I have Verizon service here, even though the local phone company is Sprint. Their cell service (Sprint), along with Cingular, are amongst the poorest in the region. T-Mobile is good also. I agree with GoodSam, that just save your money on those "sticky antennas inside battery cover" stuff, and the passive repeater outside antennas. That is the biggest joke, but people eat it up, just thinking it works. Passive repeaters only work in the microwave region. I know, I installed plenty of them, along with the dishes, when I was on the "Tower Crew" as a lineman for the phone company. All it is, is a reflector, nothing more. Microwave is straight-line, thereby, aiming the Microwave dish at the passive repeater (usually on a mtn), there thereby "reflects" that signal, onto the next Microwave dish, or another passive repeater. If you ever drive along, and look up and see what you think is a "billboard" at the top, or on the side of a mountain, that is a Passive repeater. It's just a mirror of sorts, but made from metal.
I have one of the Wilson "Trucker" high-gain antennas on my pickup, for better coverage. What is hard about those, is finding the right connector to match up your cellphone, with the plug on the end of the coax of the antenna. There are so many cell phone models now, that Wilson cant keep up .
As for Ham Radio..... dunno..... I've been licensed for over 50 years (K6YDW), and living here in an area of 2 million people, and approximately 2000 hams, you can scan the 2 meter vhf bands anytime of day or nite, and not hear a soul. Dont know where they are, but they must be on their computers?? Only time you hear them, is when they are providing communications for a bike race, etc.
Dont know why I keep my license, but after all these years, cant see giving it up. Use it more in our RV travels, as usually meet another Ham on the road, and we can converse as we drive along.
Oh well.... I keep my cell on my bod when out and about, so guess I have to depend of it, if need be.