WG3526 32M | EP06-A | PagePlus connectivity issues

[BrandonDillon]

Issue: Unable to get internet; first time setup of preassembled device.

Router: WG3526 32M (aquired from eBay assembled with modem; Chinese bootloader)
Original router firmware: OS-mt7621-WG3526-20191101_233404.bin (no TTL settings)
Modem: Quectel EP06-A
APN: tracfone.vzwentp
TTL: 117 (though I've tried 64/65)

Firmware versions I've tried:

ramips-mt7621-zbt-wg3526-32M-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
openwrt-18.06.7-ramips-mt7621-zbt-wg3526-32M-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
openwrt-18.06.4-ramips-mt7621-zbt-wg3526-16M-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
openwrt-19.07.2-ramips-mt7621-zbt-wg3526-32M-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
openwrt-wg3526-GO2020-03-01.upgrade.bin
openwrt-wg3526-GO2020-04-03.upgrade.bin
WiFix-WG3526-GO2020-03-07-upgrade.bin
WG3526 hang-fix firmware (GO v2020 03-01 / ChrisTork)

I'm unable to do any firmware upgrades from the stock software (System > Backup/Flash menu) as it kicks an "Invalid model" message each time. That leaves me with flashing the firmware via bootloader (which I tend to do twice according to the tutorials here). Formerly I was unable to get the APN to take at all with Verizon, however the seller I purchased my WG3526 from informed me that switching to a different APN (which is why the APN broadband is in the logs) and back would restore connectivity.

Note: I've not had responses with many AT commands including AT+QPRTPARA=3 and AT!GSTATUS?

I've been working on this several hours a day for two weeks and I fear that in the beginning I may have caused some issue within the modem while exploring in PuTTY.





Two different modem logs below:


4G provider SIM card number Device model IMEI Strong signal
FDD LTE 89148000005******1 $GPGSA,A,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,*1E $GPGSA,A,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,*1E 1 70%
More module information
state info:
Device name/IP address MAC address Total upstream flow total downflow Elapsed time
--/-- -- 0B 0B --
log information:
2020-05-13 03:20:35 found 2c7c:0306 (Quectel EP06-A) for wwan0
at device is /dev/ttyUSB2
2020-05-13 03:20:35 stopping connection for wwan0 ...
config wwan0, proto is qmi
device driver is qmi_wwan
2020-05-13 03:20:37 stopping connection for wwan0 ...
dial method is quectel-CM
2020-05-13 03:20:37 Prepare to starting connection for wwan0 ...
Setting APN to tracfone.vzwentp...
[05-13_03:20:52:348] Quectel_Linux_ConnectManager_SR01A01V23
[05-13_03:20:52:348] /usr/bin/quectel-CM profile[1] = tracfone.vzwentp///0, pincode = (null)
[05-13_03:20:52:349] Find qmichannel = /dev/cdc-wdm0
[05-13_03:20:52:349] net_path = /sys/class/net/wwan0
[05-13_03:20:52:349] Find usbnet_adapter = wwan0
[05-13_03:20:52:357] cdc_wdm_fd = 10
[05-13_03:20:53:358] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:20:55:366] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:20:57:374] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:20:59:382] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:21:01:390] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:21:03:398] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:21:05:406] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:21:07:414] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:21:09:422] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:21:11:430] QmiThreadSendQMITimeout pthread_cond_timeout_np=145, errno: 22 (Invalid argument)
[05-13_03:21:12:434] main Failed to QmiWwanInit: 22 (Invalid argument)


===========================
from day prior
========================

Tue May 12 14:23:53 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 AT+QCFG="nwscanmode"
+QCFG: "nwscanmode",0
OK

Tue May 12 14:23:54 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 AT+CIMI
3114805******4
OK

Tue May 12 14:23:56 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 AT+CRSM=176,12258,0,0,10
+CRSM: 144,0,"9841080000*******8"
OK

Tue May 12 14:23:58 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 AT+COPS=0
OK

