Nokia Car Kit Technical Assistance Required - Very Detailed/Complicated Problem
Since this is a mammoth post, tech details and story, a reward will be offered for help that directly resolves my problem. (nature of reward is undecided as yet)
Hey
I'm back from my hiatus, I'm sure many people were worried and perhaps a search party or two were organised. You can all relax and finally get a good nights sleep
I have a Nokia N70. I have purchased the Nokia CK-7W car kit (advanced wireless car kit). I'm having the kit fitted along with alot of other accessories in the next week or two at the latest. I really want to get this done all at once, rather than have to go back a second time. I've searched for 1 to 2 weeks now on the net (world-wide) and locally in NZ, without any real luck/help. Here's my dilemma:
The main problem is that Nokia in their wisdom decided to release a top level, business orientated mobile (N70) without full support for certain features. The Nokia 6680 (the previous model on which the design of the N70 was based) has a specific cradle (phone holder) which works with the CK-7W car kit. That is the CR-27 cradle. The N70 does connect/fit with this cradle, but you have to attach a sticky backing to the cradle, and align it carefully when inserting the phone. Even with this, it is prone to disconnecting from the data port in random situations (bad roads, etc)
That CK-7W kit can be connected in two ways. Firstly the Bluetooth connection, which functions perfectly with all the features working as intended. This method I have no problem with and most likely will be the method I end up using. With this option, you can keep your phone in the glovebox, briefcase, boot, etc... You can also use phone functions, but you need to pick up the phone (I only have 1 arm now)
Second method, is the cradle/wired method. The only difference between the two is that the phone fits into the cradle in the second option, where it connects on to the data port at the bottom of the cradle. That port on the cradle connects to the CA-27 data cable of the CK-7W car kit. The benefit of connecting this way, is that your phone is visible when driving (easily see who's calling, make calls, etc...), the cable also supplies power (charging your phone), and the BIG benefit, connecting an external aerial to the cradle to boost your signal strength in remote areas.
Since Nokia don't make a cradle, I finally found a nice one online in the UK which I have just ordered (the SECOND item, bottom of the page at http://shop.dashmount.co.uk/installa...n70holders.asp, the 39.95 pound item).
That will give me full functionality (car kit features and charging), EXCEPT, that cradle doesn't come with a connection for an external aerial. The extra aerial works by connecting a suitable aerial with an antenna coupler. Then you fit the antenna coupler on to the cradle. When you put your mobile into the cradle the part of your phone that houses the aerial circuitry touches the antenna coupler. The signal boost is received through electro conductive magnetism, as I understand it. With the design of the cradle I'm getting (in the link above), it should be really easy to neatly attach the antenna coupler, which would act as a back rest / plate for my N70. The aerial sits in the back of the top of the phone.
With the carkit, I also bought an external antenna just in case, which is the correct part for the CR-27 cradle, for the previous model Nokia 6680. That aerials details are: Premium on-glass GSM Antenna BMIS-ANT-STD
with the following on the actual plastic packaging: Part No GC923-4MFL
I researched then ordered a coupler and antenna from the best company I could find online (www.expansys.com.au), but they replied saying that they had no experience with this setup, and weren't sure if it would work. They suggested another combination of: Nokia AXF-15S Antenna Coupler (http://www.expansys.com.au/product.asp?code=AXF-15S) and Skymasts DBS1 Cellular Windscreen Antenna (http://www.expansys.com.au/product.asp?code=DBS1). I had those on order, but they replied again saying they don't have any knowledge over compatibility of this setup, and thus cancelled my order (which is fair enough, they're trying to prevent me wasting my money and trying to return the order I guess). I even said that I was willing to take the risk (they aren't that expensive, about $78 for antenna and coupler), but by then they were getting pretty annoyed with me (I assume it's because the research is taking up their time).
Does anyone have any idea how I could resolve my frustrating problem of attaching an external aerial (I presume it's always a combination of aerial and coupler) to the N70 cradle I ordered? Otherwise any comments, advice, experiences or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
David...
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Originally Posted by Fishslayer
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