PCMCIA > USB adapter for wireless cards

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 08:22 AM

Please note, I am NOT referring to your typical 802.11G/B PCMCIA access card, I am referring to the 3G broad band access cards from cell carriers.

I'm trying to search for options other than the one in the store: here

But I'm not having much luck.

here's why I need a USB adapter:

Where my computer is located, I have a limited amount of hight to work with and most PCI cards are too tall for the location
I'm not using a case, so I have nothing to secure a PCI card to
I WILL not be using a case as I don't have anywhere to put one
I have to be able to easily access this card so that I can remove it very quickly when entering and exiting the car. I use this card with my laptop as well
Networking with my laptop to share the wireless connection while in the car is not an option. I am not interested in hauling around my laptop every time I get in the car to go somewhere.

Does anyone know of any other options other than this one dongle?

jeremy480 · 07-07-2006, 11:36 AM

You could just get a USB network card with external antenna and your problems are solved. This way you do not need to remove the pcmcia adapter from your laptop at all.

GRod · 07-07-2006, 12:10 PM

I've searched and searched for the same thing, and the only other device that I've come across is this one

http://www.evdoinfo.com/Events/CTIA_...m_20060407720/

ppgt94 · 07-07-2006, 12:19 PM

My old Lucent USB Wifi AP actually had a USB PCMCIA adapter inside the plastic case with a Orinoco silver plugged into it. I replaced the silver PCMCIA inside with the gold version and added an external antenna. Worked great for a while until I bent the pins and broke a few. I searched for another like adapter but eventually gave up and decided just to mod my antenna plug to fit my Netgear PCI 802.11g card and use that. If you can't find a seperate dongle your best bet might be on one of those Lucent/Orinoco/Proxim USB APs on ebay. You can replace the PCMCIA card with one of your liking, like I did. I made a post about it back in '04 where there's a little more info

Here's what they look like inside:

source - more info

Let me know if you ever find some off-the-shelf adapter for this.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jeremy480

You could just get a USB network card with external antenna and your problems are solved. This way you do not need to remove the pcmcia adapter from your laptop at all.

I'm speaking of a Broad Band Access card, NOT Wi-Fi

this is the stuff where I can be just about anywhere and get access.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GRod

I've searched and searched for the same thing, and the only other device that I've come across is this one

http://www.evdoinfo.com/Events/CTIA_...m_20060407720/

I had a coworker link me to that earlier as well. Too bad there's nothing more about it though...lol

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ppgt94

My old Lucent USB Wifi AP actually had a USB PCMCIA adapter inside the plastic case with a Orinoco silver plugged into it. I replaced the silver PCMCIA inside with the gold version and added an external antenna. Worked great for a while until I bent the pins and broke a few. I searched for another like adapter but eventually gave up and decided just to mod my antenna plug to fit my Netgear PCI 802.11g card and use that. If you can't find a seperate dongle your best bet might be on one of those Lucent/Orinoco/Proxim USB APs on ebay. You can replace the PCMCIA card with one of your liking, like I did. I made a post about it back in '04 where there's a little more info

Here's what they look like inside:

source - more info

Let me know if you ever find some off-the-shelf adapter for this.

again, this is NOT for wi-fi - it's for the cell phone access anywhere broad band cards.

BarryWoods · 07-07-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

again, this is NOT for wi-fi - it's for the cell phone access anywhere broad band cards.

I'm pretty sure it will work with any pcmcia card. Though on second thought it might not like cardbus cards.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 01:08 PM

From what I'm gathering, and someone point me to a source if I'm wrong, but the broadband card like what I've got requires something different than a typical wi-fi card.

I really have no idea what could be different, but I'm also not up to speed on the different protocols and data transfer capabilities differences.

kickercivic1 · 07-07-2006, 01:26 PM

http://www.roalan.com/USB%20to%20PCMCIA%20Adapter.htm

the second one. ITs cheaper, but doesnt support all the networks.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 03:11 PM

It's U111 - I found that one earlier. Apparently U111 is only supported by Cingular.

yrean · 07-07-2006, 04:33 PM

red. the adapter in the store works fine. I use it in my car. I havent mounted it permanantly yet. It comees with a usb extension cable and is in a decent plastic case. i have a verizon 3g card and needed the u132 support. I am not able to use the mobile connection manager, the software for the card(for some reason it doesnt see the card) but the card when inserted adds itself as a modem. I set it to auto reconnect if it drops a signal and its been fine. when i first ordered it i looked everywhere for a different solution since it was still a pre order, I was also looking to see if i could find anything for less.. I seen the same adapter sold elsewhere for about the same price, but i didnt see anything really different or even any other option for the most part that supported the 3g cards. If you want to know anything else about it, let me know. For me it works great.

Note: as for mounting it and having easy access to the card. you can run it away from the pc with an extension im sure, and then just use some velcro. the case on it is perfect for it. Put it wherever you want. Ill also be using this card in both my laptop and my car.

ppgt94 · 07-07-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

again, this is NOT for wi-fi - it's for the cell phone access anywhere broad band cards.

OK, but still doesn't matter. It's a generic adapter. Will work with most PCMCIA cards wheter for wifi or whatever.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 08:47 PM

apparently it's different

the u132 standard is different than your average PCMCIA card:

Quote:

Please note that the unique hardware design of the U132 has been developed especially for this type of wireless modems, so other card types are not supported. The U132 does not support memory cards

as taken from this page: http://www.roalan.com/USB%20to%20PCMCIA%20Adapter.htm

and this on that page as well:

Quote:

32-Bit CardBus Cards supported for 3G connection, including CDMA, UMTS, EDGE and HSDPA.
Note that if your card includes a Wireless LAN (802.11) connection this is not supported via the U132

I'm looking and I can't find a specification written out, but I'm looking for it...

RedGTiVR6 · 07-07-2006, 08:51 PM

But then I find this:

Quote:

Can I use other PCMCIA cards in my U132?

No. There is no 'universal' solution which will support all PCMCIA cards in a USB adapter ( similar to our P-Series of PCI adapters.) The U132 supports only the Wireless Modem cards which have been designed using a USB host controller chip as a bridge

found here: http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/su...supportedcards

I see that Zip-lock is responding, maybe he has an answer?