For those laptop and ultra-portable PC owners who are currently using or thinking about using EV-DO, the Kyocera KR-1 EV-DO router is a suitable solution that will keep you connected to the Internet even away from hotspots.

The price of outfitting your KR-1, along with the appropriate wireless card for your machine and the carrier you selected, usually runs somewhere above $300. You insert the wireless card into the back of the KR-1 and it becomes an instant WiFi Hotspot and router for your LAN. For the entire month of September Kyocera will be selling the KR-1 EV-DO router with a $50 mail in rebate.

This little price reduction makes justifying the purchase of EV-DO service and equipment a little easier. Plus, you can add the $50 you saved on the cost of the router on the monthly service fees you'll be charged for the service. As a current EV-DO subscriber, and KR-1 user I can attest to the convenience it provides when traveling.

If you are a student or currently in a job that requires you to bring a computer with you into the field, a solution like the KR-1 provides unrivaled freedom, and the $50 rebate only sweetens the pot!

As we have reported in the past, the ability for rescue personnel to maintain open lines of communication throughout a disaster  relief effort is key to the success of the rescue effort. IP networks are uniquely suited for maintaining high traffic, multiple media format communications during a disaster.

Because they can be made to be scalable, modular, standardized, easily deployed and maintained in the field and are efficient at delivering high volume multi-channel traffic, IP networks are more suitable and provide the best results in chaotic disaster situations. While IP networks are a great solution, they are vulnerable to damage from multiple sources found in and around typical disaster relief areas and must be beefed up or "ruggedized" in order to meet the demands of the job.

Entree Wireless (the company that created the Mobile Communications System) is now offering the Rugged Warrior battery pack as a solo unit through the website EV-DO Info. The entire rescue communications kit contains video equipment, WiFi radio and battery, built in camera with a light, an external search camera, a video terminal and is aimed at established rescue units instead of volunteer rescue units or home users.

The rugged powerpack, now being offered alone, is less expensive and functions as battery power for the Kyocera KR1 router in the field. As a person who travels quite a bit and depends on the Kyocera KR1 EV-DO router to keep me connected to the Internet for completing posts and turning in homework, this product would help me tremendously.

However, with most laptop batteries putting out only a mere few hours of juice (my Dell E1705 puts out 1.5 hours, 2 at best), the remaining problem is finding power in the field for the laptop that will last as long as the Rugged Powerpack!

     

These USB dongles from Franklin Wireless can provide you with access to the Internet, at usable speeds, anywhere you can get a cell phone signal. The CCU 550 and the CDU 550 both allow the user to connect to an EV-DO network. Using these dongles makes it unnecessary to buy a PC card or an EV-DO router.

Even though I personally use a Kyocera KR1 EV-DO router with a PC card, I would gladly switch over to using one of these tiny things. Their tiny size alone makes them infinitely more portable than any of the other options. The dongles are even more convenient than PC cards, in terms of size.

With a single USB port you can maintain a wireless connection to the Internet. Sadly, there is currently no interest being shown by either of the major EV-DO providers in the US to market the device and there are no other publicly known plans to make the products available in the US.