Is there any electronic equipment that we demand more from than the cell phone? Some people literally live on them from their jobs right through to their personal lives. We carry them in pockets and purses and submit them to temperature changes and dropkicks. Yet, as imperative as it has become to our lifestyles, it is the one device we never seem to take the time to learn how to maintain and keep healthy. With nearly 70% of all cell phone warranty exchanges deemed as unnecessary once received back to the manufacturer, it is proof that consumers need more education on improving the most basic of cell phone technology. The reception.

Other than trashing your phone or switching your carrier there are some simple and common sense things you can do to insure that you get the best reception you can.

1. Research your phone before you buy it. Use your resources and don't rely on a sales pitch. Ask friends what brand they have been happy with. Check consumer sites on-line. There is no secrets any longer thanks to the Internet. Don't make a two year commitment for a phone just because it is slim or cute or you will get what you paid for. A cute paperweight.

2. The battery is the engine of a phone. Learn how to care for the battery. Each manufacturer sets guidelines for the success of their battery. Does it need fully charged and fully emptied the first 2 or 3 times to encourage great performance? When it is suddenly draining too fast (this happens often on data devices) does it require that you empty it completely before recharging? Are you trying to charge it when it is under 25% on a car charger? A phone cannot pull in a good signal on a weak battery, thus impairing reception. Also, be certain that you are charging your battery with the charger it was meant to be charged with.

3. Are you on a SIM card using device? How old is that SIM card? While SIM cards are usually durable and long lasting they can malfunction or age. Test the SIM in another device and see if it experiences the same bad reception. It may be time to replace the SIM and carriers will usually do this for free if the SIM is failing.

4. Manual network selection is important when you may be picking up another carrier instead of your own. While your carrier may have a roaming agreement with another service partner you will be the low man on the totem pole, so to speak, possibly experiencing poor reception. You want to insure that you are on your own carrier's network whenever possible

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