next topic »

[on:]

I was thinking the best way to send data to a website may just be to make a modem connection (gsm) to my server and hook up a 56k modem and transfer the data over @ 9600 bps.  

I can't see a reason for using SMS (0.10 cents a message) or even obtaining an IP and using the wireless GSM for data transfer.  

I think it would be cheaper to make a GSM -> land-line modem connection using talk time.

I'm talking about sending about 1k per connection, 4 times an hour.

Does that make sense?

[Reply #1 on:]

Dunno where you are, or what network you're on, but where I live old-school data calls are mostly not supported at all (any more) and when they were, they were an expensive added feature.

[Reply #2 on:]

I'm in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

[Reply #3 on:]

As far as I know, Fido was the only carrier that ever had data calling, and they pulled the plug on that when they started selling GPRS -- long before they were swallowed by Rogers.  The service was called FidoData and I was a lucky subscriber.  It cost a fair bit extra on a flat rate basis and also used a different pool of minutes from your voice pool -- ones that also cost more.

Howard Forums is the place to follow up on that stuff.

[Reply #4 on:]

I suppose using Gsm to gt an ip is my only choice as SMS is not able to deliver to non-gsm systems.

[Reply #5 on:]

Arduino does not have an IP stack, and the GSM modem type thing is just going to give you raw GPRS. This might be a way forward: http://www.sics.se/~adam/uip/index.php/Main_Page  I'm sure there are people that would be interested in a GPRS implementation to go with this.

The Ethernet shields and the like are low-budget IP implementations tied directly to their ethernet hardware and would be of no real help in dealing with GPRS.  If you use an Ethernet shield, then you need a hub or router and an EVDO internet stick.  You could likely get this combo working, but it would cost a bit.

If you don't mind paying $75 per year or so to operate a handset, you can receive infinite SMS messages with a PetroCan SIM.  This is also the cheapest way I can find to send SMS at $25 per 250 for 4 months or $20 per 2500 per 30 days.  My volume is such that the $25/120 day approach is better.  I have an old Nokia handset wired to my UNIX computer and it sends and receives SMS, no problem.

Again, Howard Forums.

[Reply #6 on:]

How are you receiving the SMS?  I'd ultimately like to send the SMS to my own server (which is on Rackspace Cloud).  But do not have access to add a GSM modem to it.

[Reply #7 on:]

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9533 -- this thing has a rudimentary IP stack in it that would allow you to post arbitrary data to a web service without too much trouble.  It looks like RobotShop.ca could set you up with one.

[Reply #8 on:]

I have a GSM card, I am looking for a service to receive SMS from my device (that has Longitude/Latitude data) and put it in a database.

NM: I see the IP stack on the GSM.

[Reply #9 on:]

How are you receiving the SMS?

I have an old 6190 handset connected via a Nokia F-bus serial cable to a FreeBSD box in my basement.  I have a software daemon that sends and receives SMS using Justin Karneges Nokia 61xx SMS send/receive functions.  The SIM is a PetroCan PAYG one and the whole setup's been working reliably for 3 years.

In another thread I mentioned that I am working on getting a 3595 or 3395 working as a similar appliance to go at my cottage.  That's a work in progress.

[Reply #10 on:]

I have a Nokia 6103b handset, wonder if that would work?

[Reply #11 on:]

What type of cable is it, is it the USB one?  If so, could you send me the cable part number please?

Thanks
Mike

[Reply #12 on:]

Mine is a DAU-9P http://www.google.ca/#q=dau-9p
It is a serial cable for 61xx and 51xx phones from the
late 90s.  It's the kind of thing you'd look for on ebay.