EVDO WiFi Router & Cell Phone Repeater

[Jetsmania]

Hi! Has anyone purchased an EVDO WiFi Router. If so where did you mount it and how has it worked for you. I ordered one to put my air card in. http://booster-antenna.com/index.php?main_page=product_...h=35&products_id=18 3 Also has anyone played with Cell Phone Repeaters? Paul

[Jetsmania]

Hi! Has anyone purchased an EVDO WiFi Router. If so where did you mount it and how has it worked for you. I ordered one to put my air card in. http://booster-antenna.com/index.php?main_page=product_...h=35&products_id=18 3 Also has anyone played with Cell Phone Repeaters? Paul

[Lug_Nut]

Paul, My office uses them to make Hot Spots for feild locations. The product works very well. I would think you could mount it anywhere in the coach and use it throughout and immediately outside as the transmit range is fairly good. You will also mote that you can mount it vertically. EVDO (broadband) is not available everywhere but it will revert to 1X when not within EVDO coverage area.

Peter

[WilyRay]

Hi Jetsmania - you may want to check a similar thread on the Monaco Forum. Wilson is probably the leading provider and they will have a good cell phone repeater out in Jan or Feb.

[ronboc]

Help!

I thought I knew everything there was to know about EVDO and WiFi (simply because I slept in a Holiday Inn Express one nite while my coach was in for repairs . Yah, who am I kidding, I can barely SPELL EVDO), but your mention of a 'EVDO WiFi Router' threw me for a loop. Isn't EVDO and WiFi 2 different animals?


In any case, I'd like to hear your (or anyone else's) experience with 'em.

Thanks!
Ron

[ronboc]

Ok, now I'm REALLY confused.

What does this beastie reaaly do? I always thought EVDO was a cellphone transmission format, and WiFi was... well, WiFi. And they were both in totally different frequency spectrums and with diffeent formats.

After reading the specs and info on the KR1, I get the impression that it/they are the same thing, which is where I get confused.

My first impression was that it took a cellphone format EVDO card and then uplinked/downlinked all information to the WiFi band/format, but the more I read the less it seemed that way. I went away with the idea that it's using EVDO in the WiFi band (huh?), which is where I gave up and made another pot of coffee.

If my first impression was true, this would be perfect for us. I have a laptop with a Kyocera 650 aircard, and my wife has a Sony laptop that refuses to recognize any aircard in the PCMCIA slot (which I've learned is a failing of the hardware. We tried different aircards with same result, but it works fine with other PCMCIA hardware - like an old WiFi card). I was hoping I could stick the 650 card in the KR1 and be able to use both laptops. Now not so sure.

And will it work as a cell-amp too?

Can anyone enlighten me here?

[Jetsmania]

Hi! I ordered the EVDO Router and will report on it. I am currently also looking at the following items. http://www.cellamericas.com/Cellular...ers-c-249.html Not sure which one yet? They also have something for boats and RV's. or http://www.cellamericas.com/Cellular...ers-c-249.html Those are the things I am looking at now. Does not have to be from those companies. I was told by the EVDO company that the repeaters do work and will help make a signal better. I would love any help or suggestions about either product or ones I have not found yet. I purchased the router because it was the only one that would fit my needs. Thanks, Paul

[JavaJelly]

Used to be a techie before buying a campground. Also have researched and presented several seminars at campground owners conferences. I tell you this not to say I am the end all expert, but because I have seen a few patterns of confusion.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between getting the internet to where you are at and then accessing that connection at your location.

First, getting the internet to your location. There are several ways to get the internet to your location. Dial-up, DSL, Cable Modem, Satellite, T1 Line, and now digital cellular (EVDO). (cellular has been around but, now is getting more reliable and faster a la EVDO). Cellular also lets you access the internet in motion.

Second, accessing that connection. Once you have the connection to your location then you can connect as a single user or hook up a router for multiple users to connect. Users can connect to that router wirelessly or with a cable (usually ethernet RJ45). There are others but, not worth mentioning. So the router provides two functions - multiple users on the same connection and wireless access.

As an example, I am using the cable modem offered at Disney Fort Wilderness right now. That gets the inernet to my location. I could just hook directly to it as a single user with an ethernet cable.

I have hooked my wireless router from my campground to it. My wife and I connect to the router wirelessly and use the cable modem connection together. I can also have anyone around me connect w/in a certain radius. (Don't tell Disney please) It's that simple.

In this case, EVDO is the internet connection and the router simply allows multiple users to connect wirelessly.

I hope this helps vs. confuses.

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">What does this beastie reaaly do? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! Are you using Verizon. I will post a more detailed answer later as I am late for a meeting. Paul

[Lug_Nut]

To understand data speeds with current wireless cellular products, these are roughly the speeds.

Teathered wireless dial up. 9600 kbs max. average transfer probably 4 to 5kbs
1X. Max. 144 kbs average 60 to 90 kbs depending on traffic
EVDO. Max 2 mbs Average speed 700 to 1000 kbs. again dependant on overall traffic.

[ronboc]

Hi Paul -

Yup, using Verizon. Usually good coverage nationwide (so far), but having a LOT of trouble in Melbourne FL area. Not sure if it's signal strength or access problems.

Would be grateful for your/any assistance.

Thanks!
Ron

[JavaJelly]

Upload (sending) speeds are significantly slower than download (receiving) speeds for digital cellular and satellite connections.

I believe Peter is posting download speeds. This is generally the most important number as most of us want to surf faster.

[ronboc]

JavaJelly -

Thanks for the quick reply.

So if I understand correctly, I can take the Verizon KPC-650 EDVO card that I have now, which works over the cellphone network (at up to broadband speeds, depending on location), and plug it into a Kyocera KR1 router. It will then dial the cell-system to reach the internet (thru my current ISP provider, just like I'm doing now with the card plugged into a laptop). Once that connection is made, it will then allow me to connect to the Internet via a WiFi or Ethernet/RJ45 cable to any/all computers within range. And since the router is more robust than the itty-bitty cellphones, will probably have more signal strength. Did I get all ( or any??) of that right?

You also mentioned you have a wireless router now. Is it a KR1?

Ron

[Lug_Nut]

You are correct Scott, I should have mentioned it was the down speed, but that is the specifications all carriers quote. Probably because, as you said, it is the application most require.

Peter