Mac EVDO

Michael · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:31 pm Post subject: Mac EVDO

Here is an update to an old thread

The Merlin EX720 works with the MacBook Pro - find out how at:

Merlin EX720 and MacBook Pro - EVDOinfo.com

We get a lot of frustrated Mac Users, going into their local Verizon Store to be told:

Sorry, EVDO cards do not work on PowerBooks

or

The PC5220 no longer works on the BroadbandAccess network

or

The newer cards are 50% faster

We started a page JUST to cover this topic:

Mac EVDO

There is a wealth of information on EVDOforums.com (just do a search). There is also a wealth of information on EVDOinfo.com , there is a search box at the top right of that site, so you can easily find what you are looking for.

Also, if you using your Verizon EVDO card with a PowerBook, please reply to this thread, with:

- EVDO Card you have
- Booster Antenna used? Signal Amplifier Used?
- PowerBook used (WallStreet, Pismo, PB15, PB17, etc.)
- OS X 10.3x or 10.4
- your comment for Mac users thinking about Mac & EVDO and reading this thread.
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mikev · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:26 pm Post subject:

Kyocera KPC650
No booster antenna or amplifier
Powerbook 15" 1.5GHz
OS X 10.4.1

If you don't mind the lack of signal strength information, as well as the 1xRTT/EV-DO indicator, then I see no reason to not modify the driver and go for it!

dmf · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

Novatel V620
15" Powerbook
OS X Tiger (10.4.1)

Used the easy installer from this site and was up in a matter of minutes!

Michael · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:19 am Post subject:

I forgot to say what I use...

PC5220
Novatel V620
AirCard 580
KPC650
ones not yet available too Smile

With and without the booster antenna (depends where I am), don't need it in my house, I do use it other places were the signal is not as strong. I use the Inteligain Amplifier sometimes too (especially, when I need that extra speed).

I use them all for testing, but I primarily use the PC5220, because I like the signal strength indicator and EVDO vs. 1xRTT indicator (AND Mac OS X can activate the card - no need for a PC).

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rcw3 · EVDO User Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 47

Kyocera KPC650

No booster antenna or amplifier (although I do have a couple antennas that I use on occassion - one for the car and one for a mountain home where I would normally get no signal)

Apple PowerBook 17"

OS X 10.4.1

In search for the secret CnS channel protocol so I can add status and activation for all cards.... Smile

chimpanzee · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 14

Powerbook 15" 1.5Ghz
PC5220
OSX 10.3.9

Just unplugged the PC5220 from my PC laptop 3 ft away.

Boom..it works.

Dang, this thing rocks. DSLReports.com reports 330kbps down, 99kbps up. My freakin' DSLExtreme.com land-DSL is 321kbps down, 300kbps up. (I'm on the 300k-700kbps download..I need to complain to DSLExtreme.com)

I'm getting 2.5 bars of strength.
[ on my PC laptop, VZAccess Mgr shows 0 bars..then 1 or 2 bars. ?? The strength reading is erratic. When I go to my backyard, the strength is consistently 2 bars. Around town, it's like 4 bars ]

For weak-signal conditions, I bought a Wilson external antenna (5 dbi):

http://WilsonElectronics.com/antennas/wcmagnet.htm

I may get an amplifier in the future.

chrisjoseph · EVDO Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 1

Just got my 5220 card; plugged it in, and presto! Works GREAT. And great tech support from EVDOinfo.com.

chimpanzee · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 14

Michael · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

Here is my favorite quote so far:

davesevick · EVDO Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

1. Got card ordered from mike at EVDOinfo.com and the good people at http://evdoforums.com and http://booster-antenna.com in Chicago. Mike partners with "Imagineering Wireless" in San Diego, an authorized Verizon agent. I say this because it is the same deal I got at my Cranberry Township PA Verizon Wireless dealer ..... where I first went yesterday 7-28-05 ( big mistake ) .... they gave me the "we don't support Apple ...." crap ....

