Don , on the 148 I plan to add lights to has the poor man's freq expansion the switches on the front high and low tone and bright /dim are repurposed as freq switches That way you don't have to install additional switches.
Yes I remembered back in the 80s I had a 148 with the switches for the xtra freqs up front where you said. I found a source for new case lids and would like to get this radio looking factory so will consider removing the side switches to the front. Doesnt look too hard, have you done it or sent it out?