wvanbrink

For theV1. GMRS channels = one radio direct to another. What is referred to as simplex meaning transmit and receive is done on the same frequency. REPT channels = Radio to repeater to another radio. In your case if all 3 radios are set to a repeater channel then they transmit on one frequency and receive on another. They'll only work if you have a repeater nearby on that frequency/channel. I use Chirp but honestly don't find it is needed for the V1. If you are going to use repeaters just learn how to set the Tones on the radio and move on. I would advise setting both the transmit CTCSS and receive CTCSS so that your radios filter out transmissions without the tone. We have a fair amount of FRS activity in our area and so the receive Tone really helps.

You will be able to access repeaters with the V1. One word on repeaters. Where I live most of the repeaters are on top of mountains and are easy to access. We have 2 or 3 here in town that are only a few miles away but because their antennas are at rooftop height they are nearly impossible to reach from my house.