KPC680 / KR1 troubles any ideas?

CarlT · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

Hey guys,
Newbie here, new to the EVDO world as well. Recently moved out to the sticks and lost access to fiber optic internet and this is the next best choice. I purchased the alltel KPC 680. It works great in my laptop. Took alot of work to get it to go, kyocera didn't include the proper drivers for the adapter on the installation CD. I now have purchased a KR1 and the KPC 680 will not work with it. The KR1 fires up great and installed fine, I'm able to change all the settings and even use the wireless, but it will not connect to the internet. I called D-link tech support they told me to update the firmware, which I did. It now has RK1010, supposedly updates for KPC 680, but it still won't dail and connect. The KPC680 just lights up to a solid blue. I'm kind of thinking it has something to do with the adapter. I looked around for a thread with common issues and haven't found any. Perhaps, someone thats been down this road knows the answer. Thanks in advance. Sorry about the length, just trying to be thorough.

Michael · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject:

There are other threads up here on this topic.

The problem is from the USB ExpressCard adapter that you are using - it is NOT compatible.

We have tested and many others have been using this ExpressCard to PCMCIA adapter with great success:

Novatel ExpressCard to PCMCIA Adapter - 3Gstore
_________________
EVDO :: EVDO News :: EVDO Antennas :: Buy Verizon :: Buy Sprint :: EVDO Amplifier

CarlT · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

Michael
I purchased the Adapter from the 3g store. The router now works and does connect to the internet. However, it keeps dumping phone calls and having to redial (taking about three minutes). During peak usage hours it seems to be the worst. The KPC 680 was much better when just inserted into the laptop instead of through a router. The whole setup seems to be a pile, I've never paid so much for something and felt so cheated. The card adapter that was recommended did work, 3g stores service was great. My problem is with the entire setup, dial up would be better. I'm thinking I should cut my loses and try a new direction for internet.

Thanks for your help any further advice will be considered,
Carl

ETA: Spelling

downtown · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Have you done side by side testing and tried a controlled experiment?

Alltel diddles with the systems all the time and it may not be your equipment. Service quality goes up and down in our area all the time.

Also, a very important variable is signal strength. An antenna might help you stay connected if you want to bother.

Otherwise, you can try Hughesnet satellite service for your internet.

Rural internet is not as steady and stable as DSL or cable. It pays to recognize you are paying a lot for an imperfect system.

For myself, I have both satellite and evdo. On any given day, one or the other can suck. Usually not at the same time fortunately.

CarlT · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

With only one EVDO card its hard to do side by side testing of the card in a laptop against the card in a router. However, when in the laptop I can actually get onto the web and browse without much hassle only needing to redial every hour or so. The router just continually dials loads 1/2 to 1 page before dumping. I had cutting edge, fast as you can load four videos on you tube at a time, fiber optic internet. Then I moved 4 miles north and can't even get DSL. DSL might be getting installed AT&T has ran all new wires and boxes around here so maybe.

Thanks for the advice,
Carl

Capt.Dan · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject:

Gee, I have this with a KR1 and A KPC-650 type O and I want to upgrade???
This just doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy somehow... Sad

karlyn · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:12 am Post subject:

Carl -- what is your signal strength when the card is in your laptop? I don't have the same card/router, but I've noticed that if the signal is weak the card functions in my laptop (with frequent drops) but not in the router.

lawyervon · EVDO Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 7

I now have the Alltel Kyocera KPC680 working with my MacBookPro running Mac OS X 10.5.1 (Leopard) as well as running on a Kyocera KR1 router using the USB adapter (and its funky two-pronged cable that came with the Alltel card). It took some serious jumping through hoops on the Mac and then on the router to make it all work, but everything's connecting and running fine.

I'm getting downloads of about 700kbps inside a building with no external antenna. I have an external antenna on order to see if I can boost that.

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

lawyervon · EVDO Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 7

Ha! Sorry. Just noticed that there aren't alot of resources out there for Mac users, especially using the new Leopard OS, so I just wanted to get the word out there that this can work.

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

It's all good. Glad it's all working for you. Oh, and by the way, welcome aboard! Very Happy

traumastudent · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

Hey Lawyervon-

Can you post directions on how to get the Alltel Kyocera 680 to work with Leopard?

Thanks

leebruce · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject: Alltel KPC680 Mac

Any chance lawyervon that you could share how you made that work?
Traumastudent have you figured it out?
This is a rough combination. It was worse; I was trying to use a DIR-450
but that just doesn't seem to get it with Alltel... Now I'ld be happy just to go direct. I've wasted 3 days on it now!

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

I can make it real easy for you.

CRADLEPOINT ROUTER

Any will do but with the MBR1000 you don't need the express card adapter. Just take it out of the box, plug it in, plug in your KPC680 and voila!

Buy it from 3GStore and get the best EVDO\Router support available.

BTW, might think about starting a new thread. This is a tad off topic for this one and won't get a lot of attention from those in the know Leopard wise.

leebruce · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject: Success!

Corporate Alltel wouldn't help me. They said they don't support Mac except for their usb card option and that they don't have any mac software but I could try installing the Windows drivers...! I went back to the store where I bought the card and they let me install Quick Link Mobile for Mac then and there. I had immediate success. Version 4 takes care of everything even though the QLM web site doesn't claim it. It's like they're in the frustration business out there. Why not make happy customers and more money too?
Anyway I can report success with an Intel Power Book running Leopard and using the KPC680 in the express card slot. Now to try that DIR-450 again...