WyoJoe

Here is a website where you can enter two points to see the path between them. It also allows you to make adjustments for elevation of the antenna.
https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/
In my experience, the RF path for GMRS isn't purely line of sight. I have generally been able to get over or around small hills successfully, but not bigger hills.
Your success in reaching the other side of town will largely depend upon how big the "dip" is on the other side of the high spot. If it dips down to 350 feet, you'll probably be fine, but if it dips back to 130 feet as it does on your side, probably not.

I just received the AT-779UV and played with the programming software for a little while. I was able to add channels beyond the 30 that come programmed, and I was able to change the PL tones as well. Besides the "open" (no tones) repeater channels that were included, I added 16 additional repeater channels, this time with "travel" tones on the first 8, and custom tones on the second 8.
I couldn't change anything directly in the cell at first, but then realized that if I double click the cell, I could change some fields. For the fields I could not change directly, I was able to change it when I double-clicked the "more" (>>) cell. That would bring up the channel edit dialog box where you can change almost all the settings for that channel, such as channel name, power level, bandwidth, CTCSS/DCS tones (even custom ones). There's even a Tx Off option that I believe prevents transmitting on that channel, although I haven't confirmed if it works because I haven't tried it yet.
All-in-all, the software is a bit "clunky," but it gets the job done. Once you create your desired file, you can save it and upload it to your radio. From there, it's pretty easy to download from the radio, make minor changes, save it, then upload it again to the radio.

The KG-UV9G is an HT (handheld transceiver), not a "mobile" (automotive style) radio. The used commercial Kenwood/Motorola type radios you can find on eBay are often mobile radios, although HTs can be found there as well. Many mobile radios offer higher wattage output than what an HT will deliver. Most HTs will put out 5 watts at the most.
Midland offers mobile radios (like your MXT275) that put out as much as 40 watts (MXT400) or as little as 5 watts (MXT105). Anytone has a small mobile radio (AT-779U) that puts out 20 watts. B-Tech and Wouxon offer 50 watt radios (GMRS-50X1 and KG-1000G, respectively).
A lot of what you decide should be based on how you plan to use the radio. If you'll just be using it to talk to other people in your family while you're out hiking, or while traveling in one car following a family member in another car, then you would likely be fine with just an HT (well actually, a pair of them). If you want to talk to other people while driving to work, for example, or talk over longer distances, then a mobile radio would likely give you an advantage due to both the higher power output and the better antenna that most mobile radios are paired with.
The KG-UV9G is probably the most feature rich GMRS HT available. In the mobile arena, the KG-1000G is probably the most feature rich GMRS mobile radio available. Both of these radios, as well as a number of others, allow you to monitor other frequencies, including some ham frequencies. There are a lot of choices out there, but what would be best will depend on how you want to use it.

I agree. Having something right in front of you is a lot easier than trying to explain it to someone over the phone, etc. I'm sure you'll get it figured out pretty quickly once it's there in front of you.

My first thought was ensuring you entered the repeater codes on the transmit side of the radio. If entered on the receive side, they will not open the squelch on the repeater.
On the Midland, I'm not sure what the menu settings are called, but it would be something along the lines of TXCTS vs. RXCTS.
That would be the first thing I would check.
The second thing that caught my attention is that you mention CH20 and CH21, which are sequential, and frequencies of .625 and .675, which are not.
.650 is between them, so are you sure you're using the correct channels?

In the last day or so, Radioddity has released new firmware for the GM-30 radio.
It is available on their website now.
V2.06 allows the programming of additional repeater channels on which you can transmit.
 
To try it out, I updated the firmware on my radios, then reset them (menu 40).
After that I opened my saved configuration, and added eight additional repeater channels to the file, then uploaded the new file to the radios.
It seems to be working as it should with the additional repeater channels available in addition to the stock 30 channels.
 
The new firmware/software package allows the configuration of additional channels for multiple repeaters on the same frequency pair, where only the PL tone is different.
For those that have been wanting additional flexibility with the programming of these radios, this update should help.

I have both the KG-UV9P and the KG-UV9G, and using the same cable I've used for my Baofeng and TYT handhelds, I've been able to successfully read from both Wouxon radios with Chirp using the KG-UV9D profile. I haven't tried writing anything to the KG-UV9G, but I had no problem writing to the KG-UV9P.

