Explorer checking for messages despite check interval set to manual

Hi,

My explorer+ often checks for messages despite the fact I have message interval set to manual. Especially frustrating as this considerably drains the battery when I don't have a clear view of the sky, which is often as I mostly use it around mountainous and treesome areas.

If anyone knows if this is a bug or if I can fix it with some other setting please let me know.

Thanks.

NOTE: I have already updated the firmware for it and still have this issue so that's not it.

0 twolpert over 3 years ago

For an active message check, the device transmits a query to the Iridium network, asking if any messages are available. If so, it actually receives the messages. If the device cannot contact the network, it (re)tries for quite a while. Yes, it is a battery suck.

There is an implicit active message check with every sent item (track point, outbound message, etc.). This one is no more costly than the original send - the message pending status piggy-backs on the acknowledgement of the send. However, the send itself will (re)try extensively in challenging conditions.

There is also an hourly automatic message check.

And you can invoke a manual active message check. This is what you get when you click "Check Now" on the Check screen.

When you send a message (as opposed to a track point), there is an extended active check at frequent intervals. This is intended to facilitate "conversations". This lasts for 10 minutes or so (after your last send in the conversation). Presumably, you have a good sky view when you send.

The listen interval setting to which you refer is not particularly useful. This controls "passive" listens. The device does not query the network. Instead, it turns on the receiver and passively listens for a "ring" indicating that a message is available. In the distant past, this sometimes worked because each device had an assigned timeslot for listening (which the network used for "rings"). This is no longer the case. The chances of actually receiving a pending message via a passive listen are virtually zero. Turning this off (by setting it to manual) is a good idea - even though the cost of the passive listen is a lot lower than the cost of an active listen. Especially in challenging conditions.

AFAIK, there is no way to suppress the automatic/implicit active listens as described above.