It Started With a Hardware Limitation I have been using Quectel GNSS modules in my designs for a while. They are reliable, well-documented, and the support ecosystem is solid. But the module I had been using had one problem that I kept running into: no external antenna support . For most projects that is a minor inconvenience. For a marine vessel monitoring and control system , it is a non-starter. A vessel hull blocks sky view, antenna placement is critical, and the difference between a clean fix and no fix at all often comes down to whether you can mount the antenna where it actually has line of sight. An integrated antenna in a sealed enclosure below deck simply does not cut it. So I went directly to Quectel. The Conversation With Quectel I reached out through their official sample request channel. I was not expecting much — most component manufacturers have a standard process: fill out a form, wait, get a few uni...
Since everyone is interested in this post and lots of request comes to get the firmware, i have put a link so that everyone can download it easily. SIMCOM 900A firmware
Its been a while that i was trying to fix the SIM900A GSM module. This module support local GSM band but after some researches it was concluded that it is carrier locked :(. After long conversion of days to actual chip manufacture SIMCOM, they told it can be fixed by updating its firmware to latest original version but unfortunately they don't provide firmware to small parties.
I never stop trying to get the firmware and SIMCOM again replied, this time they said contact local SIMCOM supplier and request for firmware. But this little Maldives don't have SIMCOM or any electronics manufacturer. So i contacted my friend coody from NOA LABS/Smart prototyping (a friend in china) and told him to help me. I explained him what to do so he can communicate with SIMCOM in china.
Finally he sends and email saying that he got the firmware and it is uploaded to drop box. So just now downloaded the files and flash the new firmware and tadaaa... it works and works :)
Now i can register to local networks and do the magic.
Here is the terminal data that i got after the update.
NORMAL POWER DOWN
+CREG: 3
RDY
+CFUN: 1
+CPIN: READY
+CREG: 0
+CREG: 2
+CREG: 1,"003C","F945"
Call Ready
at+cops=?
+COPS: (2,"DhiMobile","","47201"),(3,"WATANIYA","WATANIYA","47202"),,(0,1,4),(0, 1,2)
OK
at+cmgs="xxxxxxx"
> test
+CMGS: 34
OK
for test i send an SMS and it works perfectly..see the above..
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