Tue May 12 14:23:59 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 AT+CGDCONT=?
+CGDCONT: (1-24),"IP",,,(0-3),(0-4),(0-1),(0-1)
+CGDCONT: (1-24),"PPP",,,(0-3),(0-4),(0-1),(0-1)
+CGDCONT: (1-24),"IPV6",,,(0-3),(0-4),(0-1),(0-1)
+CGDCONT: (1-24),"IPV4V6",,,(0-3),(0-4),(0-1),(0-1)
OK

Tue May 12 14:24:00 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 AT+CGDCONT?;+CFUN?
+CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","vzwinternet","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 2,"IPV4V6","vzwadmin","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 3,"IPV4V6","vzwinternet","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 4,"IPV4V6","vzwapp","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 5,"IPV4V6","vzw800","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 6,"IPV4V6","vzwemergency","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,1
+CFUN: 1
OK

Tue May 12 14:24:23 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 AT+CGDCONT=1,"IPV4V6","tracfone.vzwentp";+CFUN=0;+CFUN=1

Tue May 12 14:24:24 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB2.

Tue May 12 14:24:24 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB2.

Tue May 12 14:24:25 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB2.

Tue May 12 14:24:26 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB2 Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB2.

Tue May 12 14:31:31 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB.

Tue May 12 14:31:32 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB.

Tue May 12 14:32:26 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB.

Tue May 12 14:32:27 2020 : /dev/ttyUSB Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB.


I've got the USB to Mini PCI-E adapter from The Wireless Haven on order just in case I need to update the modem firmware.

[BillA]

I've not had responses with many AT commands including AT+QPRTPARA=3 and AT!GSTATUS?

Sending the AT!GSTATUS? to any Quectel modem will just return an error since it's for Sierra modems only.
You can try these commands instead:

Code: Select all

AT+QNWINFO
AT+QCAINFO
AT+QENG="servingcell"
AT+QSIMSTAT?
AT+CNUM

[radec]

you might try putting it in LTE only mode.
I think the command is:

Code: Select all

AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",3,1

EDIT: also I think you can do it in the WiFix firmware if you are still running that. It is under Modem > Miscellaneous > Cellular Mode. atleast on the WiFix version I'm running.

[BrandonDillon]

Sending the AT!GSTATUS? to any Quectel modem will just return an error since it's for Sierra modems only.
You can try these commands instead:

Code: Select all

AT+QNWINFO
AT+QCAINFO
AT+QENG="servingcell"
AT+QSIMSTAT?
AT+CNUM

you might try putting it in LTE only mode.
I think the command is:

Code: Select all

AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",3,1

EDIT: also I think you can do it in the WiFix firmware if you are still running that. It is under Modem > Miscellaneous > Cellular Mode. atleast on the WiFix version I'm running.

No go on any of those commands. Flashed firmware back to WiFix GO 2020-3-07 to be able to send AT commands again.

I'm getting /dev/ttyUSB2 Can't open device /dev/ttyUSB2 repeatedly after applying

Code: Select all

echo "0x2c7c  0x0306” > /sys/bus/usb-serial/drivers/option1/new_id

to System > Startup > Local Startup (per BillA & https://www.wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=1206)

[BillA]

No go on any of those commands. Flashed firmware back to WiFix GO 2020-3-07 to be able to send AT commands again.

You could try the following...

Under Modem > Network Status > Modem > Modem ID: <xxxx>:<yyyy> look for the values <xxxx> and <yyyy> (do not include the brackets <>)

Under System > Startup > Local Startup (at the bottom) enter and submit the following:

Code: Select all

echo "0x<xxxxx>  0x<yyyy>” > /sys/bus/usb-serial/drivers/option1/new_id

These are some <xxxx> and <yyyy> values for different Quectel modems:
2c7c/0306 - EP06-A
2c7c/0512 - EM12-G
2c7c/0620 - EM20-G

Then go to this post https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?p=7330#p7330, and plug in the above values into:
Switched Vendor ID: <xxxx>
Switched Product ID: <yyyy>
PPP Modem Data Port: /dev/ttyUSB1
Communication Port: /dev/ttyUSB1

If ttyUSB1 didn't work then try ttyUSB2, and make sure to restart the router after each and every one of the above settings and changes.

