Thanks, Bob.
A1) Yes, I can hear the repeater with tone turned off.
A2) Yes, there is a nearby uncoordinated repeater on the same frequency that often breaks squelch but is weak signal and unintelligible.? It's the reason this repeater transmits a tone.
A3) This repeater is only about six miles away.? I can hit it with full quieting from my HT.? Receiving is also full quieting.