Buslink USB 802.11b/GPRS combo device

**mbayers** · 08-21-2005, 02:28 AM

Long time listener; first time caller!

I've been lurking for several weeks now, and wish to express my true appreciation for all the great info I've gleaned from everybody here. My carPC project is going to be much better due to what I've learned here. Thanks to all.

On to the business at hand . . . .

http://www.buslink.com/p_UM864GW.shtml

This is a Buslink combo 802.11b/GPRS USB dongle. I've not been able to find any reviews online, and a quick search for "Buslink GPRS" turned up nothing here. I was wondering if anybody had heard anything about this gizmo. It sounds like it would solve a problem for my project, and was hoping somebody might have the skinny on whether this was a worthwhile item.

As a related question, when a GPRS device connects a PC to the Internet, is it making a "call", like a dial-up modem? Or is it some sort of "instant on" connection? In other words, would I have to keep a list of local dial-up numbers handy? Or do you merely hit "connect", and it does so automatically?

Final question - does GPRS allow voice calls? Or would I be limited to Skype (or heck, just my regular cell phone)? I thought PhoCo sounded really cool, but it is apparently not able to work with my Audiovox SMT 5600 Windows Smartphone, and thought that this might be another way to get voice calling capability.

Many thanks,

Michael
Pasadena, CA

**mbayers** · 08-21-2005, 03:53 PM

... Bueller...?

... Bueller...?

**Jammer** · 08-22-2005, 02:25 PM

Looks cool! But no external antenna.

**mbayers** · 08-22-2005, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Jammer

Looks cool! But no external antenna.

Yeah, I'm thinking of running it up to the windshield and mounting it there in some sort of clip (or maybe just velcro) so I can pop it out if the need arises.

**Jammer** · 08-23-2005, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by mbayers

Yeah, I'm thinking of running it up to the windshield and mounting it there in some sort of clip (or maybe just velcro) so I can pop it out if the need arises.

They have a usb stand check this out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LINKSYS-WUSB54GP...QQcmdZViewItem

**mbayers** · 08-23-2005, 11:55 PM

I actually have that USB WiFi adapter. It would mean standing it on my dashboard (it's a weighted base) rather than "hiding" it in an upper corner of my windshield.