. If i can get it working i'm ok with that.

Captain Sexy

Ahh now this makes some sense to me. I have a radient barrier all through out the attic maybe that's why the 5 towers can't get signal in my house. Course Verizon did so maybe not.

DHAndroid

The Airave GPS has been a problem for many, some say the external GPS antenna helps.

I use it and it works great. No where close to Sprints saying 5,000 square feet for reliable signal..Maybe in an open field? Give -80 to -90 signal inside. Outside it sometimes hangs onto the Airave beyond where a reliable call can go through.

With the Airave & Wifi in the phone I have a cell tower at home!

Without it, service would be 1 bar..that would ruin the smartphone experience!

mynamewastaken

Anycast - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And if you don't believe anything you read on Wikipedia, go read RFC 4786.

mynamewastaken

I live on a mountain top - basically all of the near by cell antennas are below me, and I'm completely surrounded by trees, many of which are 100ft tall... and that doesn't make for good reception for anything. I would have absolutely no signal on any carrier if it were not for the Airave.

This device is what kept me with Sprint when it came out, because they were the only ones to have anything like it. At the time I was seriously considering going over to T-Mobile because of their voice-over-wifi phones, but I didn't like that you were limited only to phones that supported it, and I didn't actually like any of the phones that did.

Sprint even gave it to me for free with no fee, and, I couldn't be happier with it's performance. Their small investment has brought them much business since.

IOWA

Still doesn't mean it wouldn't work reliably as a locater, considering it would route you to the nearest IP address, not to mention IPv6 would work just fine.

Captain Sexy

I had some things come up and didn't get a chance to get it activated today, but I still have red lights and the GPS ant ext is on.

Admission:Regret

My airave is sitting up in my attic...never had a problem with it

mynamewastaken

You're right, if IP address 1.2.3.4 is anycast, and you try to connect to that IP, you're going to be routed to the one that is logically closest to you, but you're wrong in that it works as a reliable locator. That same IP address exists in multiple places around the world, so, given just that IP address you have no way of telling where in the world it's coming from. You can perform deep network routing analysis to get what you think is a rough geographical area, but that's all blown away if any part of that link goes through a VPN.

Oh, and, IPv6 anycasting works exactly the same way, and it's being used right now. 2001:503:ba3e::2:30 would be a good example of this.

Face it, there's simply no way an IP address, or even network mapping, can come even close to using GPS to precisely determine your physical location.

Agent Jones

you should never pay for an AirRave. just call sprint and tell them your phone is dropping calls consistently and your never getting any reception where you live. they will glady send you an airrave free of charge.

IOWA

Both have thier downfalls, but what happens if you live in a basement apartment? Your screwed? It should have some sort of fall back. Either that, or only require GPS for power on, and if it stays powered, no more GPS verification afterwards.

Captain Sexy

Ok, so I got the airave setup late sunday. It seems to provide really good coverage throughout the house (2500 sq ft) for the most part. A few areas drop to two bars or three bars but still good. One thing I notice though, is if I have the wireless 3g or 4g sending or receiving info the bars drop to one like its going back to the tower. I found if I use the wifi this doesn't happen. Is this normal?

IOWA

Yes the airave only provides a voice signal. So for data you will have to use wifi


Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

Captain Sexy

I get that I just don't get why it can stay on the airave for voice calls and use the mobile network for data at the same time.

carmendiva

hmmm never thought of it this way. That does sound like a good idea

It be like using 4g(Since you could do voice and data simultaneously) Except
you are just using 3g

mynamewastaken

Not true. It provides a 1xRTT signal along with voice, which you can use for data.

The update to the Airave, coming soon, is said to provide a 3G signal too. Both Verizon and Sprint have versions of the same box with 3G pending release.

mynamewastaken

The CDMA radio in your phone can't handle voice and 3G data at the same time, even if the sources are different. It can do 1xRTT, or you can use voice over Airave and wifi at the same time though.

mysticmead

ok... for the OP.. you'll have a red light until activated.. and then it has to go through a long download and configuration process.. once all lights go blue it's ready for use..

for those complaining about the GPS... it's required by law for E911 location. same reason there's a GPS in your phone that activates when making a 911 call (unless you leave it on like I do).. as far as IP giving a better location... not even remotely true.. the location will be generalized due to the number of switches and CO's you could be going through. but it doesn't get down to an exact location. GPS on the other hand does. For my Airave, I used the external extension and moved my GPS antenna outside...

