Go to apps.fi and se e where the nearest iGate is.
Drive to it and see if the HT registers.
If yes, it's a coverage/range problem.
If no, stay there and troubleshoot.
But, as others have said, with an HT, it's most likely a range/coverage problem.
Even in areas with lots of iGate coverage, my HT does poorly, unless it's in an airplane.
If I was going hiking or something and wanted APRS tracking, I'd bring a digipeater connected to a 50-watt xceiver and a good antenna (or an LTE hotspot).