WRVF645

I've did both a few months ago when learning which radios best fit my gmrs needs.  I find way more use out of a grms radio that's already set up with the "standard" 22 simplex channels and 8 repeater channels than taking a blank ham radio and setting it up from scratch.  I mostly use my radios for simplex comes with my team with occasional repeater use.  I'm am often in a situation where the group is mixed gmrs and frs so being able to tell the group, "We are using channel _____."  today is just quicker and easier.
 

Don't trouble yourself. Seriously. Don't. 

Almost any external speaker would work, the issue being cords between the radio and the speaker. I bought this little peaker for when I operate away from my home. AYL Mini Speaker System, Portable Plug in Speaker with 3.5mm Aux Audio Input, External Speaker for Laptop Computer, MP3 Player, iPhone, iPad, Cell Phone (Black) (amazon.com) It is amplified so its volume is independent of the radio volume meaning I can leave the radio's level set or normal use and increase or decrease the volume at the external speaker as needed.

I don’t know of a single introductory thread here.  If anything you’ll be permanently scarred by the arguments about what kinds of radios are best and whether a roger beep portends the end of the world as we know it, but it’s actually a pretty fun bunch of people.
Some of the best introduction to gmrs is in the form of Notarubicon videos on YouTube, although you will also want to pay attention to some of the people here to hear some reasoned differing opinions.  In particular, look for his GMRS for Dummies video.
Don’t let anyone tell you your radio isn’t good enough.  Eventually something someone says may sound like that, but don’t take it personally.  You’ll quickly learn what’s good enough for your own needs.
Welcome to the forum!

Some areas are, mostly because GMRS is intended for purpose-use. ie; when you go hiking, off-roading, etc, to talk with others in your group. Its not primarily intended for chatting with strangers.

It's all working now but I didn't use Chirp.  As I was leaving for work I saw that I had recieved the bluetooth adapter to program the radio with a phone app that I had ordered.  Using the adapter and the app on my phone  I was able to take off the recieve tone and update the radio.  I can now connect to the repeater.
I just connected to Chirp and now I can see the settings in Chirp.  I did not have the Tone Mode set to Cross, now it is.
 
 

Sorry, Spectrum upload speeds suck!

As an unashamed ham/GMRS user, one thing I hear a lot that clearly differentiates ham radio from GMRS is the idea that old hams will make it a point of updating everyone, whether it's on HF or VHF/UHF repeaters, about their health status and that of their spouses. Strokes, heart attacks, oozing wounds, various surgeries, the entire spectrum of medical issues, are covered ad nauseum. GMRS doesn't normally include that kind of conversation. It can get depressing.

My son figured it out.  He actually went to buytwowayradios site and read the help info.
I had to change a compatibility setting  to Windows 8, in the Wouxun software.