[doorgunner69]

Does not make them useless. May be illegal to sell in the US, but the sold units will work fine.

Modifying handhelds from major Japanese outfits to transmit out of band has been around for decades. They are not sold that way though.

[ETCM]

Modifying handhelds from major Japanese outfits to transmit out of band has been around for decades.

Not just handhelds. I've had to modify radios from Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, etc for use at MARS stations I have set up at a few commands.