Mobile WiFi hotspot: the StompBox
By Barb Dybwad 
posted Apr 21st 2005 7:00AM
posted Apr 21st 2005 7:00AM
Using an embedded Linux PC and Verizon's 1xRTT/EV-DO service, Tor Amundson cooked up a mobile 3G/WiFi router powered by a car cigarette lighter. The mobile hotspot, aka the StompBox, automatically boots up and establishes a link to Verizon's EV-DO, turning itself into an always-on internet link in the car. He's also posted a how-to guide on how to set one up for yourself — it beats turning your next roadtrip into a national Starbucks/Kinko's tour.
I read about this last night and subsequently had a very very sexy dream about this. iwantitrightnow!
I would like this but I am wonder why he did not use a regular PC Card based WiFi adapter instead of a USB 2.0 PC Card and a USB WiFi Adapter?
My thought on the USB adaptor is that it leaves growth potential for other devices OR it could be that the reception is poor with the card in the dashboard and this gets it in a more ideal location?
Actually just read on the website. It is indeed so he can plug other devices in.
Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't it be a whole lot easier to buy an older laptop that has either built in WiFi or a WiFi option with a mini PCI card? Then you just pop in your EVDO card, set-up an access point with your built-in WiFi and you're all set. Plus you have the added bennefit of a full OS and many more port options.
The concept is now new, BTW; the commercial versions exists. Kyocera announced the "KR1" EV-DO wi-fi router last month:
http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/news/20050314_4.htm
What's the point?
Can't you just plug the EV-DO card into your laptop?
Gorkon: the WiFi card is a MiniPCI card. The only thing on the USB chain is the GPS (for now). You can yank the USB card and it'll still be an access point. WiFi USB is pretty poor quality and none of them have external antennas so I didn't want to use one.
Alex: If you have an old laptop, then yes, it's definitely easier! This is for folks who didn't have an old laptop to do it with and wanted something cheap, hardwarewise. It's also embedded, so no moving parts (lasts longer) and you can stop/start the power any time with no real penalties.
Rich: Yes, the idea is far from new. There are about six out on the market I know of. Mostly I just wanted to make my own. It turned out to be far cheaper than any of the commercial solutions. :)
Jason: If you don't get the point, no worries. Some of us just want to have fun hardware hacking. The card works in my laptop too and I use it that way sometimes. That's just a lot less fun -- and less convenient to share with others (and with in-car existing devices).
This was slashdotted yesterday and i was following it there. I think this was an awesome idea. I would use it as an Access Point. multiple users...
lets see this trick done with a EVDO HSDPA Dual Bonded Router! Heck you could even play xbox while driving! i may just do that... WAIT!... if anyone wants to do this one... i'll lone you a router... its the one at http://wirelessinternetcoverage.com lemme know..
It's not a new idea. Mobile cellular routers with far more capability than an aircard are readily available and being used as mobile hotspots. It works reliably on Sprint and Verizon on a national basis. EVDO is not deployed widely enough, nor is the upload speed worth messing with. EVDO revA, when it becomes available, will be a lot more interesting. The InternetInMotion Router even does audio streaming so there's lots more stations than XM and Sirius.
It's not a new idea. Mobile cellular routers with far more capability than an aircard are readily available and being used as mobile hotspots. It works reliably on Sprint and Verizon on a national basis. EVDO is not deployed widely enough, nor is the upload speed worth messing with. EVDO revA, when it becomes available, will be a lot more interesting. The InternetInMotion Router even does audio streaming so there's lots more stations than XM and Sirius.