.
Hey TailGate .....
.
If you want to Mod a radio - go right ahead and do it. There is no rules against it; possession of a modified radio is not illegal.. and in fact it is part and parcel with a long line of ham radio traditions.
.
Everything radio today is synthesize'd- if you want to 'open it up' to other frequencies the processor has to be 'hack'd.' This act of hacking the radio get many quite upset since now it can be operated on non-amateur frequencies. The caveat comes when you operate that radio without permission (ie: a license) on frequencies you aren't authorized. Don't let anyone bully you about the possession of such a 'hacked' radio on non amateur frequencies- or even operating it on an non amateur frequency--- if they do, just say "Paragraph 97.401."
.
I personally have legally operated a modified ham radio under 97.401. If the subject interests you, review FCC Part 7, 80, 90, 97....... there is no prohibition against having such radios- there are only restrictions on what you can DO with them.
.
.
Going back to that traditional thingy-- before radios were all locked up, synthesizer wise, -hams were buying/building transmitters that could operate anywhere- Anywhere ! - Nothing, other than the legal issues stopped a ham from 'hacking' his transmitter. It was as simple as putting a frequency-specific FT-243 crystal in the oscillator socket.
My father used to check into his Air Force MARS net on 4593Khz with such a easy-peasy 'mod' from Texas Crystals.
.
Also any VFO is capable of out-of-band-operation.....
...... dare I hint at what I've done ? --
.
Every ham radio I have own'd has been 'hacked." Some I have done out of pure pugnacity... but never have I had a worry about the warranty, or had a problem afterwards. The manufactures, I am quite convinced, know their radios will be used in other countries besides the US, and not for hobbying. I have used 'hacked' ham radios (my favorite is my old, vintage Icom 720) in other countries outside the US on non ham bands for non ham uses.
.
If GigaParts will back the warranty, and you want to open up the transmitter, I say go for it**
.
.
Lauri
.
.
.
_______________________________________
.
** this is me speaking personally- and I know full well espousing such will open a flood gate of criticism, but so be it-- I enjoy fighting windmills...
.