How difficult is it to replace the antenna on my beloved 7135? Got a parts phone from e-bay and wanna take a crack at it. Need any special tools?
thanks.

Yes, to do it right you need the Kyocera antenna removal/installation tool. If you pull the antenna knob out of the case you'll see a phillips-head screw holding the antenna body in the case, with the antenna rod protruding through the center of the screw. It is because of the rod that you cannot use a regular phillips-head screw driver to remove the antenna body from the case. Using make-shift tools will likely damage either the screw, the antenna rod, or the case, and is not recommended. The proper tool is included when you buy an OEM replacement antenna from Kyocera.

You can't have an oem tool from a real brand - I always thought oem meant unbranded.

- 2 Bunny

oem - Original Equipment Manufacturer

you can only get a Kyocera oem part from Kyocera, anything else is called aftermarket.

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Oh - I see. Thanks for explaining that.

- 2 Bunny

Oh well, the e-bay seller threw in a lot of accessories with his 7135, so I'm still ahead. It wouldn't be worth it to buy another antenna just to get the tool - it's just the tip of the antenna that's broken anyway. Still works fine, it was just an asthetic thing. Thanks guys.

You're welcome!

- 2 Bunny

I caught the tip of my 7135 antenna (short tip version) on a chair and broke it off. I replaced it with the original long-tip version but did not like the longer tip. So I epoxied the short tip back on to the broken antenna and it has been working fine for months. The antenna tip has a coil of wire in it that is connected to the rest of the antenna. Some people claim that the short antenna has a shorted coil in the tip and doesn't work as well. I never noticed any difference. The coiled wire in the tip broke with the tip so I assume that it is no longer functioning with my epoxy fix. Again I have never noticed any difference.

The special tool provided with most replacement antennas does make the job much easier. And, if the retainer (it has nothing to do with a Phillips head screw) is very tight, it will probably be required. Otherwise, most any tool (small blade type screw driver, etc.) can be used to push against one of the four slots on the retainer and unscrew it that way.

Hi guys... I ended making a little antenna tool to tighten up my antenna when ever it got loose. I used a heavy paper clip shaped into a "U" and then bent about 1/8th inch of the tip ends down to form the tool.. It worked just fine.
Mark

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Good advice, mister macGuzzy.

- 2 Bunny

For a tool, I just carefully use an old stylus. Worked fine.
A comment - these antennas tended to work loose over time.
It is a good idea to check them from time to time to ensure they are seated properly.