KR1 will not work with USB720 modem

dj928 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 11

I am having serious problems with the KR1 and USB720 together. When I use the modem in my laptop, I have no problems. When I put it into the KR1 router, it freezes up every few minutes. I have to power down the router to fix the problem - then it freezes again. When this occurs, the signal strength and IP address go down to zero when I check the status page. I am unable to ping anything on the web. My connection to the router remains excellent.

Kyocera and Verizon both told me that the two are compatible with the latest firmware (which I did upgrade to). Kyocera replaced the modem with another one and the problem was exactly the same. Freezes when plugged into the router - works fine without it. I even bought an external antenna - which brings up the signal strength much higher when I use the modem with the router - than when I use the modem in the laptop alone.

So Kyocera replaced it a second time and the exact same problems occur. It doesn't look like the 2 are going to work for me and I am preparing to return it for a refund. Kyocera said there's nothing more they can do for me. Does anyone know of a router that will work with my U720 modem?

Thanks.

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1893

Only other router with USB port and works with USB720 is TopGlobal MB6800.

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1127

This unit is new to us but will connect via USB to a U720 or a phone. There's a thread going on about it.

evdoman · EVDO User Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 61

Im having similar problems with the Verizon EV720 (USB720) and the KR1. My speed is great, it works, but I get dropped (sometimes a red light, other times just a couple green lights temporarily going dark) an average of once every couple hours. Very annoying. I am using the latest firmware and doing everything else correctly. Is this a known issue? Is there a planned firmware upgrade or other workaround? Help!

PS> Signal strength is fine, RSSI of -73 or so, on average.

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

I don't think so. I use the Sprint U720 with the KR1 and it has NEVER been a problem. Disconnects maybe once a month if that.

dj928 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 11

I went to one other thread about it a while back but didn't get any information to assist me. What about DLink's DIR-450? Anyone tried that with the U720 modem? It's listed as compatible but so was the KR1. I contacted Novatel since my initial post and specifically asked if their U720 was compatible with any router (since it doesn't work with my KR1). The response:

<<We are working with a couple of router manufactures regarding integration with our USB modem but we are just in testing mode right now...>>

They also wrote that the routers were compatible with Novatel's PCMCIA cards. I've exhausted my tech options at Kyocera and Dlink - they just can't fix the problem.

Evdoman, you are having the same problems I am but I get them more frequently. Since I've gone through 3 KR1 routers and my modem works fine without the KR1, I think it's pretty clearly an issue between the 2 that they haven't resolved yet. If anyone hears of any fixes, please let me know. But, I plan to return my KR1 and either get a different modem or try a PCMCIA card.

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

I wonder if this is primarily showing up with Verizon users? (Not starting any VZW bashing here)

Seems like it's just not happening as much (if at all?) with Sprint's U720 as it is with Verizon's USB720. Although they're the same device per se you can count on there being some sort of hardware/firmware differences.

We certainly can NOT say the U720 is not compatible with the KR1 since there are so many people using this combo with no problems whatsoever. It appears to possibly be a conflict with certain cards maybe from certain carriers. It might be very interesting to know of any other common denominators between the cards that are having problems with the KR1 such as manufacturing date and any other identifying info. Maybe a bad batch type of thing?

I know several years ago I owned an ATM business when they first were privatized (for lack of a better word) and a certain manufacturer's machines all of a sudden started having a lot of varied and unrelated problems. After lots of hair pulling and gnashing of teeth we finally discovered there was a small bundle of wires where the wire tie had simply been pulled too tight. Whatever problem occurred on each individual machine was totally different and had to do with the position of the wires when it was installed.

Totally unrelated except to say it could possibly be something related to a specific certain group of devices since there are so many that have no problems. Just a "what if" kind of idea. Rolling Eyes

evdoman · EVDO User Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 61

Im doing some testing to make sure it isnt my modem (the USB720) itself. It isnt. I am getting blazing speeds (1200 down, 500 up) quite consistenly and have done so for over a day now by just plugging into my USB rather than using the KR1.

Im quite confident the issue is indeed what you noted... a problem limited to the Verizon/USB720/KR1 combo. Id like some other people with exactly the same combo (not Sprint) to confirm they have the same issue (brief drops/redials ranging from every 30 min to every few hours). If the picture clarifies, maybe the next firmware upgrade could fix this?

And to clarify, I have a strong tower signal, perfect Wifi connection to the KR1, the latest firmware for my KR1, and Ive tried two different KR1s over several days in various locations... always the same issue.

Indio192 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 19

I've been using this combo since May and have had absolutely no problems. I travel full time in a motorhome and have a new connection issue almost every day. Somedays the signal is strong and somedays marginal. In no case have I been getting disconnect issues. Sometimes, when the signal is very weak, it will disconnect, but that is rare. I just finished 3 months in Alaska with no problems (of course there were some places where there was no signal).

