diff --git a/handbook/phone.htm b/handbook/phone.htm
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@@ -8,24 +8,43 @@
 <h2 id="tophead">CUCC Expedition Handbook</h2>
 <h1>Mobile Phone Use Guide</h1>
 <p>After many years of using complicated radio systems of varying degrees of complication and reliability, we have finally settled on a foolproof method for communicating callouts from top camp to base camp: mobile phones. Cheap Austrian pay-as-you-go mobiles have sufficiently good reception on the plateau for sending SMS messages, and even occasionally for conversation.</p>
-<p>We are using the "B-Free" mobile scheme. (In 2011 we tried using another provider which picked up the T-Mobile network, however the reception was not as good as B-Free. &nbsp;B-Free&nbsp;has an annual renewal of the SIM which gets you the phone number and connection (plus some credit). More credit comes in the form of a card with a scratch-off secret number.</p>
+<p>We are using the "B-Free" mobile scheme. (In 2011 we tried using another provider which picked up the T-Mobile network, however the reception was not as good as B-Free. &nbsp;B-Free&nbsp;has an annual renewal of the SIM which gets you the phone number and connection (plus some credit). More credit comes in the form of a receipt with a printed code or a card with a scratch-off secret number.</p>
 <h3>Annual renewal</h3>
-<p>This has to be done in less than 13 months otherwise it costs a great deal extra (equivalent to starting from scratch). The phone cannot be used in the last month, but renewal is much cheaper than starting from scratch.</p>
+<p>This has to be done in less than 13 months otherwise it costs a more as you
+essentially have to start from scratch (~EUR10 for a new SIM with EUR5 of
+credit). The phone cannot be used in the last month, but renewal is cheaper
+than starting from scratch.</p>
+<h3>Checking credit</h3>
+<p>The simplest way (which doesn't require understanding a number read out to
+you in German) is to dial <b>*101#</b>.  This doesn't actually make a
+call but results in you getting an SMS-like message containing the balance
+details.  There's no charge for this.</p>
 <h3>Adding credit</h3>
-<p>If you need to buy more credits for a phone either:</p>
+<p>If you need to buy more credits for a phone the simplest way is to just ask
+for a "B.Free" top-up at the supermarket checkout (Unimarkt definitely did them
+in 2016).  They'll give you a printed receipt with the code to key in.  See
+below for how to use it.</p>
+<p>(Other options we've used were:
 <ul>
-<li>go to the Hartlauer shop oppositeUnimarkt/Konsum. Wave the phone and ask for a 'B-free Bon'.</li>
-<li>go to postoffice and ask for B.Free 10 euros for each phone.</li>
+<li>go to the Hartlauer shop (on right of road to railway station, not far
+beyond the post office).  Wave the phone and ask for a 'B-free Bon'.</li>
+<li>go to post office and ask for B.Free 10 euros for each phone.</li>
 </ul>
-<p>You should be given a aufladecode, (this may require scratching off a panel at lower right back of card)</p>
+<p>You should be given a aufladecode, which may require scratching off a panel at lower right back of card.)</p>
 <ul>
-<li>Dial 0800 664290 (if you're lucky someone might have put this in the phone address book possible under the name "Check balance")</li>
+<li>Dial <b>0800 664290</b> (if you're lucky someone might have put this in the phone address book possible under the name "Check balance")</li>
 <li>Listen to an audio menu and Press 2 (to select something)</li>
 <li>Then type in number on the scratch panel, followed by #</li>
 <li>Listen to the number read back to you, and press 2 to confirm code is correct.</li>
 <li>Press No twice to end the call.</li>
 </ul>
+<h3>Tips and Tricks</h3>
+<ul>
+<li>If you're in an area where reception is poor and you need to go to a
+particular spot to check messages, try dialling the balance request
+number (<b>*101#</b>) once there - this usually seems to trigger delivery of any
+pending SMS messages.</li>
+</ul>
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