"Janie Collins" <jjcollins@triad.rr.com> wrote in article
<7hd2b.14566$r15.869841@twister.southeast.rr.com>:

Ah yes, the rubber plugs... had I not sat this evening contemplating
whether to remove the rubber antenna plug from this beater prepaid phone
kept in my car, I would have said just tear it off and be free!
I kept the plug in, figured it was just a matter of time before it got
lost...there's just something difficult about throwing away those
things.

I have a nice new phone that did not come with a rubber cover at the
base. The last handset had a plug and I was always fighting it.

Those plugs are a pain and get in the way, they also prevent physical
damage and a possible short circuit should something get jammed into the
connector port.
Paper-clip, fingernail file, nail...whatever.

They may also help keep dust and debris from entering inside the phone.

I try not to use the connector port, instead using a charger cradle or
swapping batteries. Although the plug and ports seem to hold up well,
they are a weak link and fail or wear out in some older handsets.

Handsets seem to perform better calling out. Just happened in a fringe
analog area today.  

Call went out after switching from digital to analog. But calls TO the
phone went to voice-mail.
Not sure why exactly. Having the antenna first extended to make a call
might make a difference, not always though.

Did you try leaving the antenna extended and then calling the 4400? How
about going outside or higher on the property? Just a check to see if a
slight improvement in signal would allow incoming calls to be received.
Anyone else there have a Verizon phone or even a 4400 to compare
performance?

Seems like either the network has a hard time finding the handset in a
fringe area, or if there is not a certain level of network connection
available, calls get sent to VM.

-
David

Janie,
   First about the rubber plug. Leave it in the phone until the first time
you have need to use the port. Then take it out of the phone and throw it
out the window. If you really want to be on the safe side wrap a piece of
tape around it and tape it inside of the box that the phone came in. (If you
should ever feel the urge to put it back in the phone you know where it will
be.)

   About not recieveing calls/voicemail... It recieved them originally
correct?

1. Call your cell phone. If it rings... don't continue.
2. If it doesn't ring call 611 on your phone and when vzw picks up, hang up.
3. Call your phone again. See what happens. Post results.

Take care,
Josh