[BrandonDillon]

Still no change in behavior. I'm still getting /ttyUSB2 Can't open device.


Here's my Modem > Connection Log


When I have the original firmware installed it sees the modem at /ttyUSB2


I'm assuming the original firmware doesn't make this all work because there's no field to enter custom TTL settings.

[BillA]

Looks like the the modem works fine with original firmware in QMI mode, so as a shot in the dark, try changing modes via:

Code: Select all

AT+QCFG="usbnet",0 - QMI
or
AT+QCFG="usbnet",2 - MBIM

Before you do that, make sure you have an an mPCIe to USB adapter available such as https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/pcie-m-2/mini-p ... -with-top/ in case something goes wrong.
Other than that, I would upgrade the modem's firmware to the latest version (https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261739964)

[BrandonDillon]

I ordered that adapter Thursday evening at your recommendation and should be here Wednesday, so I've got some time to tinker with the setup in the meantime.

I'm getting the same response with those AT commands

[BrandonDillon]

Update: verified working with simple, but still no go with PagePlus


I purchased a simple mobile SIM kit and plan today ($50 "unlimited" +5GB hotspot) and had the dealer activate it for me. I flashed back to the original firmware and added this SIM card in and set the APN to simple and I've got internet connectivity for the first time. This firmware is very barebones and doesn't allow for many adjustments. For instance I cannot update the TTL value and I'm unsure what it's set at.

My next step will probably be to flash WiFix back and try again, however it still didn't work until I loaded the original firmware back.

[BillA]

Your issue is puzzling, since merely using a different carrier shouldn't affect accessing the ttyUSB port at all. Hmm...
With 48% signal strength, getting just 0.64Mbps doesn't seem right. Try the TTL settings, otherwise something it not quite right with your setup. With only 30% signal I usually get about 50Mbps and ping times around 30ms on SimpleMobile.

[BrandonDillon]

The modem is detected and reachable with the original firmware with both the PagePlus and Simple Mobile SIM cards. There's no field to update the TTL values in the original firmware. There's also no field to enter AT commands through the original firmware.

Screenshot with PagePlus SIM (but no TTL values configured)


Is there a way to copy someones configuration of WiFix/GO that has my exact hardware? Unsure where to proceed from here.

[BrandonDillon]

Update: Getting some modem recognition/communication with WiFix and PagePlus; however still no internet connectivity with PagePlus

I updated the firmware from OEM firmware to Wifix GO 2020-03-07. After there was a clean installation (with the Simple SIM inside) I configured it to Simple APN/TTL and let it get connected before rebooting the router and finally switching the APN/TTL settings back to PagePlus [tracfone.vzwentp / TTL: 117] with one last reboot.

This is the first time I've had any variation of WiFix/GO display the SIM info or the modem (under Network Status).


The modem connection log shows repeat attempts and failures to connect.


The AT-Command log for reference:

[JimHelms]

If it were I and considering the amount of configurations has been put through the modem, I would reset the modem to OEM:

Code: Select all

AT+QPRTPARA=3

Then, give it a minute and do a hard reboot (power off, wait 5 seconds, power on).

[BrandonDillon]

It's taken a few months and much assistance from BillA, but I'm happy to report that I've successfully gotten PagePlus working with my setup



Ultimately I believe what solved my issue was following Yipzy's advice to disable autoselect config on SIM detection and disabling MBN config.

https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=19 ... 327#p10327
AT+QMBNCFG="AutoSel",0 (stop Autoselect config on sim detection)
AT+QMBNCFG="Deactivate" (disable MBN config)


Now I can shift gears into researching a new enclosure and antennas and optimizing the setup.



One lingering issue I've encountered is that I'm unable to send or receive text messages.

[Lawless0ne]

OP,

does anyone know the name or where i can get the the firmware from the picture on the post?

v/r
Law