WRXB215

This looks like it’s going off the rails. 
 
I would quit looking at what’s coming out of the packet decoders until with 100 percent certainly the mode is positively identified. For the various modes the RF has some very characteristic features. For example DMR, P25 Phase-2 and Tetra are all TDMA based with particular bandwidths of the signal and slot timing. P25 Phase-1 is like NXDN, both are ONLY FDMA based. But, NXDN has two bandwidths, narrow and very narrow that are used.
Once there is zero doubt about the mode then worry what’s coming out of the decoders. For now it looks like garbage mostly. Even if the voice payload is encrypted the headers are not. It’s has to be this way for the state machine in the radio’s firmware to figure out what type of packet it is and what to do with it. If you’re getting good decodes then at least the packet type should be identifiable even if the payload is encrypted.
Assuming it’s a Motorola system then the encryption is likely one of several types, basic - enhanced - AES/DES. 
 
The basic mode used on Motorola radios is a low bit count scrambler type proprietary to Motorola. It’s available on many of their digital radios.
The enhanced encryption is usually RC4, a 40 bit stream encryption, available on many radios besides Motorola. I have it on several of my Kenwood NX-1300DUK5’s.
https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/290-nx-1300duk5/?context=new
The AES/DES encryption is available on the higher end Motorola radios only, I believe, and on other manufacturers as well. It’s also on my Anytone D878 and D578 too at no extra cost. 
Currently you’re not likely to find much in the way of decryption software since the FCC rules now make it clear it’s against the law to decode encrypted transmissions you’re not authorized to receive. The guys doing the SDR software have said they won’t touch it for that reason. 

I hate to sound like a broken record, because this is common advice on every site, but the first thing you need to do is read the manual. There will be instructions on how to set up your radio to access (not connect to) repeaters. Take the information about the repeater that you gleaned from the MyGMRS database, such as the CTCSS tones and repeater frequencies, and go step-by-step through the instructions. Also, there are pantloads of videos that show how to do this. Trying to follow anyone's instructions here may only frustrate you, because they may be rewriting and overcomplicating the instruction manual you already have. Specifically which Rugged Radios handheld do you have? Some of them are (or at least used to be) relabeled Baofengs at three times the price.

Please don't double post. Two threads on the same question will lead to confusion on everyone's part.

My callsign being 559 makes the 5 by 9 terminology quite confusing. I usually try to report by telling them how their volume, signal strength, and background noise comes in. Also too many people lie about "loud and clear" when someone actually sounds weak. Better to be honest so they know and can fix it.

Some of these response are funny, and true.  LOL
 
I wish that people would us plain English on GMRS, but if someone is going to use a scale, they would be more helpful if they said something like I would give you a 3 out of 5 or a 4 out of 5.  That is something most people understand.
 
Unless you're a radio dork or was in the military at a very specific time in history, you would have no idea what "Q3" or "Q5" is or what someone means when they say "you're in the pipe 3x5." 

A signal strength and readability report is a standardized format for reporting the strength of the radio signal and the readability (quality) of the radiotelephone (voice) or radiotelegraph (Morse code) signal transmitted by another station as received at the reporting station's location and by their radio station equipment. These report formats are usually designed for only one communications mode or the other, although a few are used for both telegraph and voice communications. All but one of these signal report formats involve the transmission of numbers.
 
 
ITU-R Radiotelegraph Signal Reporting Formats Signal Question Answer, Advice, or Order QSA What is the strength of my signals (or those of...)? The strength of your signals (or those of...) is... scarcely perceptible weak fairly good good very good QRK What is the intelligibility of my signals (or those of...)? The intelligibility of your signals (or those of...) is... bad poor fair good excellent

I found this info here https://www.fjarskiptastofa.is/english/telecom-affairs/registration-and-licences/temporary-licences/

It looks like you will be able to operate on amateur radio bands in Iceland with a valid US license. Here are a few links for you to read.
https://www.arrl.org/us-amateurs-operating-overseas
https://www.arrl.org/reciprocal-permit
https://www.ira.is/english/
I did not find a definitive answer on GMRS.

It's not RF. It's demonic. 😲

gmrs only radios arnt 400-470 they are a set of specific frequencies or “channels” so this wouldn’t help anyway.   If you wanted noaa you should have purchased a noaa capable radio. Many gmrs radios have noaa.  All my radios I use for gmrs also have noaa.  

