OffRoaderX

at a minimum, all you need to do is put the radio on the correct corresponding repeater channel, go into the menu and find the CTC or DTC menu (depending on if it is a CTCSS tone or a DPL/DTC tone) for TRANSMIT, select the correct tone from the list, and save the change.  I know you said you are not "technically inclined" but I assume you know how to read, so you might have to read the manual for the exact steps.  Only worry the transmit tone for now, the receive tone is optional.
That is all you need to do.

If only someone would make a very simple to understand youtube video explaining this all in very simple terms that anyone could understand, while at the same time using very easy-to-understand hand-gestures..
Whoever could achieve that would literally become the queen of all that is GMRS!

If only someone would make a very simple to understand youtube video explaining this all in very simple terms that anyone could understand, while at the same time using very easy-to-understand hand-gestures..
Whoever could achieve that would literally become the queen of all that is GMRS!

It depends on how you define "best" ...
I connected mine via my SPOD switch system. For me this was "best" because it was much easier and the wire-runs were shorter and already established.

If only someone would make a very simple to understand youtube video explaining this all in very simple terms that anyone could understand, while at the same time using very easy-to-understand hand-gestures..
Whoever could achieve that would literally become the queen of all that is GMRS!

It was already extremely easy.. It would be harder for me to find someone by callsign on that map that it would be to find someone by callsign on the FCC website.
Your argument does not stand up to scrutiny and is therefore, invalid.

"uplink" = TRANSMIT
any "D" tone = DCS/DTC/DPL
So just select DCS/DTC tone D423 from the Transmit Tone menu whilst on the correct repeater channel, save it, and you're done.  Should take no more than 15 seconds start to finish.  
PRO TIP!  -- The numbers of CTCSS and DCS tones do not overlap, so if you ever aren't sure, just scroll through both menu options until you see the number you are looking for - it will only be in EITHER DTC or CTC, never both.

It was already extremely easy.. It would be harder for me to find someone by callsign on that map that it would be to find someone by callsign on the FCC website.
Your argument does not stand up to scrutiny and is therefore, invalid.

Good one!  The funny part is that its like you dont realize that you put yourself on that list and all that information that you gave to the FCCs such as your home-address is tied to your GMRS callsign, and was already on Google, Facebook, and probably a lot of other places..

It depends on how you define "best" ...
I connected mine via my SPOD switch system. For me this was "best" because it was much easier and the wire-runs were shorter and already established.

Good one!  The funny part is that its like you dont realize that you put yourself on that list and all that information that you gave to the FCCs such as your home-address is tied to your GMRS callsign, and was already on Google, Facebook, and probably a lot of other places..

I agree and recommend the same to anyone having trouble with this company, (or any company)..  For recurring payments via PayPal you dont even need to close the PayPal account, you can simply "end" the recurring payments.

Oh man... A lot of people are going to shart-themselves when the reality that the FCCs makes their info public and easily accessible to anyone that has their callsign starts to sink-in...

Oh man... A lot of people are going to shart-themselves when the reality that the FCCs makes their info public and easily accessible to anyone that has their callsign starts to sink-in...

I agree and recommend the same to anyone having trouble with this company, (or any company)..  For recurring payments via PayPal you dont even need to close the PayPal account, you can simply "end" the recurring payments.

The only other option is to give a fake address, but that violates the rules so either Ham Registry or a PO box are the only FCC-acceptable ways to keep your address private.

Oh man... A lot of people are going to shart-themselves when the reality that the FCCs makes their info public and easily accessible to anyone that has their callsign starts to sink-in...

Oh man... A lot of people are going to shart-themselves when the reality that the FCCs makes their info public and easily accessible to anyone that has their callsign starts to sink-in...

The only other option is to give a fake address, but that violates the rules so either Ham Registry or a PO box are the only FCC-acceptable ways to keep your address private.

For comparison you could look at one of the pre-programmed repeater channels 23-30 You could key up and if you have it wrong it wont matter/wont hurt anything On a GMRS repeater if the frequency given is 462.xx then it will always be +5 It looks like you haven't added the recieve-tone, but that is optional anyway, and for a beginner/to reduce potential mistakes i would not bother with it yet It all looks right but the only way to know for sure is to try it.. and remember, if it's not right, it doesn't matter/nothing is going to break/no airplanes will drop from the sky.

Obviously "the best" is the UV-5R because it cost only $18.
as you can see, it depends on how you define "best" and what is important to you in a radio - so only you can answer the question.

Thanks, i read that entire thread but because it is 7 years old, I thought there might be some updates/something new/different - the options mentioned in that thread also did not meet my need of 'easy to use' or 'plug and play' ..
But, thanks anyway.
Hoping others have more helpful input.

I am looking into linking my repeater with a friends repeater, to extend both of our coverage.  Preferably something plug & play and easy to use (set it and forget it).
What options are there and if you've used any, how did it/they perform?
TIA .

For comparison you could look at one of the pre-programmed repeater channels 23-30 You could key up and if you have it wrong it wont matter/wont hurt anything On a GMRS repeater if the frequency given is 462.xx then it will always be +5 It looks like you haven't added the recieve-tone, but that is optional anyway, and for a beginner/to reduce potential mistakes i would not bother with it yet It all looks right but the only way to know for sure is to try it.. and remember, if it's not right, it doesn't matter/nothing is going to break/no airplanes will drop from the sky.

For comparison you could look at one of the pre-programmed repeater channels 23-30 You could key up and if you have it wrong it wont matter/wont hurt anything On a GMRS repeater if the frequency given is 462.xx then it will always be +5 It looks like you haven't added the recieve-tone, but that is optional anyway, and for a beginner/to reduce potential mistakes i would not bother with it yet It all looks right but the only way to know for sure is to try it.. and remember, if it's not right, it doesn't matter/nothing is going to break/no airplanes will drop from the sky.