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Huawei E220 is an HSDPA terminal that connects over USB.
There are several known hacks that you can do with E220 that are not advertised much:
- Flashing its internal memory
- Using it on GNU/Linux
- Using an external antenna or the hidden internal antenna connector to boost signal reception
- ...
Please note that when we say hack, we mean tinkering with a device for educational purposes or for defending your rights as a consumer, and hacking in our jargon has nothing to do with criminality (we use the term cracking for illegal activities).
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[edit] 1 Flashing E220's internal memory to load Huawei's original software
DO NOT FLASH YOUR DEVICE UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO RISK DAMAGING YOUR HARDWARE, VOIDING ITS WARRANTY, AND RUINING YOUR CONTRACT WITH YOUR SUPPLIER.Note: You have no reason to flash E220 if you only use the device from non-Microsoft and non-Apple operating systems. If you need to use Microsoft Windows, you may wish to try using third-party access software like MWconn (freeware) before attempting to flash the device.
Before flashing your device, you need to know that doing so in a Huawei E220 purchased by a network operator may void its warranty and/or ruin your contract with your ISP.
Chances are that you got a Huawei E220 modem loaded with non-Huawei software.
It is possible to restore the default Huawei software for Microsoft Windows. Just follow these steps:
- Go to http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/doc/list.do?type=-1&id=736
- Download the latest file named UTPS, eg E220-UTPSB002D03SP16C03 (Normal). This contains the Huawei Mobile Partner software for MS Windows. The MACHOST files have Macintosh software, and the HOST files have the older Huawei Mobile Connect software for Windows (Mobile Partner is much better than Mobile Connect).
- Decompress the file using 7-Zip or other utility.
- Connect your E220 modem and exit any other application using it.
- Execute the exe file found within the decompressed archive.
- Wait for the flashing process to complete. Don't be tempted to shut down your machine, and never disconnect the device unless you are told by the software that the process has finished.
- At some point, Mobile Partner setup process will start. This will install the software on your machine.
- Finish the software installation process and configure it with the right APN and DNS settings by creating a profile. See List of APNs.
- Test that the hardware works. If it doesn't, try flashing it with a previous version of Huawei's software, or buy a new replacement device if the flashing has voided your warranty and/or your ISP contract.
Be warned that the Mobile Partner and Mobile Connect software versions found in other download pages of the Huawei website (eg for the E620 data card) do not seem to work with E220.
[edit] 2 Using an external antenna with E220
WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT EFFECT THE USE OF AN EXTERNAL ANTENNA MAY HAVE ON YOUR WARRANTY, YOUR CONTRACT, YOUR HEALTH, OR THE SAFETY OF NEARBY AIRPLANES OR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, SO WHATEVER YOU DO YOU DO SO AT YOUR RISK!E220 does not have an external antenna connector, but you can use one nevertheless.
There are commercial kits available for boosting your signal reception using an external antenna with E220:
- http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ADPT-024
- http://www.infoferenda.eu/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=16&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2
[edit] 3 E220's hidden internal antenna connector
YOU ARE HEREBY WARNED THAT OPENING YOUR E220 MAY DAMAGE YOUR WARRANTY, CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT, DAMAGE YOUR DEVICE, AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH AND THE SAFETY OF NEARBY AIRPLANES AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MAY BE, THEREFORE WHATEVER YOU DO YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Inside E220, there is a connector for antenna, located in the right left corner of the picture:
In order to use this internal antenna connector, you have to split the the modem cover into two halves, which will destroy a locking screw (white spot in the upper left corner). If you open the cover, you will lose guarantee of the device so it is not recommended, unless you desperately need stronger signal and are ready to destroy the modem!
See also:
[edit] 4 Adding an external antenna connector
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It is possible to add an external antenna connector to the modem. You may use a standard cellphone to external FME-antenna adapter. Cut off the (proprietary) cellphone connector. Carefully strip the solder resist (varnish) from the groundplane on the PCB of the adapter, where you intend to solder the coax shield. Strip the coax, fan the shield braid and solder it to the ground plane. The center connector solderes easily in between the capacitor and inductor (see picture), leading to the center connector of the above mentioned internal connector. Be careful not to short the capacitor.
Tests were performed with a small yagi antenna. Signal strenght increases significantly from "poor" to "full" signal. However, the internal antenna does not seem to perform as well as before the modification. Hence, one should consider always using some sort of external antenna when the modification is applied.
--Ssemjaco 12:29, 2 August 2008 (CEST)