hoochimagoo

While searching around for a way to connect my x51v to my PC (which doesn't have Wifi or BT) I came across this device. I searched the Aximsite and didn't find a post so I thought I'd share it. Sorry if it has been mentioned. The cost is around US$70-80 and I'm not sure if it's available yet.

802.11g Wireless & Bluetooth Combo USB Adapter
TBW-103UB

"The 54Mbps 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 & Bluetooth Combo Adapter simultaneously provides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, allowing you to concurrently link to Wi-Fi Internet hotspots and Bluetooth devices. Experience the power of downloading ring tones, iTunes, or digital pictures from a wireless Internet connection and transfer the same files seamlessly into your Bluetooth enabled phone. The external antenna can be adjusted easily to improve signal strength gain and transmission."

http://www.trendnet.com/en/products/TBW-103UB.htm
also: http://gadgets.engadget.com/search/?q=TBW-103UB
also a similar device came out last year: http://www.redferret.net/?p=5190

I am a newbie at the wireless connection game and firstly would like to thank Ikehiker for their detailed description of how to set it up.

My questions are:
1. Theoretically, with the above adaptor USB'd into my PC, can I connect my x51v to my PC?

2. If the answer is yes to 1, can I then connect to the internet with my x51v through my PC (which is wired to DSL modem)?

3. Also could this adaptor be then plugged into a printer and then I could print directly from the x51v using either wifi or BT without a PC?

I just know someone is going to write "why don't you buy it and find out for yourself ?" which I'm happy to do (when I can get one) as long as I know that it is "theoretically possible". Like I said I'm a newbie at this and any constructive advice/comments would be helpful.

mofologic

my laptop did't have bluetooth, so i picked up a 25 buck bluetooth dongle at wal mart - works fine with x50 and i can surf thru bluetooth connection via active sync with the connection left open. range is less than wifi but works fine around the apartment.

ikehiker

Originally Posted by hoochimagoo

I am a newbie at the wireless connection game and firstly would like to thank Ikehiker for their detailed description of how to set it up.

You're welcome :)

Quote:

My questions are: 1. Theoretically, with the above adaptor USB'd into my PC, can I connect my x51v to my PC?

I'd say the odds are pretty good using BT. There's a lot of discussion about BT on the X51 but there are some instructions on Aximsite for using BT for ActiveSync that I followed and it works fine (you may need to do a search to find the setup procedure). I'm assuming you can do more than AS but I've never bothered since I can network via WiFi. In terms of WiFi, make sure the adapter is capable of working on 802.11b.

Quote:

2. If the answer is yes to 1, can I then connect to the internet with my x51v through my PC (which is wired to DSL modem)?

Assuming the adapter will work as an 802.11b device, this should be possible but it involves setting up Internet Connection Sharing on the connected PC and connecting the X51 to the PC via ad-hoc. Many people have trouble getting this to work and I don't have a very strong record of helping people troubleshoot this type of connection.

Quote:

3. Also could this adaptor be then plugged into a printer and then I could print directly from the x51v using either wifi or BT without a PC?

I'm not familar with any printers that can function as a host to USB devices (thus, I don't think there's any way to have this adapter function when directly plugged into a printer).

__________________
-Ike-

hoochimagoo

Thank you both for your advice - very quick responses. It would seem from what Mofologic says then question 2 (connecting to the internet through my PC should be do-able via BT. I was/am hoping it would also be connectable via the wi-fi as - from your writings Ikehiker - it is quite a bit quicker. I've read that 802.11g is backwards compatible with the "b" so that shouldn't be an issue with this adaptor.

As for the printing problem, from what I've read BT is designed for removing the cable so it should theoretically be up to the task. I found the below products which seem to fit the bill for doing just that. They are two wireless printer adaptors. I'm looking for something like this so I can just plug it into (almost) any printer in the different locations I go so I can print stuff from the PDA and not have the need for a PC. Isn't that what having a fully functional PDA is all about - freedom?

http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=p...fe2bcd4780d7e1

or: http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=p...fe2bcd4780d7e1

ikehiker

The standards for 802.11g state that it can be compatible with 802.11b but there is nothing that says it must be. Check the specification for the adapter to make sure the software has a setting for mixed mode or B only or there will be no connection between it and the Axim.

As for printing, I misunderstood and thought you wanted to plug the same USB adapter into your printer. Certainly printer adapters like you linked to should allow you direct access from the PPC. One possible issue here is that I understand HP no longer has the PPC printer drivers available and they didn't make a version for WM5. It's not something I followed but you should check some of the WM5 threads on the subject to see what solutions people have come up with.

__________________
-Ike-

hoochimagoo

Ike, I obtained the below info from their site. Excuse my ignorance but does this answer the question on the 802.11b specification or do I still need to ask them?
Thanks

Wireless Module Technique 802.11b: CCK (11 and 5.5Mbps), DQPSK (2Mbps), DBPSK (1Mbps) 802.11g: OFDM
Frequency 2.412 ~ 2.484 GHz
Data Rate (auto fallback) 802.11b: 11Mbps, 5.5Mbps, 2Mbps, and 1Mbps
802.11g: 54Mbps, 48Mbps, 36Mbps, 24Mbps, 18Mbps, 12Mbps, 9Mbps and Mbps
Transmit Power 802.11b: 16dBm ± 2dBm; 802.11g: 13dBm ± 2dBm 802.11g: 15dBm @ 54Mbps

Receiving Sensitivity 802.11b: < -70dBm @PER < 10%, All Rate

802.11g: < -70dBm @PER < 8%, All Rate
Encryption 64/128/256-bit WEP, AES-CCM, and TKIP
Channels 1~11 (US), 1~13 (EU)