Using the SOS Quectel M95FA GSM/GPRS shield with Arduino Uno

The Quectel M95FA GSM/GPRS shield cannot be used with the Arduino Uno without some (easy, but neccessary) hardware modifications.

After applying the neccessary hardware modifications you can finally send (multiple) SMS messages using the SOS Quectel M95FA GSM/GPRS shield with Arduino Uno. All modifications are clearly explained in the PDF file.
The zip-file contains the Arduino sketch to be used with the described configuration.

Project Elements

Elektor_Labs_Send_2x_SMS.zip (ZIP)

This file contains the Arduino sketch for testing the shield + Accessory board.

Using the SOS Quectel M95_FA.pdf (PDF)

Discussion (1 comment)

Chris White 1 year ago

Where are people going to get a GSM SIM card these days?

Senior Editor, Elektor 1 year ago

Hi Chris,
indeed the process of eliminating physical SIM cards from mobile telephones is ongoing.
e-SIM will probably the future in mobile communications.
However, in the field of remote controlled devices, the usage of the "real" SIM card is still a solid reality, for many reasons. In UE you can easily find many suppliers of special SIMs dedicated to small-volume data communication, for SMS and remote control. They're inexpensive, and the respective yearly rental fee (for the service) is affordable.
Kind Regards.

Roberto

FutileResistor 1 year ago

SIM cards themselves should be backwards compatible with 2G/GSM... The only problem is that 2G networks are getting switched off! DIY projects using such 2G modems like this one could still work for a year or two, or a few more depending on country. But yeah 4G/3G is the way to go now for new projects :)

Speaking of getting a SIM card, in most countries one can buy prepaid SIM cards that could do the job to send a few SMSes now and then. And they are also suppliers of Machine to Machine SIM cards that can be quite affordable