MC66

Modified on Wed, 27 May at 7:37 PM

MC66

This page helps you identify the MC Technologies MC66-W RS232 modem and check the modem label, LED status, antenna connection, power connection, and SIM card. The MC66-W is a 2G GSM/GPRS modem, so it needs an active SIM card, 2G network coverage, and a correctly connected external antenna to communicate.

The MC66-W only supports 2G GSM/GPRS. If your mobile operator has shut down 2G in your area, the modem cannot connect regardless of SIM, antenna, or LED status. Check with your SIM provider that 2G is still active on the network and on your subscription before troubleshooting hardware.

Identify the modem

Check the label on the modem.

Specification	Value
Modem type	MC-Technologies MC66
Housing color	Blue
Network	2G GSM/GPRS (Quad-band 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz)
Power	8–30 V DC
Antenna connector	SMA female
SIM	Mini-SIM (2FF), 1.8 V or 3 V

LEDs

The modem has two LEDs:

The red LED shows power control and controller status.
The yellow LED shows the modem’s GSM/GPRS network and communication status.

Use the blink pattern, not only the colour, when identifying the modem status.

Red LED

The red LED indicates the power control and the status of the modem controller.

LED status	Meaning
On	Modem is powered and ready.
Off	Modem is not powered, powered down, or still starting up.

Orange LED

The orange LED shows the modem’s network and communication status. On some units the orange LED may look red through the casing, so use the blink pattern to identify the status.

LED mode	Operating status of BGS2T
Permanently off	Modem is powered down
600 ms on / 600 ms off	Limited network service: no SIM, no PIN, network search in progress, or login in progress.
75 ms on / 3 s off	IDLE — registered, no data session.
75 ms on / 75 ms off / 75 ms on / 3 s off	GPRS context active — ready for data.
500 ms on / 25 ms off	Packet data transfer active. The modem is currently sending or receiving data.
Permanently on	Call/data session active, or parameters are being exchanged while setting up or tearing down a session.

Antenna

The MC66-W uses an external antenna connected to the modem’s FME male antenna connector. The antenna cable must therefore have an FME female connector. Use a quad-band GSM antenna that supports:

Supported GSM band	Frequency range
Connector on modem	SMA male
Connector on antenna cable	SMA female
Supported frequency bands	Quad-band GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz

SIM card

The MC66-W uses a SIM card to access the mobile network.

The SIM card must be active and allowed to use 2G GSM/GPRS on the mobile operator’s network. The SIM PIN should be disabled unless the connected system is configured to enter the PIN automatically.

Modern SIMs are often supplied as nano-SIM or micro-SIM inside a punch-out frame. Make sure the SIM is the correct size for the modem’s SIM card reader before inserting it. Do not insert a loose nano-SIM or micro-SIM directly into a larger slot.

Inserting the SIM card

Check the SIM orientation symbol on the underside of the modem. The cut corner and contact side of the SIM card must match the symbol shown on the modem casing.
Insert the SIM card carefully into the SIM slot.
Push the SIM card all the way in until it clicks or locks into place. It may be necessary to use a fingernail or a small flat tool to push the SIM card fully into the slot. Do not use excessive force. When correctly inserted, the SIM card stays locked inside the modem and does not slide back out.

Removing the SIM card

To remove the SIM card, gently push the SIM card further into the modem and then release it. The internal locking mechanism will release the SIM card, so it can be pulled out by hand. Do not pull the SIM card out by force while it is locked since this may damage the SIM slot.

Important: restart after changing SIM card

If the SIM card is inserted, removed, or replaced while the modem is operating, the modem must be restarted so it can detect the SIM card correctly and log on to the mobile network. To restart: disconnect the power cable from the modem for at least 10 seconds, then reconnect it.

SIM card settings (APN and HNI)

After inserting a new SIM card, the TMC-3 must be configured with the SIM's APN and HNI so the modem can register on the mobile network and reach OrbiSCADA. The procedure depends on the TMC-3 firmware version.