Yes radio can be programmed. When I was flying, it was my understanding that because the radio was ostensibly for air to air comms, that was the only legal way to use it.

Way back in a former life I guided on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This was long before sat phones and, really, cell phones too. The only way to call out for emergencies was to use airband transceivers. The FAA nor the FCC ever came down on any river company or guide for using the radio inappropriately.

Sounds like selling and reinvesting in HAM is a good idea.