"Grumman-581" writes:

I've got Verizon also and I usually don't get a usable signal above 400 ft
AGL... At 1000 ft, it'll look like I'm getting a signal, but I'll lose it
before I've even finished dialing (even with speed dial)...

This is what happens with my cell phone (Cingular). The only time it
works is when I'm over a fairly remote area but line-of-sight back to
civilization or a freeway. I figure that the phone is getting only
1-2 towers and it works....flying over cities it gets too many towers
and gives up.