I asked this myself when I started. You'll notice, UPMan has been absent from commenting on this thread. The reality is, they will most likely try to copy my work. It has already happend to me before, with other products I have designed. Patents are so expensive and hard to get, there is virtually no way for me to protect myself from this.
I will play the devil's advocate here... I cannot speak for Uniden or anyone else, this is just my opinions on the subject.
My guess is that they might want to shy away from these discussions so as not to be drawn into support issues. What would happen if they gave material or even tacit support and then some issue that was not their fault caused damage to the radio or RH96 or voided a warranty or even a type acceptance? In addition, how would their support people deal with questions posed to them about this?
Also, manufacturers and developers have issues with third party products that may have already been in development at some level. What if Uniden was working on something just like this but it didn't get thru the company bureaucracy fast enough?
While it may be possible for Uniden or some other company to take an idea from cottage industries and run with it, without patent protection there is little that can be done about it. Apple and Microsoft are infamous for doing this, hundreds of innovations in various technology products were bought, stolen or otherwise first thought of by individuals or "Mom & Pops".
As the OP points out patents are a tough road, a whole lot of leg work is involved. Patent attorneys, filings and research are involved, and that all costs money. If this device, as good and cool as it appears, does not break new ground it might not even qualify for a patent.