So if I buy a Tri-Band radio (440/2M/10m) I can't modify it to transmit on 11M even if I'm licensed to transmit on all the other bands? This is one part of the HAM radio thing I've always been confused on.

I've considered getting a Yaesu VX-7R in the past as it's a quad band and can be software phreaked to allow transmit and recieve on the FRS/GMRS bands for when I go backpacking. I hate having to carry two radios. But I can never seem to find clear rulings on this. I know I can't violate the freqency's max permissable wattage or I run the risk of blowing out someone elses finals who's not running a radio designed to handle the power I'm pushing, and most newer radios like the Yaesu will allow you to set the transmit wattage in .05w incriments.

I guess I'm going to have to run twin radio's in my JK. I'm having enough trouble finding space for ONE radio! Guess I'll be getting that Toughy center console after all.

 

Like Skipmann I wanted a single radio option for the Jeep.
I looked at a modded IC-7000 for the Jeep.
But legally you can't run anything but an approved CB on CB!
I'm certainly not into law violations, but I wanted communication versatility for the Jeep. This includes the ability to call back to the Jeep as a base station, or to communicate with another HT off the trail somewhere. Now Tammy doesn't have a HAM license but my GMRS license covers her.

So I've left my Galaxy 939 CB mounted for the time being.
I'll be running my IC-92AD HT with a 2 meter only linear (40w) and external antenna, and have also procured F60 UHF ICOM HTs for use on the GMRS frequencies.
And I just got my GMRS license from the FCC as well.

The modded IC-92AD transmits well on both MURS as well as FRS & GMRS, but it is illegal to use for either even if you turn the power down.
It doesn't have any AM capability for transmitt.

 

This is something I've never understood. I can only assume it's regulation for the sake of regulation. Even if you're FCC licensed for both the HAM frequency and GMRS/FRS you can't have a radio that broadcasts on both. It's insane.

Instead, I have to have a seperate FRS, 10M/2M/440CM tri-band, and a CB. So that means I have to have at least 3 antennas if I want to use all those frequencies or a SUPER EXPENSIVE antenna tuner. It's things like this that have kept me from putting a mobile radio in any of my vehicles. It's just to dang expensive and an antenna farm on your JK screams "EXPENSIVE GEAR! STEAL ME!"

 

Yes, it is pretty ridiculous. Like I said in another post.....AS PART OF THE RULES, the FCC states that, altho we as HAMS can legally run up to 1500 watts, we are only to use the least amout of power to make the contact or maintain the qso. So what they are saying is that they "TRUST" us to do the right thing and turn down the power if we don't need it. But even using a super expensive, super clean HAM radio, they don't trust us to turn down the power to talk on the CB freqs with it. I haven't talked on the CB freqs in years and years so no big deal to me, but it still brings up the the "FEDS AND COMMON SENSE" issue yet again.

One other thing you might think about, "IF" you don't mind getting out of the Jeep to change antennas, would be to go with HAM sticks and a 2 position coax switch. Use the coax switch to switch between your 2 radios. It may not solve all your problems but would at least eliminate a few antenna mounts. BTW.....you mentioned the tri band as 10/2/and 440. I haven't seen any tribanders that give you 10m...??? 6 meters yes, as in the VX-7R, but not 10. Unless you are saying that the VX-7R can be modded for 10m? I'm not that familiar with the handheld so don't know if it can be. I kind of doubt it as 10m is pretty far from 6. You might elaborate on this....???
73