2. After reviewing all the new info Mike posts at http://evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/Mac_EVDO_20050712475 I decided to RETURN my newly purchased Novatel v620 card ( $159 - $100 rebate = $59+tax net ) to the local Verizon store and go with the EVDOforums deal ( $119 - $100 rebate, no tax = $19 net ). Shipped to me overnight at $20. Came today at 1 PM via UPS ( less than 19 hours ). Monthly rate for unlimited service is $79.99.

3. On the EVDO site, downloaded the free driver "Novatel_V620_Driver_1.1.2.dmg" ... inserted my card .... typed in a few settings in "internet Connect" .... Done !

download speed = 724 upload speed= 120 ( I'm running 10.4.2 on a PB17 )

Very happy with speed, price and tech support . A+ rating on this experience.

Dave

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Dave Sevick, ACTC
Pittsburgh
The Expert Macintosh Consulting Group
http://www.expertmacintoshconsulting.com
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Portland1 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

I can't believe it. I'm floored. So easy and it works! You got my PC5220
card here so fast I can't believe it. With much caution and trepidation I
first read the literature, then plugged it in my MAC powerbook 15" expecting
any step to go wrong. But I was thankfully wrong. It connected without any
problem here in Portland OR. Ran McAfee's bandwidth tester and was blown away with the speed! This is without a doubt the most amazing thing. And I
owe it all to you and your websites and Apple for makin it so easy.

I thought it ironic on the front of Verizon Wireless's BroadbandAcess
pamphlet it pictures a person using none other than a Mac notebook and yet
Verizon claims to not support mac. Someone thankfully has a sense humor LOL.

Thanks again you made my day,

gproffit · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 6:20 am Post subject:

PowerBook G4 15" 1.5ghz
OS X 10.3.9
Kyocera PC650
no external antenna, as yet.

Found evdoforums.com and thus, booster-antenna.com while googling "mac evdo broadband access".

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic, but originally ordered two 5220 cards and two one-year service agreements through Mike a booster-antenna. He contacted me to let me know the supply was gone/limited and suggested a change order to the kyocera cards. I agreed and received the cards via priority overnight as promised.

I completed the .plist "hacks" on two powerbooks and I'd love to say that the cards worked on initial plug-in. They did not. They did show up on the PowerBook, but continued to get "no carrier" error messages in the Internet Connect log file.

The great news is that Mike offered phenomenal support! Dozen emails, phone calls, screenshots. Finally determined that the cards had never been properly "activated" on a windows box prior to shipment from Imagineering Wireless, this in spite of Mike's explicit instructions to do so.

We activated the cards on a Wintel machine and presto! they now work as advertised! I'm getting 700 down and 50ish up in Charlotte, NC.

(Mike even worked out a "hassle credit" on our order).

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT! My greatest fear when I started researching a solution.

Michael · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 8:56 am Post subject:

Hello Greg and welcome to EVDOforums!

I am so glad everything is working out for you.

We have added an extra step in the "Pre-Activate for Mac Users" option, so that not only does the card get pre-activated, BUT they NOW get tested before being sent out. This will eliminate the time we both spent trying to get things to work and make it more "plug and play" for others.

Keep us posted how things are working out.

When Verizon releases Kyocera KPC650 VZAccess software, we will do extensive testing, report on it here an on EVDOinfo.com.
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evdophx · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:02 am Post subject: New convert.

- EVDO Card you have - Verizon KPC650
- Booster Antenna used? Signal Amplifier Used? - None
- PowerBook used (WallStreet, Pismo, PB15, PB17, etc.) - Use PB Ti400 and PB Al 15"

- OS X 10.4.2

- I have been suffering with dialup for a few months. I miss the DSL and cable connections I used to have. The EVDO option is just amazing. Not to meniton, this site helped get it going easily after brushing up on pico from my college days. Gotta love that fresh tap to the system core.

If you are thinking of biting the bullet, bite the EVDO bullet. Don't look back.

Thanks for the forum.
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evdo on a mac - piece of cake!

Michael · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:03 pm Post subject:

Hello Fellow Mac EVDO'rs

Looks like there is a new option for Mac users.

VZAccess for the Mac for KPC650 is now available. This allows Mac users another choice, more info at:

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/The_News/Latest_News/VZAccess_for_Mac_for_KPC650_Released!_20050822525/
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