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DHAndroid

The Airwave can provide 1x if there is no cell tower data reception. I am in a rural area and the 0-1 bar from the tower is enough to block the Airwave from providing data. Wifi fixes the issue. I turn off wifi once a day or before I leave so the phone can sync with the network data.

Alot of people have received their Airwave free along with a monthly service credit. This was on the old customer service. Not sure how the new system and management is now affecting free Airwave perks.

If I had to pay the monthly fee would I..YES! the Airwave works!

mikeb33

I got my Airave today and put in the basement near a window well. My cable modem and wireless router are all down there. I plugged it in and went to work. When I got home, all the lights were blue, so it seems to work. But I have to be very close for it to work. I mean like 40 feet away, I have 0-1 bar and as I get closer, like 20 feet, suddenly 6 bars! What's the deal? I have a larger house,about 2,800 sq ft 1st floor and basement, and about 1,000 sq ft second floor. I assumed it would serve the whole house?
BTW does texting occur over the Airave?

Captain Sexy

Call retentions tell them to crank up the output. It'll fix it.

DHAndroid

I called Airave Technical Support 866-556-7310 and after doing a dsl connection test the tech put in a trouble ticket and I should receive a call back tomorrow to say how much if any they can boost the signal. Sounds like an approval process rather than just doing it. Techs want to map the house and determine if a power increase will interfere with neighbors of a locked calling device. Findout more tomorrow.

mikeb33

If I understand right, you can take a call into the Airave zone, but if you leave, the call is lost?
After it started working today, I called home to my Daughter and she was in the basement where the Airave is. She walked away from the unit and the call dropped. It definitely needs to be cranked up. All of the house in our neighborhood are on 1 acre or larger lots, so there is a good distance between us.

carmendiva

the airave is supposed to automatically transfer to sprints network when that happens

mynamewastaken

If you leave the Airave for a regular tower, the call is continued on the regular tower/cell network. What you can't do is transfer ON to an airave mid-call.

Gerbacio_PR

i coul swear that if i leave the airave zone it disconnects my call


i got it 1 week ago and so far not a single disconnected call on my house


Airave was free and free monthly too ...great service

Captain Sexy

I have no problems with coming on and off the airave, but I do have a werid connect when I answer the phone hard to explain it's like a delay and maybe a beep like noise. Anybody else have that?

carmendiva

that is to notify you that you are connecting to the airave device

it isn't anything to worry about

just a slight delay

wase4711

ok, does anyone have an EVO phone working with the airave?

I got mine today, and, it does NOT work with the 2 evo's in this house; my son has a cheapo samsung slider phone, and it works great, but, with the EVO's, you can NOT make a call..was on the phone with tech support for 2 hours; finally the guy hung up on me..
I called back and spoke to someone, and he said there are major problems getting these things to work with the EVO..
I get the GPS lock in about 10 minutes, and 20 minutes later, got the signal lock, so I thought I was home free, but, no matter what I try, I can not get it to work on our 2 EVO's..We have a new Netgrear wireless n router, and I am keeping the airave at least 10 feet away..Like I say, it works fine on the cheapo samsung slider, but not on my 2 EVO's.

Any one else get it to work on an EVO?

thanks

Captain Sexy

Mine worked in about 15 min after I got the airave activated. Router and airave are right next to each other close to a window ontop of a dresser.

wase4711

thats funny, because they tell you to move it at least 6 feet away from your router!

Did you connect the external GPS antenna to it?

What kills me, is that my son's shitty Samsung phone works fine with it, but our 2 big bad evo's wont connect to it!!

Captain Sexy

Well I got 5 feet and 9 inches to go then

I don't know why or what the problem would be I sure don't want wires going for 6 ft I'm not sure how i'd hide that. It does work good though.

wase4711

did you have to change any settings on your phone to make it work, or did it just work?

it sounds like you did NOT connect that external GPS antenna, did you?