Socalgmrs

This is why I do my research BEFORE I purchase a radioditty, retivis, titration, midland rugged and ect.  I read Atleast once a week about each one having some issue.     Every cable I’ve ever used auto installs the driver.  

If your getting the squelch tail then You are transmitting and receiving on the right frequencies.  And if that is happening then you don’t need the tones like you have already said. There are no other settings.  How do you know you’re not getting through? Do you have a friend or family member with another radio that can listen while you transmit?   How close have you actually been to the repeater?  Is your audio on high power?  What antenna are you running?   Do you have line of sight? No trees or hills or buildings in the way?   There are sooo many variables.  A hand held will get between 1/2 a mile to 40 plus miles.  Depending on all those variables.