SteveShannon

https://associatedradio.com is another good source for used radios.

Per FCC rule, mobile GMRS radios are not permitted to transmit on channels 8 thru 14.
..and IIRC, the 50v2 is locked so that it can only transmit on GMRS channels - however you can setup additional GMRS repeaters and custom GMRS channels with tones, and save them as custom channels.

I've used ebay with caution, and https://used-radios.com/ is an actual radio shop, so what they sell works. 

Awesome! I enjoy tinkering around with stuff. Sounds like something to try.

As well as people like me whom are more visual then auditory. I find it easier to identify signals and their types visually than listening to the signals.

Doesn't hurt that the entry cost for it are as minumum as you want. So it is worth a try. Usually, a cheap RTSLDR dongle is under $80. The software for basic usage is free or minimal in cost. Tons of articles on setting up antennas. There is very little that is as cheap with the same flexibility and versatility in the radio world.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

It’s a radio receiver that’s controlled by your computer.  It’s extremely flexible, allowing you to listen in on almost any mode over an extremely wide range of frequencies. Because it’s controlled by your computer you can manipulate the received signal and view it however you’d like.

It’s a radio receiver that’s controlled by your computer.  It’s extremely flexible, allowing you to listen in on almost any mode over an extremely wide range of frequencies. Because it’s controlled by your computer you can manipulate the received signal and view it however you’d like.

What I’m saying is that I’m not proficient, not at all.
Just this week, as a result of replying to your post, I’ve started over again. I can go through the levels fairly quickly and learn to recognize characters using the Koch or Farnsworth methods but then I don’t use it and I get distracted by other things.
So don’t think I’m anything special 🆘

Not a silly question.  Not draped over a backyard like my EFHW, but that’s what some whip antennas for UHF are - half wave and end fed.  Of course the wire is stiff and usually vertical, thanks to the ultra short wavelength 

No

One of the neatest ways to practice cw appears to be by using VBAND. This video discusses it. It appears that you can practice QSOs against a bot or against other people who use the same program:
They have a pretty simple key to USB interface that makes your keyer appear to be a key on a USB keyboard.
It’s sold here:
https://hamradio.solutions/vband/ and then click on the STORE button.

 
They also have a wifi interface to a key for use with VBAND. It’s available as a kit or in different states of assembly. It’s called CW Hotline. 
 
I have no experience with these, but I am interested in VBAND and the USB interface. 

Bought both of mine in a set… from Amazon. Never had a problem with either. 

The best deal on O-Rings is Harbor Freight. You can get a box of several hundred or so of different sizes for about $7 or $8 bucks. There will be one that will fit the bottom of the antenna. Also equally important is this nifty little trick. The Power/Volume knob is real easy to turn on. It could happen inadvertently while bouncing around in a back pack or go bag and you'll have a dead battery when you need your radio the most. Solution: Pull the Power/Volume knob off. You won't hurt it. It comes straight off. There is a flat index spot for reattaching it. Slip an O-Ring over the collar of the knob and push it back down on the stem so it fits snuggly. It will create a little bit of friction so when you turn the power knob on so it doesn't turn on too easily and preventing your battery to wear down while your radio is in a back pack or go bag.

Also 95.377 specifically says tones or other signals:

§ 95.377 Tones and signals.
Personal Radio Service stations that transmit voice emissions may also transmit audible or subaudible tones or other signals for the purpose of selective calling and/or receiver squelch activation. These tones and signals are ancillary to voice communications and are considered to be included within the voice emission types, e.g., A3E, F3E, and G3E.
(a) Tones that are audible (having a frequency higher than 300 Hertz), must last no longer than 15 seconds at one time.
(b) Tones that are subaudible (having a frequency of 300 Hertz or less), may be transmitted continuously during a communication session.
 

One of the neatest ways to practice cw appears to be by using VBAND. This video discusses it. It appears that you can practice QSOs against a bot or against other people who use the same program:
They have a pretty simple key to USB interface that makes your keyer appear to be a key on a USB keyboard.
It’s sold here:
https://hamradio.solutions/vband/ and then click on the STORE button.

 
They also have a wifi interface to a key for use with VBAND. It’s available as a kit or in different states of assembly. It’s called CW Hotline. 
 
I have no experience with these, but I am interested in VBAND and the USB interface. 

He briefly discussed connecting to serial port pins, which he does using a USB to serial adapter, beginning at 11:21 in the video. 
The same guy has a video on hardware interfacing but it’s specifically for as ASIO sound card. Here’s that video, but I’m not sure that I would recommend it. 
I’ll keep looking for something easier. 

There are many. 

The main reason for using a chassis ground is because of the battery management system AKA BMS. And if you use a chassis ground in the engine compartment then you don't have to worry about insulators or protective coatings, especially if you use a chassis ground that already has a ground wire attached to it.
And this even goes for using battery chargers and battery maintainers. They too tell you not to connect directly to the battery negative terminal. And the reasons are the same - it can cause problems/interfere with the BMS.

He briefly discussed connecting to serial port pins, which he does using a USB to serial adapter, beginning at 11:21 in the video. 
The same guy has a video on hardware interfacing but it’s specifically for as ASIO sound card. Here’s that video, but I’m not sure that I would recommend it. 
I’ll keep looking for something easier. 

I am an engineer and I watch tv.
What @WRYZ926 says is exactly right. If you connect any device directly to the battery you bypass any protective electronics that monitor and manage the charging system and battery. 30 years ago that would not have meant much but the under hood electronics are much more sophisticated now and much more susceptible to getting out of whack when something bypasses them. 

I am an engineer and I watch tv.
What @WRYZ926 says is exactly right. If you connect any device directly to the battery you bypass any protective electronics that monitor and manage the charging system and battery. 30 years ago that would not have meant much but the under hood electronics are much more sophisticated now and much more susceptible to getting out of whack when something bypasses them. 

I am an engineer and I watch tv.
What @WRYZ926 says is exactly right. If you connect any device directly to the battery you bypass any protective electronics that monitor and manage the charging system and battery. 30 years ago that would not have meant much but the under hood electronics are much more sophisticated now and much more susceptible to getting out of whack when something bypasses them. 

Don't run the radio ground/negative lead directly to the battery. Always ground directly to a factory chassis grounding point. The radio manufacturers such as Motorola makes a point in their radio installation instructions where to terminate the radio ground lead and it is not at the battery. You can be rest-assured that their engineers know what they are talking about regarding the proper procedure for grounding the radio and accessories. "Some People" are not Electrical or Automotive Engineers.

That is not advisable nor correct with newer vehicles equipped with the battery management system. You can actually cause problems by attaching accessory ground wires and chargers directly to the negative battery terminal. Always use a good chassis ground no matter if you are wiring up a radio or other stuff and also when connecting a battery charger.
Pretty much all newer vehicles made in the last 5-8 years all have the BMS module on the battery negative terminal. This is what controls how much voltage goes from the alternator to the battery. And you can really mess things up if your vehicle is equipped with the auto start/stop system.
And the 2020 GMC Sierra does have the BMS.