BoxCar

If you want FARS, go ham.

The only thing is to ask the repeater owner if his hardware allows DTMF and if he would enable it. The little "suitcase" repeaters don't have the capability for DTMF.

And yes, you can use both digital and analog tones on many radios. You set the mode to CROSS.

There are no real courses available on GMRS and you'll quickly become confused trying to go through the YouTube videos several have put together. I would suggest you go to the ARRL website and look for a ham club in your area. The majority of the hams will be glad to answer your questions and give guidance. Of course, there are some members that will disparage you over your choice of GMRS but don't let them discourage you.

Shawna, There is a lot to unpack in your message and I'll try to answer most of the points I see. First off, I agree with the statement you will not be able to connect to each other using hand-held radios WITHOUT going through a repeater. In an urban area the average range for one hand-held connecting to another is about 1/2 to 1 mile because of all the obstructions blocking the signal. Secondly, the radio service with the most likely success will be Amateur or ham radio. This is primarily because of the maturity of the service. Amateurs will have several VHF and UHF repeaters scattered around the area that can be used. The primary drawback to using amateur radio is the requirement to pass a 35-question test so you understand both the general rules on using radios in this service and you understand some of the theory about radios in general. The material is not overly technical and easy to understand with a middle school education. Local clubs often teach classes covering the licensing material so you can be prepared for the exam. Local club members are also a good resource for assistance with selecting radios and helping with operating them. As there are most likely several repeaters within your and your daughter's area, hand-held radios will work and the Baofeng UV-9 (ham version) is a good choice. Repeaters use a dedicated pair of frequencies in operation, you transmit on the repeater's input frequency and listen on the output frequency. A repeater immediately transmits what it hears on input over its output frequency so there is no time differential allowing a normal conversation where one radio is transmitting to the repeater and the other is listening to the repeater. Repeater operation is the same, regardless of the service it is used in. No, you are not automatically routed to a repeater, you have to have the repeater's frequencies in your radio and selected. Can GMRS work in your situation, perhaps. As the service hasn't been around as long as amateur radio there are fewer repeaters, but more are being installed every day. The disadvantage is there are fewer frequencies available for GMRS and the probability of congestion and interference is greater. The primary advantage is no test required even though the license cost is the same. If you have additional questions, you can click on my user name and send me a private message. Best of luck.

Set your squelch at the lowest level that just eliminates the static. Setting squelch too high means dropped low-level signals. The actual amount of squelch varies from different manufacturers as there's no real standard for the steps.

Well, quit trying to make it taste better by mixing it with a little Jack.

What antenna, how high is it and what are you using for the ground plane?

What software are you using to program the radios? CHIRP-Next will handle the RB26 and may show any additional tones in the radios.

A little blue lock-tite works wonders on the set screws. It usually stays liquid long enough to coat the entire set screw. I wonder if a little might "fix" your antenna problem. Squirt a little into the socket and let it dry before reinstalling the antenna and retuning it.

Vaseline has been used for years.

The wiring in the vehicle is one point that stymies many. The easier solution is to install a power stub permanently in the vehicle from the power source to the T-plug on the radio. you the only have to connect the antenna and power at the T-plug. The same for your base install. The connectors are available on Amazon and most Ham radio stores. You can get a fused one from Quicksilver radio (qsradio.com).

If my receiver doesn't use a code, they can have all they want on theirs, I'll still hear them.

Or "ABCD123 Testing>"

I wouldn't spend more than $250 for the radio and another for $40 for https://www.amazon.com/s?k=meanwell+12v+power+supply&crid=2BG35N3JFHFF8&sprefix=meanwe%2Caps%2C98&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_6, https://www.amazon.com/Bergen-Industries-Inc-PS913163-Appliance/dp/B07BQB7FH5/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=1OVEJEOM4FY90&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RzXLsiTuEDgnVxtXgEYRMV4MxZwJuAWQ56RreG08cXIPSl52UzUYr2rI9ziDJ6dTzEgMWy5baNByOXtTsdkSE9slq3GzBxZazHwObliMXDt964PLe45LE_yOUdopjebBO-gNJ6n8wjHD-lFTbyoi1L0d323rcJwfkNRu58sUjF0N5hiodpiKvsduhOttmNZn4_jotVUBvz6J09cItbAfJs8hsutjrJ8terP1f0ZE0vsxflX9JFwiUXygXSDxTk4NUPBCfW_aRrDyBi_XSGNhuLBCXy7KjQ0q9e6Gtl3IUZw.51v1FGiEZON0o8Q9bZ6ZESuWbBlMGTRF2quEYS0-Sds&dib_tag=se&keywords=power%2Bcord%2Breplacement&qid=1723685842&sprefix=power%2Bcord%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1&th=1, and https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lighting-and-electrical/boxes-fittings-and-conduit/lugs/34556. Of course, that doesn't include the coax, lightning protector, feed through, or ground strap and rod.

There are lots of tutorials on programming the Baofeng hand helds. They're all about the same so any tutorial on one in the same frequency range usually suffices.

I have dual watch on my mobile and I'll often respond on the wrong channel.

Good luck on that. Some have been trying for 60+ years.

True. Hotspots are used to convert between analog (FM) and the different digital modes. If you are just building a scanner type device to see if there is anything on the air then just an SDR radio would work.

SNE can be quite disturbing. Not to mention EMBARISSING!!!!

Repeaters ready to run will cost between $375 to over $3000. How deep is your pocket?

No, but one of these years I'll figure out how to set the one on the microwave.

leave it blank if you don't have one.

Looks like Morganton or Wheeling are the closest Moto dealers.

It sounds like shop time.