It is a legal amateur radio, not an illegal one! Even when you using the FT-817 for transverter-use, the frequency range should be more then adequate!
Why using an HAM-Radio out of the legal HAM-bands? I see no use for it! (144 to 146MHz in EU ; 144 to 148 in the U.S.)?
And, if it is so, in a case of an emergency, take your 'Bauwaufuang'- Radio, and do your 'illegal call'!?
What do you want to hear on the 'upper frequncies', other than 'no ham-radio' belonged stuff! For me, it is not that interessting! Allways the same, ... !?
It is for Ham-radio use, not for PMR or something else!?
And don't forget, the radio is about 22 years old, and still a 'hot shot' for some OM's/YL's!
No 'cheaper' allmode/allband radio, to buy until now, with a propper preformance! Other competitors are more expensive, or not as good as the trusty (rusty) old "Yaesu FT-817/ND/818".
Mine is more than 21 years old, with a second PA-board. (It was my own mistake! I forgot my battery-pack inside the radio!) and still going strong!?
73 de Markus ; db9pz
Markus