I pulled out those MP31s I have to use while I was in the attic last night working on the AC. They still have my call sign taped to them. 🤣

It has become apparent to me that I will be learning for the rest of my life. That's one of the things I really like about two-way-radio. 👍

@Merky1761 That looks like a very nice project. Congratulations. 👍

Welcome to myGMRS.com.
In one sense GMRS is quite simple, yet you can take it to quite an extreme. And some people do.
Your budget will determine a lot about what kind of radios you buy.
I would start with a couple of HTs to get your feet wet.
GMRS is in the UHF band so don't expect to get the distances you hear by hams doing HF. Trees, terrain, etc. will affect your distance. It could be anywhere from 1/2 mile to 50 miles or more. Do your own testing in your area of operation to find out what's real for you.
"Privacy Tones" aren't private. Others can still hear you, you just can't hear them unless they transmit with the same tone.
Repeaters typically use tones to operate.
These are just some basics to help you get started.
@OffRoaderX has some good videos to help you get started.
As you come up with more specific questions, feel free to ask.
Also, you can do a search to find questions that have already been answered.
73
Edit:
I forgot to mention, @marcspaz did a real good video on intro to GMRS.

I pulled out those MP31s I have to use while I was in the attic last night working on the AC. They still have my call sign taped to them. 🤣

@Merky1761 That looks like a very nice project. Congratulations. 👍

@Merky1761 That looks like a very nice project. Congratulations. 👍

See that’s the tone I’m getting at. 🤷‍♂️Feel better? Question is rhetorical. You’d be wrong by the way. I try to help when I can and I listen a lot. 
“A forum is an online discussion board where people can ask questions, share their experiences, and discuss topics of mutual interest.” 
I pulled the definition and I believe my understanding was/is on the mark. I think the keyword is “discussion” not aggression. I’m sure you’ve heard the proverbial “you attract more bees with honey than vinegar”. 
I’ve got no dog in this fight. I’m not perfect and I think people should get a second chance. I don’t know about a third one though. I didn’t dig a hole, I just saw a boat quickly sinking and thought maybe I mention the stopper sitting there could be used to plug it. Sounds like you got this. If not I hope you find the answers you’re looking for. Cheers ☕️ 
 
 

I don't have facebook but I found several GMRS  facebook groups clubs just doing a search for Louisiana GMRS radio Clubs. I did the same with ham radio clubs and found multiple websites with contact information. Not know where in Louisiana you reside I can't narrow it down.

Even though this scenario can actually happen, I encourage you to get your ham license and get on the air. You will increase your circle of trusted friends which can be a real asset during such an event.
Also, I think it was @Lscott that pointed out once that in a stressful situation you want a radio that is very simple to operate. It sounds like good advice to me.

My wife and I wrote a script for a training video on how to program and use DMR radios. Yep, our marriage was strained for a while. 😮

I've done some technical writing for the company I work at, Power Point slide shows for training/sales, test procedures and manuals, but it's not my primary job. People think it's easy. Nope! It's boring mind numbing work and requires a lot of attention to details. People who do it full time professionally really earn their money. Doing design calculations, simulations and circuit design is much more fun, and it keeps the mind sharp too. 🙂

My wife and I wrote a script for a training video on how to program and use DMR radios. Yep, our marriage was strained for a while. 😮

Here is the pinout for the Wouxun extension cables.
1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-7, 6-6, 7-5, 8-8
I will suggest using a good shielded Cat6 cable along with shielded RJ45 connectors if you plan on making your own cable. The shielded cable will help keep out RFI from other radios.
Again, it will work, but you will be better off getting a purpose built repeater and a decent duplexer versus using two KG-1000G radios for the reasons already mentioned.

What you say we try that again...  Seems like you are getting off on the wrong foot and coming in hot. I don't think initially people were trying to be disparaging but perhaps you took it that way.  First, thank you for your service. Second, no one cares about your degrees. Oh Yeah, Spoiler alert it's a forum not the help desk where you bought your radios so advice and opinions are going to be at the discretion of the people giving it. You wouldn't ask a stranger for directions on the street and yell at them would you? What people are trying to point out is older commercial grade equipment has a well regarded reputation for doing the job that your set up does not. Perhaps someone at your local Ham club has a set up you can buy that isn't some "shady seller". If you stick around you'll find some helpful people here, in fact there right here in this thread. Good luck.