CDMA (again)

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 14:08

ThreadID: 11071 Views:2304 Replies:8 FollowUps:22

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Brad

I'm interested in a new CDMA phone, posts on this forum lead me to believe that the range is good if you patch them to a 6dB aerial or similar.
I know the Nokia 6385 would accept a patch lead, but I'm led to believe the Nokia 2280 will not - also the 6385 has now been superseeded by the 2280 ( and i can't locate a new 6385).
Does anyone know which of the latest CDMA handpieces will easily accept a patch lead (or have a RF port), or altternatively know of a dealer who may still be selling 6385s.
Many thanks,
Brad.

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Reply By: The Publican - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 14:48

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 14:48

If you get a Nokia CDMA phone you will have minimum range and trouble.
Phone shops in this area will not sell Nokia CDMA phones as they get returned for lack of reception and failure.
Get a Korean phone LG Samsung Kyocera

AnswerID: 49440

Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 15:36

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 15:36

Thanks Publican.
i know other posts have had reservations about Nokias - whilst other find them okay.
Regards,
Brad

FollowupID: 311250

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 16:21

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 16:21

I have had both kyocera and nokia and had no trouble with either.

All the best
Eric

www.capeyorkconnections.com.au

FollowupID: 311253

Follow Up By: Member - Slim - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 16:46

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 16:46

I have been using CDMA now for about 3 years. As the system has grown, Analogue to CDMA, the reception has improved markedly.
I think you will find that although NOKIA CDMA phones had a few problems early on, these have been overcome with software upgrades. I am told by those using them that they are now quite good. My phone is a Kyocera which has been good. You will always get a stronger signal from a car kit but unfortunately the price of some kits is over the top. Check the cost of an OE kit for your choice of phone before making your decision.

Regards,

Slim.

FollowupID: 311255

Follow Up By: Rick Blaine - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:07

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:07

I have a Samsung & my wife has a Kyocera... the Kyocera seems to have better range as a standalone. We are going to get a car kit for 1 of them.... when we can find someon whos sells them at a sensible price.

FollowupID: 311256

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:42

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:42

my Nokia 638 is the ducks guts, had problems that were fixed by software upgrade. Works where other CDMA phones do not

two examples, all over the upper Noosa River and North West Island.

standing next to people on both occasions with latest kyocera who could not make a call, my nokia would ring in my pocket, or laying flat in the console of the boat.

This is from an owner and user, so my opinion should be worth something...

FollowupID: 311260

Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:58

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:58

Thanks Dave,
If I can find a 6385 in the next few days I will buy it - otherwise i'll just get a cheapie LG and see how it goes for a while.
How does CDMA work on Fraser Is ??
I remember we talked about campertrailers and tyre pressures on Fraser Is a while back - was watching ET's fishing on the telly last night and the recommendation (from ? 4wd council or something ??) was that you leave your tyres fully inflated when you hit the beach !!!!
:-)))))))
Couldn't believe it - it didn't get thru to his website but I swear thats what was said on prime time television !!
What do you think ??
Brad.

FollowupID: 311264

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:13

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:13

I'd say that they are scared of being sued by some idiot who lets their tyres down and tries to turn sharply, rolls the tyre of the rim and then rolls their truck.

Around fraser reception on my phone (in H/free with GME 6db aerial)
all the way up the west coast to bogimbah crk Moon Point (that's as far as I've gone)
Up east coast to around Maheno/cathedral
On top of indian head (obviously not in truck)/champagne pools
Everywhere north of Indian Head (there is a tower at Orchid Beach)
Lakes Birrabeen, McKenzie, Garrawongera (sometimes at Boomanjin)
All the East coast townships (sometimes patchy at Cathedral and Happy Valley, haven't tried dundaburra)

And various other times when you hit a bit of high ground.

You might find that you can get a second hand 6385 from people who didn't hear about the software upgrade and want to get rid of it, (or who listen to unfounded speculatory advice).

Are you still planning the trip??

