dave%westmark@uunet.uu.net (Dave Levenson) (07/29/90)
Several readers have asked about programming this popular low-priced
cellular mobile telephone. Having come upon this information, I
thought I'd share it. Incidentally, the vendor offers a service
manual for this product, priced at $19.95, available by special order
from the same retail locations who offer the phone itself.
When your phone is delivered, it has a five-digit 'security code'
programmed into it. The factory default for this value is shown in
your owners manual on page 12. The installer is encouraged to change
this. You need this code to reset your total air time accumulator, to
change your unlock code, or to enter programming mode.
To enter programming mode, dial * 3001 # <security code> [SEL] 9. You
are now in the install menu. Use the [END] key to scroll through the
menu (there are about 14 items on the menu). At each step, the name
of the administerable item appears in the display, along with its
current value. The on/off toggles are toggled by pressing the [SEL]
key. The numeric entries are changed by entering the desired value on
the numeric keys. If you step through the entire menu, your display
eventually shows: prog done. At this point, press [SEL] [CLR] to exit
programming mode.
The programming menu includes the following items: (I'm not sure what
all of them mean; if you're not sure either, don't change them!) Many
of these paramaters are set to values provided by your cellular
service provider. The label field below is what is displayed, in
mixed case, when you scroll into the field: If anybody can supply
additional information on the fields I've indicated as ?? below, it
would be appreciated.
LABEL WHAT IT MEANS
===== =============
identif toggles between 'info pri' and 'info alt'
This apparently selects whether the following
steps are programming the primary or the
alternate nam.
ho id 5-digit numeric home system identifier
access 1 digit ??
locl opr 1 digit ??
phon your ten-digit phone number
st class 2 digits ??
paging ch 4-digit paging channel number
o-load class 2 digits ??
pref sys A or B
group id 2 digits ??
security 5-digit security code
1 date MMDDYY possibly the date of manufacture?
2 date MMDDYY the date of installation
prog done
Why are the date fields present? Are they used as a memo for future
installers?
How did I obtain the information above? I just bought one, and the
field labeled 'pref sys' was set to the wrong system when it was
delivered. The phone worked fine, but displayed ROAM when connected
to its home system, and did not display ROAM when it happened to
connect with the other carrier here. I called Radio Shack and
described this symptom, and offered to either bring the phone back to
them, or to let them walk me through re-programming it. They chose
the latter!
Dave Levenson Voice: 908 647 0900 Fax: 908 647 6857
Westmark, Inc. UUCP: {uunet | rutgers | att}!westmark!dave
Warren, NJ, USA AT&T Mail: !westmark!dave
[The Man in the Mooney] John DeBert <onymouse@netcom.UUCP> (08/05/90)
From article <10217@accuvax.nwu.edu>, by dave%westmark@uunet.uu.net (Dave Levenson): > Incidentally, the vendor offers a service > manual for this product, priced at $19.95, available by special order ^^^^^ Someone is pocketing the money. I got mine for $12.00. > When your phone is delivered, it has a five-digit 'security code' > programmed into it. The factory default for this value is shown in > your owners manual on page 12. The installer is encouraged to change > this. You need this code to reset your total air time accumulator, to > change your unlock code, or to enter programming mode. If you don't get the cellular service from the RS dealer the people who you try to get service from may refuse to program your phone, saying that a special handset is needed, and try to sell you one of theirs. Programming the phone needs no special tools; the service handset is for testing only and you can't run tests w/o it. If you can, program the phone yourself and save $15-25. Write down everything incase the battery goes out in the phone so you don't have to make a trip to your carrier's sales office. The battery is soldered in and "not user replaceable". Also, despite what the carriers say, an "unactivated" phone may be usable for 911 calls if the carrier allows them. Prior to getting service I could make 911 calls via one carrier (but neither wireline carrier, PacTel or GTE MobileNet permit 911 calls here in the Central Coast area of California). And that was without doing anything but installing the phone and turning it on. jd onymouse@netcom.UUCP
Edward_Greenberg@cso.3mail.3com.com (08/07/90)
John DeBert <onymouse@netcom.UUCP> Writes: > If you don't get the cellular service from the RS dealer the people >who you try to get service from may refuse to program your phone, >saying that a special handset is needed, and try to sell you one of >theirs. Programming the phone needs no special tools; the service >handset is for testing only and you can't run tests w/o it. If you walk into a cellular phone store (with your phone in hand) and ask them to establish service, THEY SHOULD PAY YOU! Being more realistic, they should treat you like a king, since you're free money. The cellular reseller makes about $300 per new activation, and receives a residual on your usage for seven years. This is why phone prices are in the basement (everywhere but California) with a "minimum service commitment." The salesman is in on the commission on the activation too, so he has a vested interest in your satisfaction. Some side comments on phones, dealers and service: The cellular reseller is, as discussed above, heavily involved in your choice of carrier and in your continuing satisfaction with that carrier. Having had a look at this business from the inside, I think I wouldn't buy a R/S phone, nor would I buy a phone from a stereo shop, home electronics store, Sears, etc. I'd buy my phone from a reputable reseller whose primary business is cellular phones. I'd pick that dealer by referral from satisfied customers. A good dealer will visit you when you can't get into the shop and have a problem. He will have loaner phones available if yours needs service. He'll do minor adjustments on your completed installation for nothing. He'll go to bat with the cellular company if you have service or billing problems. He'll understand that you're a techie and will probably provide the programming instructions as a condition of sale. If you want to know why you get dropped in a certain place, he'll use inside contacts to contact an engineer. A dealer like this is hard to find for all the sleeze that surrounds him, but they do exist. Sometimes it's just one guy in the store who'se worthwhile. Chances are he's the guy with the best sales numbers -- why? Because he gives personal service and gets recommendations. edg