Hello Turbotroll3

Do a google search for pocket portable routers I found at least one link that has something you might be interested in.

http://www.wirelessnwifi.com/Cradlepoint

Also I'm not quite sure what you're doing , however I saw a mobile wireless router/high-speed cell connection, at Best Buy the last time I was there.

It was intended to be put in a vehicle and they claimed 150 foot minimum coverage area , if I'm remembering correctly. Was not too pricey and the wireless plan seemed to be in line with other providers.

PS. Can't find what I'm looking for in the online catalog at Best Buy however I have portable wireless routers that may be of interest to you.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=8134386300115395511&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=Mobile+router&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960

I picked up a Cradlepoint CTR350 off EBay for about $120. It seems to be doing the job! I'm using it now.

Thanks!
TT3

Glad to be of some help, keep me posted on how it's working out.

A friend of mine has a small Sprint cell phone dealer ship, I told him that he should look into putting these pocket routers in a display case, a lot of people do not know they exist, I only found out about them a couple a weeks before your original post, you never know what might be a hotselling item.

You could just make it simple and use the equipment you currently have. Setup ICS (Internet Connection Sharing).

Pretty simple once you have done it. Won't cost a penny.

sir, try the bandLuxe C100S PICMA adaptor along with it's router. it's a marvelous combination.

I think you got the arrangement reversed.?

from your ISP comes the router (broadband / wireless), then your machine with the USB air card modem acting as the proxy/server. from it, you can connect your wireless printer, and the other laptops using ICS.

Setup the laptop with the air card to do ICS.

Use a cable to attach that laptop to almost any wireless router which is set up as a wireless access point, directing all traffic through the original laptop.

YWROADRUNNER has a good answer for a single device that won't require a lot of configuration. The Cradlepoint routers (PHS300 and CTR350) are good plug 'n' play solution.

The other recommendations for ICS are great, too. It just means a few extra steps taken, but a few extra dollars saved.

Your best bet is to check with your wireless service provider. Depending on what you want and how you intend to use the device, there are options. the Cradlepoint is a good one if you intend to move your site around a lot. For example, setting up at trade shows or construction sites. On the other hand, if this is something that is going to be fairly static, you may want to look at other options from Cradlepoint, such as their MBR1000. Cisco makes a series of wireless routers as well using a 3G HWIC.

Novatel also makes a device called the MiFi. This is a small device -- smaller than a deck of cards -- with an embedded wireless module to connect to the Internet. It creates it's own little WiFi hotspot using that connection as backhaul. Cradlepoint makes a version of this as well.

Don't think there is any router out there that work with a USB modem. They're not even common 6 months ago. Telecom just start pushing sale on them.

You'll need to find one computer with the air card plugged in and run an internet server. Or ICS as other suggested. You then connect a wired/wireless router to the server and connect other computers to it. Not a simple plug and play setup and you need to keep the server running for all other to work.

Also check your bandwidth limit on your air card account. You don't want a $10k bill.

Right O on the 10K bill. What I am looking for is a system I can use to connect a few laptops and a printer into a simple network with a USB Verizon modem I already have. This is to be used for sharing internet and printer around the house and at temporary job sites. I also expect to use it for disaster relief and drills. If I catch anyone down loading videos using my air card and they will have a strong inclination to pay the bill themselves!

All of the major US carriers have a 5GB/month data limit on their plans -- even if it is advertised as "unlimited." How stringently that will be enforced depends on the carrier, how much you go over 5GB and how often you go over.

The reason they can all say "unlimited" is that for all practical purposes, you'll NEVER go over 5GB on handset. With a laptop and wireless modem, it is a different story. With multiple devices hooked to the card...

As to temporary job sites, you'll need to check coverage there. If you are roaming on another carrier's network, there will likely be additional charges and/or restrictions.

One other thing I just realized looking at your post -- if you want to use a wireless printer, there may be problems with some of the devices that have been recommended here -- including those by yours truly. The devices here are really not true routers -- they are more of a multiple-connection-enabling-device. What they will do is allow individual devices to connect to the Internet, but not necessarily to each other. So the ICS solution and a wireless router may be the best solution for you.

Checked it out -- I was wrong. You can set up wireless printers on devices like the Cradlepoint. They do in fact function as a wireless router.

Thanks,

I have found several of the cradlepoint units for various prices. No I will ponder who to risk my funds with and see what happens.

TT3

You may connect to a wireless printer server directly from a wireless enabled computer.

Solution Base Quickly set up a wireless print server with the Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer

Why aren't you using ICS?

ICS is great if you A. have lots of time to mess with it B. have a computer that is on 24/7 C. said computer never travels or connects otherwise and D. said computer happens to be located where the signal to the aircard is strong.

We live off the grid sort of, and use aircards for our primary internet at home (tried satellite, an expensive mistake). We have been using the MBR1000 for almost a year now, and more recently we use the CTR500 to travel. Both have performed perfectly, and the place Roadrunner linked (WirelessNWifi) is an excellent place to risk your dollars Troll. They have competitive pricing and have actually humans answer the phone, evenings and weekends even. The MBR1000 is particularly great, as it supports all of our wireless laptops and toys, has 4 LAN ports, and supports multiple aircards which broadens the pipe. We travel on different schedules so that works out splendidly for us.

The router allows us to locate the aircard in an office upstairs where the cell signal is strong, and supply ethernet to a desktop in the basement where signal is nada. Speed loss from sharing only happens as a rule if someone is gaming or d/l large files, and when we have more than one aircard plugged in it doesn't seem to happen at all.

HTH

I currently use a Cradlepoint ctr350 mobile router to connect my computers to the internet via Verizon USB 750 cell modem. I think you can connect up to 16 devices and it's onsale at the 3G store.

I have 2 PC's running XP, 1 running Vista, an Intel IMac and a laser Brother printer. Very easy to setup. Everthing is wireless except the printer it has an internal network card that connects directly to the router. There is only one network port on this router but Cradlepoint has other models with more ethernet connection to hard-wire devices.