Thanks 'theveterans'. I suspected as much, but wanted confirmation from Intel so that I can definitively state in our product design meeting that a soft-AP is not possible when in 802.11a only mode.
I also had a support request into Intel's 'official' support channel asking the same question. So far that has resulted in an Intel 'support' person constantly asking about the manufacturer of the PC I am using or whether I'm using Win7 or Win8. Not exactly relevant when it seems the adapter is doing what it was designed to do. I can't understand why it takes Intel so long to state the facts about its own products!!!
Thanks again 'theveterans'.