[MilCom] CAP ISR Use Special "Cross Band" Authorization?

[Ken]

As many of your know Civil Air Patrol has purchased about 4000 ICOM 
Intersquad UHF radios (Model 4008M) and plans to purchase about 20000 more 
in the future.

See ICOM: http://www.icomamerica.com/press/default.asp?id=20001  (what the 
unit looks like)
http://www.icomamerica.com/land_mobile/iaNews/iaNews12_04.pdf#search=%22Civil%20Air%20Patrol%20Intrasquad%20Radio%22 
(page 2)

As many of you know most of CAP's volunteers' radio communication equipment 
was basically converted amateur radio equipment and does not meet the new 
narrow band requirements which CAP has to adhere to.  CAP has made 
significant purchases of  EF Johnson base & mobile equipment (approximately 
$1 million of equipment  see: 
http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/operations/communications/radios_radio_network.cfm)

BUT it's unclear as to what has been purchased for portable units.   Most 
CAP members could afford to buy the ICOM 4008M, which are rumored to sell at 
less than $65.00 on the GSA schedule, so CAP is faced with how they can make 
the 1/2 watt portable radios more effective in use by ground search team & 
other support activities, thus the potential for CAP seeking special 
permission for the cross banding usage.

Can anyone confirm that Civil Air Patrol is seeking special permission to 
test the use of these ISR radios with a cross band repeater interface on 
their new fixed & portable VHF repeaters as they transition to their new VHF 
frequencies in 2007?

Ken