I have tried the USB720 in both the KR-1 and in my computer to see if there was any speed difference and have found none.

My experience with the KR-1 and USB720 has been great!!! I cannot say enough good things about these two (and I know what a bad combination is since I previously used the KR-1 with and original PC5220 and had all sorts of issues with both frequent disconnects and inability to use the wireless function of the KR-1).

I am using the 1010 firmware and the USB720 is connected to the KR-1 using the extension cable that came with the 720. The reason I use the extension cable is that it allows me to put the 720 in a better signal reception area than where the KR-1 is located. Also, it gives a greater separation between the two devices. The KR-1 has a history of being sensitive to radio interference from the EVDO cards, so, my thinking is the greater the separation the better.

I realize this response does not help solve your problem, but it does show that the KR-1/USB720 does work.

Jim

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

"I went to one other thread about it a while back but didn't get any information to assist me. What about DLink's DIR-450? Anyone tried that with the U720 modem? It's listed as compatible but so was the KR1."

The KR1 IS compatible with the U720.
I agree with BigDave that this may be a Verizon issue. I have the U720 and Sprint and KR1, with no problems. Very, very rarely, the KR1 will disconnect, but it is not a modem issue.

evdoman · EVDO User Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 61

Indio,

A couple of questions:

1) You mention that you are traveling a lot, not in one place for very long and that you have connection issues because of other reasons (weak signals sometimes). Is there any chance that you could be confusing the reasons for the drops and/or that your movement from one tower to another somehow prevents the issue others of us are having?

2) While it seems improbable, the fact you are using the extension cord could be related tot he issue. Maybe the entire drop is related to signal interference. Seems unlikely that just Verizon signals could cause this (not Sprint, where people can have the U720 plugged in and no problems), but I am going to test mine with the extension cable and see what happens just for the heck of it.

In any case, there is 100% certainty that Im having disconnect issues unrelated to signal or old firmware/software and others with the same setup as me are too, so we should keep pursuing this. Im glad you arent having the issues (or if you are, not noticing them), but in way I almost wish you were becasue it would make it easier to figure this out Smile

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1127

A few decades ago I purchased a refrigerated glass container of Clausen Pickles. When I opened it and ate one it was old, stale and inedible. I took it back to the small corner grocery store and got a refund. While I watched, the clerk resealed the container, he had tried one of the pickles, and then walked over to the refrigerated case and put it back on the shelf.

I purchased a TV from one of those volume stores and when I opened the box, it had been previously opened and the tuner was opened with no batteries, etc. I took it back. I am sure it was simply reasealed and put back into sales just as it was before I received it.

Same with RAM.

One of my customers who was selling those first platters, forget the name, paid me with one sitting on top of his computer. I had nothing but trouble with it. Later I was present when someone brought in a defective for exchange and he placed the defective unit on his computer.

Etc.

I see many boxes in stores with obvious retaping which makes me believe the item had been returned, perhaps as defective.

So, with absolutely no knowledge of such happening I present the question of whether or not defective units returned are simply being recycled and resold or exchanged. Which raises the issue of how would you know?

I suppose you could compare the serial numbers with a list of serial numbers and mfg dates. Perhaps find a way to check the registration for the serial number.

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

That's a good point jack. LOL at the subject line but a very good point. It's always amazed me how that works. Take something back and they repackage it and re-sell it to some other poor schlub and another and another until they manage to sell it to someone who just goes with it and doesn't bother to return it. I bet they have stats on how many transactions it takes before it sticks to the seller. And, in the meantime what are they out? Not a thing.

Also, to add to my situation I have always had my Sprint U720 plugged into the KR1 via the y-cable. My reason is simply that it's easier than trying to get my big fingers in there to plug it into such tight confines next to the power cord. Makes sense too because when plugged straight into the KR1 the U720 antenna is mighty close to the wireless antenna.

Maybe it would be good to post our experiences and be sure to add the pertinent info?

No Problems
Sprint U720
Y-cable
KR1
Win XP pro SP2
Atlanta HA 68.28.185.76 Atlanta, GA Area 5 (speedtest.net says in Houston)

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 451

Indio192 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 19

evdoman,

This is a most interesting mystery. I didn't mean to imply that you were mistaken about having a problem. You clearly are having a problem or you wouldn't be wasting your time posting on this forum.

An interesting thought occurred. Why not throw all your kit in the car and take a ride about and see if you have problems in areas some distance from your home turf. How far away, you say. No idea. Perhaps 50 miles???? Maybe its just a local tower problem. Also, you might post your location in hopes of finding someone else in your area who has a KR-1/720 system. You may even be where I am (Spokane, Wa. for the next day or so).

Jim