FollowupID: 311266

Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:28

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:28

Is the tower at Orchid just CDMA or GSM as well ??
As for the trip....definitely... but unfortunately the way things have turned out prob not till next year as I'm very busy at work this year.
We've spent the last 3 Easters on Fraser Is., (without a campertrailer) so it will be a bit sad this year, but hopefully make up for it next Easter / school hols when I should be able to organise a 2 week trip ( with my beautiful Ultimate :-)).
While I've got you , would you tow the CT up to the top...I've never been there around the Ngala rocks but it sounds scary :-(( Have the V8 LC with lockers )
Regards,
Brad.

FollowupID: 311269

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:57

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:57

The tower at Orchid is CDMA only.

On australia day w/e we drove thru the hgkala bypass without any trouble

2 weeks lateri had to go thru in 2nd low flat out (heading north) and even harder going south (the other three cars inour group and a couple in a LC 100 didn't get more than 200 meters thru the 5-600met bypass)

I coudn't believe the difference in only a couple of weeks

I, personally, wouldn't take a CT thru there, but then I've never tried.

Cheers

FollowupID: 311270

Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 20:29

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 20:29

Thanks.

FollowupID: 311273

Follow Up By: Andy - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 09:28

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 09:28

Dave,

you mentioned a software upgrade for your Nokia 6385 cdma.
Whay problems were you having and where did you get the software.

thanks in anticipation

Andrew

FollowupID: 311295

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 13:20

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 13:20

It had very poor reception and would not place a call even with 3 or 4 bars.

I rang the Telstra shop that I brought it from after initially getting the run around from Telstra on the phone, the shop asked me to bring it in, they took it away, had the software fix done, and I had it back in 7 days, (they even gave me a replacement phone)

FollowupID: 311305

Follow Up By: Andy - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 13:56

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 13:56

Dave,

thanks for the hint. Mine is with Orange. (Not sure whether that is a good thing yet). They reckon they can give problems under a metal roof. Not much good when I am in the office. I will ask if they also can do a software upgrade.
Thanks for your help

andrew

FollowupID: 311309

Reply By: Peter - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:06

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:06

The question was
"Does anyone know which of the latest CDMA handpieces will easily accept a patch lead (or have a RF port), "

Peter

AnswerID: 49448

Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:18

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:18

Thanks Peter,
Yes thats the info I am after, but i suspect that no one really knows the answer......(when I try Dick Smith, jaycar etc. the answer is "oh yes, thats really easy to do, but I don't sell the part myself and I'm not sure who does !!).
I think the way to go will be to buy one that offers a car kit as an option - implying that there is an external connection for the aerial - and than shop around for someone who sells a patch lead. Car kits seem to cost more than the phone and only seem to have a so-so aerial.
Regards,
brad.

FollowupID: 311257

Reply By: Glenno - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:25

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 17:25

If you have a look on the Nokia web site there are a few new CDMAmodels scheduled to be released at the end of April (so the rumor says).

Nokia 6225

The link above is for the 6225 which I am waiting for. It is built on the 6200 GSM platform, which is a good business phone with all of the featues most require.

AnswerID: 49450

Reply By: Member - Bob L - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:11

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:11

Brad.
Cannot recommend any current CDMA which will take a patch lead as very few phones have rf connections and rely on a a capacitive coupling in car kit cradle.

The Kyocera 3245 (Soon to be discontinued ) has a RF port and MAY take a patch lead but be warned it is not designed for such a lead and could easily disable both phone and warranty.

The new Nokia 6225 will not have a RF socket and is very similar to its GSM brother.
We have sold out of Nokia 6385's which is a pity because they have just about ironed out all the software bugs that have plagued this model.( Ive seen patch leads rip the RF connector right off this model too).

The most reliable CDMA phone has been the Kyocera 3245 which is $499 plus a h/f kit at $299.
Best antenna a RFI cd1795 at 6.5 db. (Australian made f/glass broomstick in black or white).

