sometimes you have to watch the "bars" (and i don't mean pubs) to see if you're in a good connection place. often on hill and mt. tops you can get better signals. sometimes the signal is blocked by geographic
obstacles. you may have to drive along watching the phone's screen to tell where is the best place to call. at my house i have to go several miles in either direction to find access. often it helps to step out side of a building to get better signal. it is hard to find a phone booth anymore, now that so many have cell phones.

(it is also difficult to find a number you can call to tell you what time it is as so many have computers and mobile devices that are on atomic clock or something close...you can[t even fool yourself by setting your clock a few minutes fast to help you get places on time since they set themselves...)

so you took the new hip for a ride, eh? how did that go?