Ok, thanks, looks like this 2-way conversation I'm listening to isn't using tones...at least not right now...
In CHIRP, I set this channel to TSQL (rcvr must get tone to unlock) - Got no traffic, nothing (I can hear traffic if I unlock SQ using the MON key). Channel set to Tone - (Tx uses tone (I am not transmitting), rcvr unlocks on CSQ) - Good 2 way traffic. Channel set to "none" (no tone or TSQL) - Good 2 way traffic.
So I'll leave this CHIRP file set to none and monitor the ARES net until I get some more info on how they operated/whether they actually use NAC codes or not. Appreciate helping me work through this.