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The user programming software can be used to unlock the frequency range. At least it does on the Amateur version of the radio. Mine came locked to the Amateur Bands only out of the box. Click on the "Frequency Range" tab on the left side of the TH-8600 programming software. You should then see a small window with 3 frequency ranges on the left side, 150M 250M 450M. If you click in any of the ranges to the right you can't change the settings. Now press the "P" key on the computer keyboard. This NOT documented anywhere. Now you should get a small edit box that opens on the bottom of the frequency range window to enter a code. Type in "8600TH" without the quotes and is case sensitive. Then click "Enter". You should be able to click in any of the frequency range boxes now and change the values. Next write the code plug to the radio. Once this was done on mine I've never had to go back and change it. I can't say if this will work for the GMRS version of the radio but if somebody has one and wants to try it then let us know.

In addition to the issues noted above, I would expect the battery configuration was chosen to reflect the allowed power. If power was raised (if it even could be) to the degree it would make a practical difference, battery life would be likely to suffer dramatically.