I ordered this modem on Tuesday night from HP Shopping. Since it was after 10:00 PM the modem did not ship out until Wednesday morning. Even though I got free 2-day FedEx shipping, the modem arrived on Thursday. This is happened before when I have ordered products from HP, their distribution site is in Memphis, TN, right near FedEx's main hub. Since Detroit is so close to Memphis most of the time packages get here overnight.
Since I wanted to test this modem from a clean slate I decided to do a hard reset of my HP Jornada 540. That involves pressing and holding the reset button on the back, and then pressing the On/Off button. Once that was done I reconnected the Jornada to my desktop computer and created a new partnership, only syncing Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Files and Favorites.
The next step is to attach a bracket to the Jornada, which secures the modem to the back. Novatel thoughtfully provided a screw driver and an extra screw just in case one gets lost. Since these screws are so tiny it is easy to lose one. You remove the top two screws from the back of the Jornada, line up the holes of the bracket with these holes, and then secure the bracket by screwing in the new, longer screw. You will want to store the screws that came with the Jornada in the tiny bag provided so that you can put them back should you ever decide to stop using the modem.
At this point I am confused as to what to do next. The documentation provided by Novatel and Omnisky both provide instructions for getting started. Novatel tells me to install their Modem Manager software on my software, whereas the Omnisky documentation makes no mention of the Novatel software and suggests that I should just install their software. I decided to install the Novatel software first.
So I plugged the Jornada back in its cradle, and then inserted the Novatel CD in my CD-ROM drive. Interesting note: the Novatel software supports MIPS, SH3 and ARM processors though right now the modem only works with HP Jornada Pocket PCs that use the SH3 processor. Version 3.01 of the software came with my modem. After installing the software you are prompted to reset the Pocket PC. At this point I decided to reset the Jornada before installing the Omnisky software.
The Omnisky setup screen provides two options, asking you were you purchased the Omnisky software. One option is an Authorized Reseller, which the program tells me to select if I don't have a username, password or activation code. Since the software came with the modem, which I bought from HP, I selected the authorized reseller option. The other option is direction from Omnisky's web site, which apparently if you do you get the requisite username, password and activation code.
To setup up an account using the software you will need an Internet connection. Here at in The Cave I am connected to the Internet via cable modem, so this is not a problem. If you were buying this modem somewhere else you may need to call Omnisky's customer service. An option is available for "offline activiation," and when it is selected a dialog box displays an 800 number to call.
Activating the Omnisky service involves providing Omnisky with the Electronic ID (EID) of the modem. When the online activation screen displays you first select which modem you have from a drop-down list, and then a graphic displays pointing to the EID on the back of the modem. in case the graphic doesn't display the EID is a 12 character string immediately below the bar code on the inside of the modem. The string is a combination of numbers and letters.
The next step is select the service plan that you want. All of the options provided for unlimited Internet access, with the differences being in either when you pay or whether you qualify for a rebate from HP. Your options are to pay annually for $359.95, or sign a 1 year plan at $39.95 per month. The annual option calculates to $29.95 per month, making it Omnisky's lowest priced plan. You must select both of these plans to qualify for a hardware rebate from HP. A monthly plan, at the same $39.95 per month with no contract is also available. If you select this option you do not qualify for a hardware rebate from HP, but you might still qualify for a rebate from Microsoft for the same amount of money. Check HP's web site for the current rebates available, as they may change by the time you read this.
There is a problem with this part of the online process. The web page on which you select the service plan that you want does not scroll, and there are items at the bottom of the screen that initially you will not see. Maximizing the screen made no difference for me, the only way to get around it is to press the tab key to move through fields. You will find a Promotional code field, which is probably for discounts, and the service agreement. Tab to the check box indicating that you accept the agreement, and then tab to the Continue button to move on.
Next you are asked to enter your zip code to check for CDPD availability. You might want to check Omnisky's web site to confirm coverage in your area. This point in the setup process is not where you want to find out that you don't have coverage.
Once CDPD coverage is confirmed you move on to enter your billing information. For this you will need a credit card, and Omnisky accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
After all of your billing information is entered you will be prompted to provide your choice of username and password. You have up to two characters and your username will be used with your Omnisky email address such as username@omnisky.net.
The screen after that is your receipt. You will want to print this page because it also contains your activation code, and you will need that code should something go wrong with your service. The Omnisky web pages hide Internet Explorer's toolbar and menus, so to print right-click on the page and select Print from the pop-up menu.
Now that you have a username, password and activation code you are set to install the software on your Pocket PC. The next web page contains a link which you click to start the setup process. After you get past the initial screen you will provide the information from the receipt on the User Information screen.
The next step sets up email accounts for use with Omnisky. This process is interesting because it apparently pulls information from somewhere, but I know it is not Outlook because not all of my Outlook mail services displayed -- most notably MSN. For each service you will provide the password for retrieving email. Included in this list is your Omnisky email address, which apparently you can choose to not include. You also are given the option of adding email accounts that are not displayed in this list.
After installing configuring your email accounts the setup program starts the standard ActiveSync process to install the software on your Pocket PC. When it is done you disconnect your Pocket PC from the desktop, reset it, and then attach the modem. You slide the Jornada into the sled, and it snaps into place and it is very secure. To remove separate the Jornada and modem you simultaneously press two buttons on the back of the modem and slide the Jornada out. You will need to do this whenever you want to synchronize the Jornada with a desktop computer, or reset the Jornada because the sled covers the serial & power ports and the reset button. Fortunately, when you plug in the AC adapter for the modem, the Jornada and modem are recharged. Novatel claims 12 hours of usage with the lithium batter included in the modem.
To connect to the Internet tap Start, Omnisky. The first time I did this the three LED lights on the front of the modem blinked, and the Omnisky home page appeared. However, it appears that these initial pages are cached locally on the Pocket PC. When I clicked on the link to bring up the CNET page I saw the standard Pocket PC connection dialog showing that a connection was being established to the Internet.
As I browsed pages I noticed the screen flickering as the traffic light on the modem blinked.