Just picked up my first dual-band HT and I'm having trouble accessing our local 2m repeater. I can hear the repeater output just fine, but when I transmit nothing comes back. The repeater directory shows it needs 141.3 Hz tone but I must be doing something wrong in the programming. Any FT-70 owners have step-by-step instructions for setting the transmit tone? I've read the manual three times and I'm still lost!

Welcome to the hobby! On the FT-70DR, press and hold the FUNCTION key then press the '4' key to access tone settings. Select 'ENC' for encode and choose 141.3. Make sure you're on the right input frequency too - many new hams forget about the offset.

I had the exact same problem when I started! If you're not hitting a repeater when you think you should be, first check to see that you're transmitting the correct CTCSS tone. Also verify you have the correct input frequency programmed - the offset should be -600 kHz on 2m.

Don't forget to check if the repeater also transmits a tone on the output. If it does, you can set up tone squelch (TSQL) so your radio only opens up when it receives that specific tone from the repeater. Really helps cut down on noise and interference.