Booster antenna connection to Kyocera KPC 650

GaryBushman · EVDO Newbie Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

I AM COMPLETLY CONFUSED.

Before considering buying the Booster Antenna for Kyocera KPC 650 I was trying to figure out which of the two ports to use with an external antenna so I wrote to Kyocera. (their manual said nothing about the second port)

Their reply:

Scott · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:32 am Post subject:

Hi,

We've had hundreds of customers plug into the right port on the Kyocera KPC650 (facing end of card, most nearest the flip-up antenna base, one with white insulator). So far NO voided warranties. Very Happy

(NOTE: if you DO damage EITHER port, by shearing/lifting the tiny connector off of the circuit board, Kyocera will consider this misuse/abuse/neglect and NOT honor you warranty)

Some explanation (and theorizing):

The left/black port only increases receive power.

The right/white port increases both receive and transmit power.

Testing whether either little port has a switch to defeat the on-board antennas is sort of tough. I do know that KPC650s with damaged ports (either side, sheared/lifted off circuit board) have the net effect of disabling the on-board antennas. So either the ports are in series OR they both have defeat switches.

What we do know is this:

Plug into the left/black port and receive power is increased and typically so are download speeds. Yet have a look at upload speeds. In fact, if you are really signal challenged, you may not even be able to authenticate on the network.

Now plug into the right/white port. Typically the same receive power and download speeds, BUT now your upload speed is usually increased (and you can 'log on' in more remote areas).

I take that to infer that TRANSMIT power is increased. Note that the signal indicator in your VZAccess Manager interface (either the 'bars' or the RSSI dBm level indicator found on the Windows version) gives you a reading of RECEIVE power, not transmit power.

The ports are each keyed, differently in fact: one on the top-left, one on the top-right. Adapter cables sold by Kyocera are (were?) keyed to only fit in the left/black port. You *could* force the connector into the right/white port, but may eventually break the internal connector. Let's just say that a razorblade is a tool that can help here, wink-wink, nudge-nudge (cut the corner off the offending connector).

Why would Kyocera tell you NOT to use the port that boosts transmit power?

One theory is that because the FCC has strict limits on SAR and transmit power allowed by consumer radio devices, Kyocera is covering their *ss by telling you to attach to a port that only increases RECEIVE power. Hardly any big conspiracy.

GaryBushman · EVDO Newbie Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

Thank you Scott for the speedy reply.

I suspected I was getting people at Kyocera-Wireless Technical Support who did not know the "whole story" because I received 2 distinctly different answers. I guess that's what they get for farming out their support to companies who hire low paid "read it from the screen but don't actually expect them to know what they are even talking about help"

Verizon was worse. They simply said "duh we don't know. Ask Kyocera"

Where as the resellers of external antennas all seem to be on the same page.

This is not the first time a manufacturers "Technical Support" has sent me confusing answers Confused

By the way I love the forum, lots of great info here.

doggie · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 24

Hello. I have had a multitude of cards over the years and just ordered a Kyocera 650. I will want to use an external antenna and I also have a multitude of those along with several adapters.
My question is, what type of port is it? Do I need "THE Special" proprietary adapter made for this card? I have a couple adapters that worked with Sierra cards.
Any help will be appreciated.

uruiamme · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject: KPC650 pigtail adapter

josesillo · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

hello great people from the evdo forums :lol: , i live in venezuela, and i use a KPC650, i've been looking for an external antenna for my aircard but haven't found it, is there a way to have it homemade, or is there any other antenna that would fit in my card, appreciate any replies, thanx