Go easy on me, first post, but I'm really hoping you clever people will have a very good answer.
I've been experimenting with the GSM Sim800l board and purchased a Vodafone V-sim to test it with.
As my programming skills are very limited I am starting off with some of the example sketches from the SIM800l library. Each one seems to compile ok and download ok and all seem to do what the sketch was designed to do, except!
I have been unable to send any SMS messages to the device, also I have been unable to send any SMS messages from the SIM800l to a mobile.
I also rigged up a DHT22 sensor and following a Youtube tutorial on how to set up a very simple Thingspeak temp and humidity monitor, but the SIM800l did not appear to be updating that either.
So question is, or should I say questions, has anybody had any experience using the Vodafone V-sim on any IoT project as I'm pretty sure that's my my projects don't work. non compatible sim card.
Can anybody recommend a good cheap SIM deal that would work on Arduino IoT projects
ok, so before I go an order a 3 SIM card, I thought I'd use the SIM in my mobile WiFi dongle, SIM works fine in the dongle but wont connect to the thingspeak site. Unable to use any of the Example sketches for sending or receiving SMS. I am assuming that the GSM module works ok indoors, I have both the indoor and outdoor antenna attached, and my PC is positioned near a window. I kinda thought using the example sketches first would be fairly straightforward and a better way to test everything is working ok before doing more complicated sketches.
Anybody got any clues as to what's gone wrong?
John03:
SIM works fine in the dongle but wont connect to the thingspeak site.
That seems to be a contradiction, but I guess it depends on what you mean by "fine". I think the SIM800 is a 2G device, so you might start by ensuring that your provider provides a 2G service. If it doesn't, moving closer to the window won't save you.
Not sure what you mean by a contradiction, the SIM I have is for a Mobile Wifi router and it works ok in that. Put the same SIM in the 800L and it wont connect to Thingspace nor will it let me send or receive SMS messages using the example sketches.
As for 2G SIM's, I actually thought they had been phased out a few years back. With this in mind I purchased a new SIM800l thinking it would be compatible with today's tech, guess I'm wrong. Looking at the 3 Website I dont think any of there SIM deals use a 2G SIM. Am I wrong?
Probably not, but that all rather depends on where you are on planet Earth - something you have never bothered to disclose. I understand that a few US providers still have 2G for data, which may or may not be helpful, but at least you know that 2G service can actually exist in a 4G world.
Well I'm here in the UK, which seems to be the worst place on the planet if your looking to do IoT things with GSM/GPRS boards, US and parts of the Western hemisphere seem to have pretty good deals on IoT SIM's. Really have spent far too long trying to get this project to work and I'm pretty disappointed by the lack of information available on this forum on said topic, I thought there would be far more people using the Arduino on the IoT side of things
Well, plenty do, but are more inclined to use an Internet connection. I imagine the only reason for using a phone shield is that you don't have an Internet service. In that event, there are 4G shields available - at a rather eye-watering price. Further, an "IoT SIM" is not necessarily for a 2G service. It could be just loose language.
If your Sim work OK in your mobile router, then you should be able to assume the mobile signal is OK whether it is 2G, 3G or 4G.
What Arduino are you using with your GSM board, and which software are you using - providing a link is usually best as often there is more than one location with different variants of the software.
@John03
I use a Tesco mobile PAYG SIM card in my Sim800L and can send and receive messages fine in the UK.
What Sim800L are you using?
How are you powering it?
Have you tried sending AT commands to see it’s response?
What program are you using? (We can’t see it!)
What setup have you got and the connections?
All this is fairly handy to know to help us help you.
Ok answer to some question that I already put in my first cry for help.
I'm currently trying some of the example sketches that come with the SIM800l library (I did say this in my post) mainly the ones for sending and receiving SMS, not going anywhere near doing my own sketch till I get these working.
The connections are the ones described in the sketches.
What SIM800L am I using? the new one is a small red board with connections for mic and earphone on it, the older one is a slightly larger blue board marked SIM800L EVB.
Power? I have tried three different methods, one site suggested connecting a 1n4001 diode on the positive line, that made no difference. One connection straight from the 5volt supply from the Arduino. Finale attempt was done using a joule thief powering the SIM800l none seemed to make any difference.
What Arduino did I try? The Uno, the Nano, the WeMos D1 and the WeMos D1 Mini all with the same results.
The AT commands, I did have the results written down but cannot find them at the mo, but basically the SIM was ok, pin code was ok (as it's been deactivated). I will reload the AT sketch and copy down the results.
I will try and be constructive as it seems some of the requested info is a secret.
Probably worth reading “how to get the best out of this forum” pinned to the top.
Did you know there are several Sim800 libraries? Should we guess?
I use the small red Sim800L with a 3.3v pro mini and it works fine. I power the Sim800L with a Li Ion 18650 battery. The Sim800L (red board) needs 3.4V-4.3V @ 2A (peak) Some can take 5V apparently but mine can’t.
The Sim800L logic level on this board is 2.8v so you may need a voltage divider to lower your controllers TX pin to a safer level. Again Some have not done this and have been ok, depends if you want it reliable I suppose.
To start with I would use a basic serial relay sketch to communicate with the Sim800L and send it AT commands to see whether you are able to send/receive an SMS.
When I started with the Sim800L I found this YouTube video very informative (it’s using the Sim900 module but will work with the Sim800L, has great info and program supplied)
"To start with I would use a basic serial relay sketch to communicate with the Sim800L and send it AT commands to see whether you are able to send/receive an SMS."
ok I don't think my written english is very good coz some appear not to be understanding me. So I'm not able to send or receive any SMS massages using the example sketches, so little point wiring up a relay to see if that will work.
I have tried more than one method of powering the unit up, my last reply detailed all this.
I'm not trying to be secret about the information I give or do not give as the case maybe, I just don't know what information you actually require to answer the original question.
I am using the following SIM800L library's, GSMSHIELD-Master, Sim800l-master, and the revised library too. Is there any others I should try?
Is there any other information I could give you that might help ?
If you can post a link to where the library that you are using is located, it is far safer and clearer that anyone else has the right library. Too often a library with the same name appears but has a different code base so people end up looking at different code and not understanding the problem the other person has.
It is more important that we can see the library you are using and having just the name is not always enough hence teh request that you post a link.
As promised here are some of the AT command results
AT = ok
AT+CPIN = Error before you ask the SIM pin is disabled despite what this error implies
AT+CREG 0,0 = OK
AT+CGATT+CSTT = "everywhere" Error. EE's APN
There are a few more I could try but I think you get the idea
I'm not sure what you are trying to imply by getting me to read (again!) How to get the best out of this forum - Project Guidance - Arduino Forum, I'm given you all the information I think will help but I'm pretty new to the Arduino forum as previously explained and this is the first attempt at the IoT. Any information you require or need I will gladly send. I'm just about to watch the Youtube video you sent the link to, I have a feeling I have already seen it.
I can post one of the example sketches if you want but they are already in the Arduino IDE, as also previously explained so did not think there was a need to post it. Only edit's I have made to them is adding my telephone number and/or wifi settings as required and I do not wish to post those private details.