I would also recommend the KG1000G based on what I've seen and read about it. I have one on the way, but haven't received it yet. Like you, I also have the GM-30 (a few of them actually), and recently purchased the UV9G too. The GMRS radios are what I pass out to family members when I want us to be able to communicate. I think this is a great solution for family communications when hiking, camping, bike riding, etc. They may lend themselves to an SHTF situation, as long as there aren't too many others trying to use the same airwaves at the same time.
 
If you get a Baofeng for SHTF scenarios, my recommendation is to get more than one. They provide much more capability than a GMRS radio by virtue of the frequencies on which you can transmit. GMRS is limited to the standardized channels (actually specific designated frequencies), and in many cases you don't have the ability to transmit "out of band," so to speak. With a dual- or tri- band ham radio, you have a lot more frequency space to work with and you're not limited to specific (channelized) frequencies within that space.
 
While it's true that a $25 radio will generallyget you $25 worth of performance, it's functionality will be largely dependent upon the ability to contact someone with it. If there's no one on the other end to talk to, it won't matter how much you paid for the radio. CCRs are great to use for learning purposes, and if you have several of them, you can pass them out to your friends and neighbors in a SHTF situation. As you familiarize yourself with the Baofeng, you will likely also become more interested in getting your ham license, which I would recommend anyway, since it would allow you to transmit with the Baofeng to communicate with others.
 
If you like the GM-30, there is another CCR that has slightly better specs than the Baofeng, and is similarly priced. It looks nearly identical to the GM-30, but comes in a ham radio variety. Take a look at the TYT-UV88 if you're interested.
 
The other nice thing about the CCRs is that as your interest grows (and likely your inventory of better radios), you can use the CCRs as backup radios.

My post was a play on a certain YouTube host's pronunciation of the name, but thank you for the clarification.

My post was a play on a certain YouTube host's pronunciation of the name, but thank you for the clarification.

My post was a play on a certain YouTube host's pronunciation of the name, but thank you for the clarification.

I thought it was "Walks-on." Oh wait, that's a different YouTube guy (Ham Radio 2.0). Good thing you went with that radio, otherwise you might have had to order from Radioddiddditty, Raddity-iddity, Raddy-oh, or whatever the heck that outfit is called.

Of the GMRS radios I looked at, all were made in China with the exception of a pair of Midland Xtra Talk (Bubble Pack) handhelds I have, which were made in the Philippines. While there may be some very limited production of U.S. made electronic products, I haven't seen it for many years in the realm of radio.
 
The exception, when it comes to radios, is the other topic you mentioned, antennas. There are some U.S. made antennas, mostly handcrafted by hams looking to capitalize on their creations.
Signal Stuff makes the Signal Stick antennas in Utah, I believe KB9VBR makes antennas in Wisconsin, and I also believe Ed Fong antennas are made in California.
 
In the ham radio world, it is very common for hams to build their own antennas, so there are plenty of U.S. made antennas. Of course, most of them are not commercially available.

In the last day or so, Radioddity has released new firmware for the GM-30 radio.
It is available on their website now.
V2.06 allows the programming of additional repeater channels on which you can transmit.
 
To try it out, I updated the firmware on my radios, then reset them (menu 40).
After that I opened my saved configuration, and added eight additional repeater channels to the file, then uploaded the new file to the radios.
It seems to be working as it should with the additional repeater channels available in addition to the stock 30 channels.
 
The new firmware/software package allows the configuration of additional channels for multiple repeaters on the same frequency pair, where only the PL tone is different.
For those that have been wanting additional flexibility with the programming of these radios, this update should help.

I just downloaded, installed, and used the updated GM-30 Software (V2.06) to update the firmware and programming of my three GM-30 radios.
The new firmware allows you to save additional repeater channels with modified PL tones, so you no longer have to change it from the front panel.
This makes the radio much more user friendly in my opinion, especially for those that use repeaters extensively.
 
I used the software to program 8 repeater channels with no PL tone, and 8 repeater channels with a PL tone, in addition to the other 22 channels.
With the update, you are no longer limited to only 30 channels on which you can transmit.
 
The link below was provided by Radioddity on the radio's Amazon page:
https://radioddity.s3.amazonaws.com/Radioddity_GM-30_Firmware%2020210402%20%26%20Software_V2.06_20210414.zip