Programming a SX5T Sprint PCS In Home (sm) Connection Terminal

If you have one of these devices, good luck in getting it programmed! Sprint is 99% clueless as to how these things work, or even what they are. I'd bet you 5$USD that if you called Sprint support, and said "I'd like to activate this "Sprint PCS In Home Connection Terminal"." they would say something like "...is that like an Air Card?". I called them numerous times, and got that every time. Well, finally I found someone that knew what was I had. Unfortunately, they didn't know how to program it. I was told a couple of times to contact Sprint stores in Indianapolis, IN, Richmond, VA, Charlotte, NC, or Minneapolis, MN. Well, as I found by calling them, no one knew ANYTHING about this device.

In case you don't know anything about the device, it is made by Telular. I used to have a GSM version that was on T-Mobile, however they do not cover my area well, and everyone at work is on Sprint... Well, that aside, my quest turned up gold. Someone (who shall remain nameless - just in case they could get in trouble) sent me the programing sheet! Below, you will find the relevant programming instructions:

Manually Entering Cellular Number into SX5T CDMA Unit

1. Connect a standard analog phone to either phone jack of the SX5T
2. Pick up receiver, listen for dial tone
3. Enter Programming Mode by entering # * 0 * {SPC} # your SPC by default is six 0s Example #*0*000000# once you have successfully entered into programming mode you will hear a slightly higher tone on the phones receiver. *NOTE: Sprint SPC is located below! You'll need that! In other words use #*0*216926# as the program mode code!
4. Once you have the higher tone enter # * 36 * ten digit phone number and then # (This is called the MDN#) you will get back your steady tone in the handset. If there are 3 beeps and then a steady tone then there was an error and you will have to repeat the command.
5. Enter # * 34 * ten digit phone number and then # (This is called the MIN or MSID) If this is a ported number it would be a different phone number than the previous step. A ported number is where you are keeping your old cellular phone number.
6. Enter # * 40 * your home area SID and then # (Your SID is different in each state you will have to obtain this number from your Carrier). *NOTE: The unit I had must be locked to Sprint (it was a Sprint branded unit) since I kept getting the "three ascending tones" - this is fine in my case, since I'm on Sprint!
7. Now the unit is programmed. Just hang-up the handset and the unit will reboot with the new programming.

SPC/MSL (Sprint): 216926
SID (Sprint): 04190
You'll also need your ESN in Hex and Decimal (located on the bottom of the SX5T), your phone number (MDN), and the MIN from your carrier (if used).

If they give you any guff, just tell them you know how to program the unit, and they will usually go ahead with the setup. I had to call the "Advanced Support Desk" at 866-588-9907, which actually got me right in to a technician. I spoke with three of them, and they ALL were very helpful (although they didn't know how to program the unit, but they tried!). The manual from Sprint comes with the Sprint branded units, but the Telular manual is located here. The Telular manual is much more verbose, and has some additional feature codes listed. You may need to use the configuration mode with the SPC instead of the custom or default "12345678" to access some features (like DTARD, for instance).

One more piece of advice... If you want to get the GPS working, and can't mount the antenna in a good location, put batteries in the unit, or use a long cord, and take it outside. Power it up and leave it out there for 20 minutes. It will store the GPS coords in NVRAM, so after that you can power it off and bring it back inside. I was told this by a Telular engineer, so I assume it to be good information :) Unfortunately, there is no diagnostic function for the GPS receiver (lameee!), at least according to the same engineer.

Good luck!

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