K10 battery grip

Hi guys, I quite like using the portrait format for certain shots but have found the K10d quite awkward to use in this format - so purchased a genuine Pentax second hand battery grip with battery. It came with fitting instructions which I followed to the letter also charging the grip battery. But there are no instructions on using the grip and I thought that the camera could be turned on using the on/off button on the grip but have found in order for the grip to operate I have to switch on the cameras `on` button to operate the features on the battery grip which all appear to work in this setting. I would like to know if this is the correct way to operate the battery grip or am I doing something wrong. Any advice appreciated, thanks, dru.