4 bars no service ascend 2

Ok i just grabbed a Ascend 2. I currentley have a Verizon Network exteneder for all of our other verizon phones and due to rural location it's the only way to get service at home. On the Ascend 2 i can get web via wifi connection and text but cannot call. I have 4 bars of signal call will last 7 seconRAB every time and then drop without ringing on the other end. I was under the assumption that CDMA was CDMA as a Straight Talk Phone we had worked flawlessly. My daughter wanted a phone and so I grabbed the Ascend 2 for her and now this.... anyone have any pratical advice on what i can do on this end to fix the problem. The Cricket staff locally doesnt even know what a network extender is so that explining it them was pointless. IF this helps any I have a large triangle icon(instead of the 3g icon) next to the signal strenght icon on the phone. Thanks alot....