Coolest thing ever

[Goosemaster]

Hopefully this is not a repost

o what's a Stompbox, anyway?

These web pages are about a project I've been working on. Put briefly, it's a WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) router. In more human terms, it's a compact little box that gets data from cellular towers and re-shares it for multiple computers to use.

To use it all you do is plug it in to the cigarette lighter of a car (or a 12v supply when at home). It automatically boots up and links in to Verizon's "Broadband Access" service, turning itself into an access point. Turn on your laptop, join the network and voila -- you're on the net! It's just like using a hotspot (such as they have at Starbucks and airports), but it goes anywhere you car goes.

As long as I've got an always-on internet link in the car, why not make it do other things? As part of this project I've made it do live vehicle tracking via Google Maps, upload pictures from an on-board web cam and other tricks.

Why is it called a "StompBox"? I like to think of any nework I build as my own online "stomping grounds"... and I figured if I made a little box that would let me bring my stomping grounds with me wherever I went, I'd have to call it a Stomp Box. It's also not much bigger than one of those effect-pedals that electric-guitar players use, which are also called stomp boxes. Mostly it's just an amusing project-name. 🙂

source

 

[ElFenix]

i want one!

 

[Goosemaster]

According to this site you can appearantly squeeze 2Mbps out of EVDO at the current time. The site looks pretty sketchy though.

In addition, I do realize that EV-DO can scale to 20Mbps, but

1)realistically you are only going to get 150% dialup speeds with basic, and around 1Mbps in the highspeed areas....I lvie in full-coverage area 😀
2) If even these AMD Geode based box havebandwidth monitoring, I'm sure Verizon has bandwidth monitoring like you've never seen.
3) i don't doubt that verizon will NOT pause when they sue your ass for violationg the ToS if that is the case
4) a wireless-oriented soekris box with all the bells and whistles will cost $400+ + monthy $60 for the service plus this websites crazy claims @ $300.

That said, I spend aroung $350 for my soekris 4801+1641 and I WUV it. I can't wait to buy a radio...

 

[acemcmac]

one problem. Who on earth wants to pay cellular data transfer rates? 😕

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
one problem. Who on earth wants to pay cellular data transfer rates? 😕

Imagine this:


Google crashes. Stocks go from $423 to $87 overnight.

You are in a tent in the West Virginia Hills having unscrupulous sex with your DD of a cousin.
You hear Bloomberg yelling at you from your laptop bag next to the campfire.
You find out that this sh!t is going down. Tonight. Now.


For the chance to keep my one and only pair of pants (now sh!t-stained of course), I would damn well remain satisfied as I fought off other ip addresses at blazing v.90 speeds for a chance to take care of my business at scottrader....

God forbid of course:laugh:

 

[NeoPTLD]

And how much does the subscription to Verizon's broadband access cost?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
And how much does the subscription to Verizon's broadband access cost?

Only $60😎

 

[everman]

I don't really see much use for a mobile wifi access point via evdo when you can just plug an evdo card into your laptop, unless you have a lot of people that need access...

 

[sygyzy]

Old news. Remember, this is only cool for people leeching off you. If you are running the box, YOU have to have a valid EVDO account and that is not cheap.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Old news. Remember, this is only cool for people leeching off you. If you are running the box, YOU have to have a valid EVDO account and that is not cheap.

yeah....still cool as hell

 

[sygyzy]

Who would you share it with? Would you really drive around and be like "Woohoo everyone, free internet!" Then when you park and shut off your car, it's over.

 

[Gnurb]

The kyocera KR1 router that does this is coming out for $200 soon.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Gnurb
The kyocera KR1 router that does this is coming out for $200 soon.

yeah...it definitely looks sweet😀

I know some people without DSL or cable access but with EVDO access that would love this

 

So I take it you need a Verizon account for this?

 

[Dubb]

could you configure a bluetooth equipped phone to do the same thing minus the $60 a month fee? I can get internet v710->laptop just using minutes through verizon, and it connects at 115k in most places....sounds like the same thing they're charging $60 a month for.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Dubb
could you configure a bluetooth equipped phone to do the same thing minus the $60 a month fee? I can get internet v710->laptop just using minutes through verizon, and it connects at 115k in most places....sounds like the same thing they're charging $60 a month for.

the v710 only gets national access, which is the 115k. the verizon evdo broadband gets in the 400 to 600kb / sec range. which is actually pretty decent access.

i have the audiovox pda phone from verizon with the unlimited plan, i can use it as a modem for my laptop giving me 400 to 600 kb/s almost anywhere in nj/pa/ny areas.

of course because it's a pda plan i only pay $40 / month.