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Michael
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Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 5022
Location: Cary, IL
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 Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:40 am Post subject: Mac Developers Wanted - Signal Strength Mods for PC Cards |
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Hello,
Updating the ProductID/VendorID stuff allows the Apple Drivers to use the Novatel v620 (and Kyocera KPC 650 and Sierra AirCard 580) on your PowerBook running Mac OS X.
The only downside, is that the Verizon menu (showing the signal strength, 1xRTT or EVDO signal, activating the card) does not function. It only functions with a PC 5220.
I am trying to get this:
to work with not only Sierra PC 5220, but also Novatel V620, Kyocera KPC 650 and Sierra AirCard 580.
The file that needs to be updated, is located here:
/System/Library/CoreServices/MenuExtras/Verizon.menu/Contents/MacOS/Verizon
Before jumping in, are there any developers out there, that have already modified this or would be willing to help.
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rcw3
EVDO User
Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 12:59 pm Post subject: I would like this too... |
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I tell you, this would be very helpful. As a new owner of the Kyocera card, the status information would be very useful.
I'm a programmer, but would have no clue where to even start on something like this!  |
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Michael
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 5022
Location: Cary, IL
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like this is the shopping list to get it working:
- writing usb driver
- modem script
- interface to talk with driver
Each PC Card has a unique api / developers guide that would be useful.
I would like to build a single app that supports all 4 current EVDO pc cards and have it be able to easily support more in the future.
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rcw3
EVDO User
Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 9:02 am Post subject: Programmers Guides? |
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Do you happen to have the programmers guides for any of these cards?
I'm trying to get more information from Kyocera on the passport. I also just started reading the IOKit Fundamentals and such from Apple developer site. |
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abhopper
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 13
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
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| Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 6:12 am Post subject: I'm interested... |
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Have you been able to find API's for the Novatel V620? I just browsed their website quickly and didn't see anything. I just got the V620 and am interested in getting the menu working.
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Novatel V620 w/15" Powerbook G4 running Mac OS 10.3.9 |
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rcw3
EVDO User
Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 7:07 am Post subject: Nothing yet |
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| I sent off some email to Kyocera that drew up a negative. I'm sure they're out there somewhere. All these cards use the Qualcomm chips (why the same driver works at all I imagine). I was thinking of trying Qualcomm next (or trying a little higher up the chain with Kyocera). |
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Michael
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 5022
Location: Cary, IL
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 8:46 am Post subject: Signal Strength from Mac OS X Command Line |
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I found this information on the web, it gives you directions on how to get the signal strength from the Mac OS X command line. Not sure if it would work with a Novatel V620 or Kyocera KPC 650, but it may:
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Haven't tested the accuracy of the EVDO light, but the signal strength
is directly tied to the dBm level reported in the console.
For those who want to geek out, get GeekTool: http://projects.tynsoe.org
Suggested commands to display:
grep dBm /Library/Logs/Console/<your username>/console.log | tail -c10
<current signal strength in a dBm>
echo `(netstat -Ippp0 -bn && sleep 4 && netstat -Ippp0 -bn) | awk
'/Link#7/ { if (!i) { i=$6; o=$9 } else { i=$6-i; o=$9-o } } END {
print int(i/4096)"/" int(o/4096)" kB/s" }'`
<approximately the current throughput up and down>
Each of the above commands needs to be on one line. User beware. No
user support implied. The cool thing about GeekTool is you can display
the information anywhere you want in any font you want. I fit the
throughput, signal strength, and cpu load in the corner to the right of
my HD icon. No wasted menu bar space, or the need to keep Activity
Monitor running to see the throughput. |
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Michael
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 5022
Location: Cary, IL
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| Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 1:41 pm Post subject: Signal Strength PowerBook - V620, KPC650, AC580 |
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First apply changes via Terminal for your EVDO PC Card (documented at EVDOinfo.com under Tips)
Download zTerm
Launch ZTerm
For modem select verizon001
Type in AT +CSQ?
The first number returned is between 0 -31 (99 = no service).
So, if you get a 24. Divide 24/31 = 70% signal strength
This seems to work only when the PC Card is NOT connected, but it is a good way to determine you signal strength, until other options come out.
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Michael
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 5022
Location: Cary, IL
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| Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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Here is something else that is cool:
Enter AT +CSS?
The number that is returned is the SID that you are connected to. On my PowerBook a Kyocera KPC 650 returns:
?, 20
Look up the number 20 here
Mine shows:
Chicago SMSA LP Verizon Wireless
That is the correct location for me.
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