After being scolded

Based on what rules does the "repeater" work? Which pilots should I be able to hear. Which should I not be able to hear? How do I make sure that "it's my turn" on the frequency?
I searched the forums and these two threads came up:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6598&p=44076&hilit ... lot#p44076
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5113
In summary:
Tower and Below: "My controller" + all the pilots on my frequency.
Above: "My controller"
Is that correct? If so:
I am pretty certain that I sometimes hear pilots on different frequencies than mine on nearby airports (GND/TWR). Am I experiencing a software or a hardware (my cognitive system

And how long do I wait after the controller has called someone else? (In case the controller issues a CLNC the case is quite clear. I wait for his "readback correct". But what about all the other cases, where the controller is not confirming anything?)