As thisd is my line of work I,s be pleased to answer any further questions.

Cheers
Bob L

AnswerID: 49451

Follow Up By: macca - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 20:50

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 20:50

Bob,
I have been running my Kyocera 2235 with a patch lead and RFI 6.5 db antenna since the model was released. I have nothing but praise for the reception I have been able to get around the country. So good That I don't have any intention of replacing it. So as far as Kyocera not being able to take a patch lead is a bit of a mischief.

FollowupID: 311277

Reply By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:44

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:44

Thanks Bob L,
You have answered my question comprehensively.
I'm inclined to get an LG with an extendable antenna (which is quite a cheap option) and worry about a patch lead later.
Thanks,
Brad.

AnswerID: 49452

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:52

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 18:52

don't they all have extendable antennas???

FollowupID: 311263

Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:01

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:01

NO ! - most of the ones offerred now as part of a deal have 10 million colours, ringtone downloads, games, WAP, ETC.ETC.ETC.
....but try and find out anything like the aerial or battery performance...and the salesman loses interest very quickly !!
Regards,
Brad.

FollowupID: 311265

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:16

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 19:16

I sent an email to Ericsson's tech dept when they became sony ericson and went away from phones and started making toys. I had had three Ericcson GSMs that were always very good, I wouldn't go near them now, might as well buy a playststion!

their response was pretty bland!

FollowupID: 311267

Reply By: macca - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 20:59

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 20:59

Brad,
Check this web site out and give Steve a call . He is a guru on all things phones and helped me out when I was looking at CDMA and patch leads
http://www.steve.com.au

AnswerID: 49457

Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 21:13

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 21:13

Cool....this is great...love the comments on wet phones,
Thanks,
Brad

FollowupID: 311280

Reply By: phil - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 12:07

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 12:07

WES Components have patch leads and combined patch lead + car charger for most phones. About $14 for the combined. Also magnetic mount 4.5db antennas for around the same price.
I have both for my Hyundai Gulliver CDMA phone and they work well.

wescomponents.com

AnswerID: 49511

Follow Up By: Brad - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 17:29

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 17:29

Thanks Phil

FollowupID: 311328

Reply By: Member - Bob L - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 23:18

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 23:18

Brad, This is in reply to macca's comments re patch leads. By the way most CDMA phones have extendable antenna's and none seem to be very effective.. Best signal is outside the vehicle on a hilltop if necessary.

Macca,
Kyocera do not make a patch lead for the QCP3245/2235 and do not recommend use of same.
OK if you are carefull these phones are probably the best available but any damage will not be covered under warranty. (DON"T TWIST CONNECTOR WHEN REMOVING)

PS
If your Kyocera looses signal when your patch is disconnected (and is out of warranty) it will probablty be caused by dust inside the antenna socket.
Flush out with isapropyl alcohol or contact cleaner and move centre pin to clean contacts. any surplus liquid will evaporate.(Remove battery first just to be safe).

No "mischief" intended , just facts.
Cheers
Bob L

AnswerID: 49615

Follow Up By: John from River City 4WD Club Inc. - Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004 at 18:15

Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004 at 18:15

Bob L
So where do I get a patch lead for my 3245 if I choose to take the risks you mention? Couldn't find any listed on the www.steve or wescomponents sites mentioned. Mind you, I gave up trying to find patch leads on the weswhatever site. I'm getting a bit tired of making phone calls to people who say you have to use a car kit.
John

FollowupID: 311468

Follow Up By: Richard & Leonie - Friday, Mar 12, 2004 at 23:00

Friday, Mar 12, 2004 at 23:00

I have a 3245. Why provide a connection on the back of the phone for the patch lead if using one will void the warranty? My local Telstra shop has just supplied me with an arial and have ordered a patch lead for me. They do not seem to be concerned. I cannot find anywhere in the documentation with the phone or on their web site that says it is a problem. Where do you get your info from about the warranty?

FollowupID: 311952