old analog-only vs. trimode in analog mode ?

[etrimmer]

I still have an old analog phone; Audiovox MVX505AAA; with a calling plan that is just as old; Bell Atlantic Mobile/Verizon "analog 15".
I know that sounds laughable to most people. But I barely use 15 minutes a year. So 15 minutes a month is not a problem for me.
In the past two years I have only used the phone 9 times. Once in Wyoming, once in California, once in Nevada, once in Colorada, once in Tennesse, once in Alabama, once in Nova Scotia, once in Newfoundland, and once in Labrador. And the total of all those times is less than 1/2-hour.

I usually only use the phone for emergencies or when on vacation to check in with neighbors to remind them that I am away; ie. "Don't forget to bring in my mail, etc...".

Because of how little I use a cell phone. I recently decided to buy a prepaid phone. And because my vacations involve strapping camping gear on my motorcycle and riding around the U.S. and Canada for three weeks; usually in remote areas. I decided to get a Page Plus trimode; which uses Verizon's network.

BUT I've noticed; at least in my house; that my old analog phone gets a stronger signal than my new trimode set to analog mode. Two bars vs. one bar.

Does this mean that my trimode will not work in remote areas but my old analog phone will work ?
If so; should I keep my old analog phone until the bitter end of analog in 2008 ?

Thanks;

[MOTOhooligan]

Analog signal reaches farther than digital signal and analog phones have more power than digital phones.

Analog bag phones 3 watts
Analog handhelds .6 watts
Digital handhelds .3 watts

You'll be able to get signal in more remote areas with an analog-only phone because it has .6 watts of power, as opposed to .3 watts with a tri-mode digital phone.

Will the tri-mode work in most places you need it to? Probably, yes. But in certain areas, your analog-only phone will be the only thing you can get signal with, because it has .6 watts of power and your tri-mode in analog mode only has .3... at least until the bitter end, 2008, as you say.

[etrimmer]

Thank you very much for clearing things up for me.
I'll will keep the old analog phone.

Thanks !

[Andy]

It also greatly depends on what kind of phone you got. Analog only phones used to be really really good at keeping an analog signal. Newer tri-mode phone often have a sucky Analog mode.

Just a question, but has Verizon ever sent you letters asking you to upgrade to CDMA digital and 'experience the newer technology etc. etc.'???

[etrimmer]

It's been soo long since my original contract ended; possibly six years ago. That I don't remember if they asked me specifically to upgrade.
But with every bill there is the usual generic upgrade or limited-time-offer flyer stuffed in with my bill.