KR1 Wireless Speed vs USB 720 Direct Connection

Dynamo1181 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

I am running the latest firmware on the KR1 router which is the RK1010. I found that the encryption at low level (WEP) had little if any effect on speed. At least I could not measure it. Today I ran more than 20 tests thru 3 different sites to get some consensus on the speeds of either connecting to the router by cable or wireless as well as thru the USB720 direct in the puter. The cabled router and the direct USB 720 were the same. As mentioned encryption made little difference. I connected thru a rev A Verizon site near Allentown, PA.
I found that the KR1 slowed the download speeds generally 50% from 1.2 MBS down and 450 KBS up to 550 down and 450 up. In comparison I found several days earlier that on a 1xr connection the KR1 slowed speeds by 90% from 100KBS to 10KBS...substantial!
Anyway, I am trying to see if this is unusual. So if any of you can do some tests it might help us all.
Thanks for the help.
Alan
PS: The "speakeasy.net site is pretty easy to use.

Speakeasy - Speed Test
Bandwidth Speed Test
Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

Welcome to the forum. I've been using the Sprint U720 with the KR1 since the U720 came out. Uploads were limited to around 500kbps until the release of RK1010. Since then I've seen absolutely no noticeable difference in speeds when running the U720 in either the KR1 or directly in my laptop or desktop. This has been tested and checked by many people on this forum including the forum owners, 3GStore. (Check out their review)

If you'll search you'll find the many results posted already. IMO, there's something wrong with your KR1 or some other part of your equation for there to be such drastic differences in your speeds. What you're reporting is highly unusual.

Thanks for the tips on the speedtest sites. Most of the regulars on this forum have been test crazy for some time now using these and other test sites as we've watched with great anticipation the deployment of 1xrtt, EVDO Rev 0, and then Rev A.

I hope you get whatever is wrong with your KR1 fixed or get it replaced. BTW, did you get it from 3GStore? If so contact them for service. If not I'd certainly be in touch with whoever you got it from.

Dynamo1181 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Dave,
I did purchase the unit from the 3G Store. The tech there was most helpful in working over the phone, verifying the speed decrease; but he felt this speed decrease was in the normal range, explaing that if it were returned to Kycero and found in specs, they would have to "eat " the replacement cost. I was insistent and the tech agreed to email Kycero a discreption of the problem. I recieived a call from Kycero last night stating they would ship a replacement. This mornings mail had a notice of backorder awaiting me Sad

.
Thank you for the comments; I will investigate the site more thoroughly and look fwd to participating.
Alan

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

Wow. The 3GStore tech said that a 50% loss in EVDO speeds and a 90% loss in 1xrtt through the KR1 was in "the normal range"? Seems to me that there's possibly some miscommunication there.

I'm really surprised if 3GStore has dropped the ball here. Must be something more to the story as they say . . . . . . . . . Be sure to let us know how it goes with Kyocera.

Dynamo1181 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Dave,
I can appreciate what you are saying re more to the story... All I can say is I controlled everything possible at my end. I had no other puter connected; I kept antenna and equipment in same place; I repeated tests both connection methods at the same time, 3 or more times to each of the speed sites I listed, in trying to eliminate the normal irregularities. On one site I was able to copy the url result site directly to the tech. I can even post the email sent to Kycero by 3G based on their observations. I have to give the tech an "A" on effort in diagnosing the problem , but a "c" in his desire to contact Kycero or aid in replacing the unit. The short answer that the router will cause a slowdown by the amts listed was unacceptable to me. Regardless I appreciate the help of the tech and the support of 3G. I appreciate the help of my sales contact , Alex, as well. He was most helpful in in the purchasing process. I still refer business their way. After all, I have kycero standing behind the product, shipping a new one soon...I hope:)
Thank you for your help and comments re the problem and the site.
Alan (AD4HE)
Alan

Torrey · Site Admin Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 230 Location: USA

I am the tech that "Dynamo" spoke to yesterday.

The reason I seemed hesitant to send a Kyocera Advanced Warranty Replacement request was because of the skewed speed test results we were seeing when the USB720 was directly connected to the laptop. You were getting numerous benchmarks in the 4000 - 7000Kbps upload range, and since this is not theoretically possible with EVDO Rev A, I could not be 100% sure that the speed test results were accurate.

Kyocera expects that we have a proven reason why a product is not working before we submit a replacement request. Kyocera will not just send out a replacement blindly without first exhausting all efforts in trying to resolve the issue, which is what I did over 2 phone calls totaling in about 90 minutes and several length emails. After a lot of trouble shooting I was able to determine that there was indeed an issue with his KR1, and I gladly sent a request to Kyocera for a new replacement KR1 to be sent to the customer.

Dynamo1181 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Torrey,
Your post is accurate and I appreciate your help thru the matter. Now if these things werent so popular, I wouldnt be on back order!
Thank you again.
Alan

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

This is exactly what I meant when I said "Must be something more to the story". The rather important part about the skewed speedtests in the 4000 to 7000kbps range was never mentioned in the OP. Thanks for the info Torrey. All I knew was that passing the buck didn't really sound like SOP for 3GStore.

EDIT: Good luck Dynamo. Maybe you're backorder situation won't be too long of a wait. These things are indeed rather popular! Smile

Torrey · Site Admin Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 230 Location: USA

Clue · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject:

I'm experiencing pretty much the same thing with a Sprint Pantech PX-500 in a KR1 vs. in the laptop directly.

In the laptop I get about 1.3M down and about 500k up. When in the KR1 it drops to about 500k down and under 100k up. Is there anything in the KR1 settings to force EVDO Rev. A connection vs. 1xRTT? I set the card that way in the laptop before putting in the KR1 so that mode should still be in effect on the card once put in to the KR1, correct?

The laptop and the KR1 are sitting in the same location when testing. I don't get a very strong connection where I am. When in the laptop its around -97dbm. Is there signal strength indication beyond the green bar in the KR1 diagnostic?

Anyhelp is appreciated.

Clue · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:29 pm Post subject:

Follow up: Should my Sprint account username and password be filled out on the WAN (EVDO) page in the KR1 settings? I thought that info is saved in the card when its "activated" in a laptop.

That page also asks for a server name and dial number (currently #777).

treefarmer · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

I too am seeing the same reduction in speed from using the USB720 directly connected to my computer, vs. hooked into the Kr1 router.

My signal strength is -87db to a Rev A capable tower near Palmyra, PA. M guess is that the Kr1 reverts to the National Access (1xRTT) network instead of the Rev A.

If so, I reiterate Clue's question above: Can you force the KR1 to connect only to the Rev A network?

Thanks.

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

No. There's no way to affect any of the card's setting via the KR1. The KR1 is a router and simply routs the signal the card gives it.

Also, if you're seeing the same speeds Clue is seeing, (500kbps down and 100kbps up) then you're seeing EVDO speeds and not 1xrtt since 1xrtt is limited to 144kbps up/down.

I wish I had an answer for you. I use the KR1 with a Sprint U720 and my speeds are the same in the router as they are in any laptop I've tried it in. I average high 1300's down and 400 to 600 kbps up.

The only suggestion I can think of is to contact whoever you bought the KR1 from and/or Kyocera and push for a resolution since there is quite obviously something wrong with your device. It's not a setting that's set wrong on either your card or your router. Obviously your router is defective.

Clue, to answer your last question,

editor1 · EVDO User Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 80

treefarmer · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

The speed slow down I was experiencing was due to the modem switching down to 1xRTT when the evdo signal got too low. By forcing the modem to stay in a HDR setting, the KR1 is matching the speeds I would get when I had the modem plugged directly in the computer.