Kyocera KR1

Zip-Lock · 12-26-2005, 10:26 PM

I got my hands on a pre-production Kyocera KR1. I did a little write up over at http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/general-mp3car-discussion/66078-pandora-streaming-music-kyocera-kr1-evdo-router-test-post704475.html

It should make my wireless Internet (and GPS tracking) easier and more reliable!

Now I just need that webcam.

tz1 · 03-08-2006, 12:57 PM

The "diagnostic" port on the KR1 is actually a serial port, and the KR1 itself is a Linux box. I was able to modify the firmware to add gpsd (the standard unix/linux gps server) and connect a standard 4800 baud NMEA GPS unit, so my position goes out over the internet (or wirelessly to my laptop or PDA).

http://www.evdoforums.com/viewtopic....d30b44edeb785f

Zip-Lock · 03-08-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tz1

The "diagnostic" port on the KR1 is actually a serial port, and the KR1 itself is a Linux box. I was able to modify the firmware to add gpsd (the standard unix/linux gps server) and connect a standard 4800 baud NMEA GPS unit, so my position goes out over the internet (or wirelessly to my laptop or PDA).

http://www.evdoforums.com/viewtopic....d30b44edeb785f

That's sweet! Thanks for the tip. I'm going to give it a try on mine.

tz1 · 03-08-2006, 05:34 PM

Please wait or PM me if you want to beta test.

Kyocera/DLink is about to release a major bugfix update to the firmware and I'm not going to make the GPS (plus a few other things) firmware generally available until that release. Kyocera has even suspended shipments.

When I have a release of enhanced firmware I'll probably post at evdo-info first, and probably here too.

(If the protocols or other info were available for the other GPS applications, I might be able to integrate support for those too, though I might try a google maps page).

You can move NMEA over a network connection to a windows serial port with something like:

http://www.hw-group.com/products/hw_vsp/index_en.html

so many windows com-port only applications will work.

turbocad6 · 03-09-2006, 03:36 PM

tz1, I read the whole thread that you linked in your first post, & I can honestly say that, although I know the language was definatley english, that has the be one of the most un-understood things I have ever read

I have a kr1 in my car now, & for it to be able to transmit it's location without being dependant on a winxp machine would be awsome, but just from reading that thread I can tell that what you are doing is way beyond my abilities, when the new firmware is out, would you consider doing my router for me? I would ship it to you & I can pay you of course to do this..... this sounds like an awsome security system..... kinda like a your own personal private lojack..., at least this would be my main interest in having this...

no one else drives my car & I wouldn't want anyone else tracking it.... but if I ever got up one day & the car was gone, I'd be real glad I did this.... I would wire an activated pager to trigger the router to power up so I can call it & power up the router if the ign is off at the time.....

tz1 · 03-09-2006, 05:14 PM

Actually you will just have to do the firmware upgrade, but use my image instead of the one from Dlink or Kyocera.

If you look under the tools browser window, there will be a "firmware" page where you can do the upgrade.

The cabling might be something harder, but I'll try to come up with an easier solution there - perhaps someone would like to build the USB to DB9 adapter (and you would need a "PC" type GPS that went into a serial port, not USB).

I currently don't have a password or other protection for the gps, and you would need a dyndns account to get the data from the KR1 since the IP address changes.

tz1 · 03-10-2006, 02:16 PM

New KR1 firmware:

http://www.evdoforums.com/viewtopic....0706935c38ad58

http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/kr1-router/firmware.htm

RedGTiVR6 · 07-19-2006, 11:01 AM

I'd just like to chime in on this thread.

How strong is the signal from this unit? How far does it broad cast and would it be possible to add a range booster?

I'm interested in it for the car when we're on road trips to shows. Usually we're all in a caravan. People in other cars with their laptops would love to be able to access the wireless network I could set-up and check their email briefly. I'm aware that it probably wouldn't be fast enough for multiple people to check graphic intense pages or anything, but enough to keep up on some things and pass the time while driving across the country maybe?

Also, once you take the board apart, are the PCMCIA slot and the network ports on separate boards or are they all connected on the same board? Would it be possible for me to mount the ports one place and the slot in another?

also, does anyone know what the wallwart says? does this unit need 5v or 12v or what? Trying to figure out how we're going to wire it up in the car to power it.

and turbo - I agree, that's one hard thread to follow....in english even!

Zip-Lock · 07-19-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

How strong is the signal from this unit? How far does it broad cast and would it be possible to add a range booster?

It's average, but to be honest I've never done a distance test. Typically outside of buildings the WiFi signal goes much further. I have mine on the rear deck, and it works well. It has a standard antenna connector so there's no reason why you couldn't connect it to a better antenna mounted externally or add a signal booster.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-19-2006, 11:57 AM

sweet!

I should be picking one of these up soon then.

the manaul states 5v 3a for power...so that's possible on the M1!

turbocad6 · 07-19-2006, 12:31 PM

I run mine right off the opus..

RedGTiVR6 · 07-19-2006, 02:01 PM

just wanted to make sure it wasn't something outrageous like 17.2v @ 40amps....hehe

no reason for it to be, just wanted to double check

tz1 · 07-20-2006, 01:53 AM

> How strong is the signal from this unit? How far does it broad cast and would it be possible to add a range booster?

It has a standard antenna connector (the radioshack boosters work), so you can add what you want. You could also add via wired ethernet another router with a more powerful card (if one exists) or better antennae.

> I'm interested in it for the car when we're on road trips to shows. Usually we're all in a caravan.

You probably would do best with a rooftop antenna. Any typically used for "wardriving" would work - probably 9db or something close - typically these are just over a foot high with a magnetic mount.

> Also, once you take the board apart, are the PCMCIA slot and the network ports on separate boards

The wireless (atheros) is a mini-PCI card. The rest is a single board.

> also, does anyone know what the wallwart says?

It needs 1A at 5V. I have various USB, iTips, etc. adapters which work at 5v.

IT COMES WITH a car (12v cigarette plug) adapter - and it is probably the best one I've seen - it is a high efficiency DC-DC converter. If you add a battery in parallel though you must use a diode since 5v on the router side will attempt to power 12v (my iPod lighter adapter light would stay on).

More information is at evdoforums (see the URL below and strip the post) including a very long thread on alternate power sources and how much it actually consumes.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-20-2006, 07:53 AM

thanks a bunch!

IntellaWorks · 07-20-2006, 08:29 AM

I'd like to chime in here also. First though, I read the posts on the Evdo forums and damn that was a tough one to follow. Instead of using PC type GPS what about OEM GPS boards ??

Edit: Is the diag. port on the Kyocera KR1 actually a serial port in a PC configuration or is it in a proprietry configuration ??

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