On The Motorola, Yes, You need a Rib, Box, and controller to reprogram. 
Several Radio shops around the country will do this for a nominal fee. As to 
the GE, I have a friend that works in a GE shop. He says they use EEPROM in 
some models and EPROM in the older. The difference: about 4 hours worth of 
labor. Would you consider selling either radio?  How much if so?
73's de KB7WTD
John in Portland
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