The law clearly says they shall not have user accessable crystals, yet the manufactures clearly break the law. They get away scott free but the AMA is going to hammer ignorant Joe blow if they catch him!
I doubt anyone is going to get hammered for changing crystals. My theory is the FCC and radio manufacturers decided to give us a loophole. Sort of an unwritten exemption from the rule. Like, we aren't supposed to change them, but they make it easy and in fact aren't stopping us. Of course if you ask, they must say no.
My radio (8U) has a transmitter module, so this isn't a concern.
Tom