thanks for the reply. So it’s for a organized 6 day trip to baja. He requires 50watt due to how spread out we will get. I tried piecing together stuff but still ended up close to the icom setup. I’m a total newb for radios so that doesn’t help.
Yeah, which is kinda what I was leaning towards regarding piecing it out. But do trying looking at the Kenwood TM-281A as it is a 65W max TX power, 2m (your 150MHz frequency range) with the only exception is that you would have to perform a small modification to "open up the frequency band", which I've heard is an extremely easy thing to do. I've never done it, but I've heard that it is very easy.
Anyways, if you were to start there, you SHOULD be able to find a 2m antenna for around $50 like the one in the link below... (approx $50)
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-000101
As far as I know, just about ALL of the race radio frequencies are around 150MHz-154MHz and rarely below that... BUT, you will need to verify what the freq list is for your event. I'm pointing this out because you want your antenna "tuned" to whatever frequency you're TX'ing at. For RX, you could practically use a regular wire for an antenna as the RX is NOT terribly important to worry about although an antenna that has gain would be very helpful. The one in the link is like 4.1dB, which is pretty good and it's 5/8 wave which would be ideal for more closer to the ground unless you plan on TX'ing/RX'ing to repeater systems sitting on mountain tops then, theoretically, a 1/4 wave antenna would be more ideal?
Anyways, the Kenwood TM-281A is: (approx $150)
https://www.theantennafarm.com/cata...qSYuVkeQoNksE9ax4aAkiqEALw_wcB&cPath=66_67_70
Cable, mount, maybe a couple of RF adapters... all for probably around $75-$100 off the top of my head.
Then factoring in shipping costs, assuming you have to ship, is going to add $$$.
Now, you have to program the radio yourself, do the mod, etc etc etc.
So, you MIGHT save some cash, but you have to ask yourself how much time are you willing to invest in it or do you want more "plug and play"?
Finally, regarding the RF adapters, you MIGHT need an "elbow" similar to this one... see the link below
https://www.theantennafarm.com/cata...qSYuVkeQoNksE9ax4aAkiqEALw_wcB&cPath=66_67_70
The adapter is very useful if you have to mount your radio in a fairly tight spot to where there is very little room in the back against, typically the firewall of the vehicle.
Again, keep in mind about likely having to need any RF adapters and such and how you plan on routing your antenna feed line. If it is going to be a magmount style antenna, then just throw the cable through and open window or sometimes you can even shut the car/vehicle door without damaging the cable... sometimes. You just need to check and make sure.
If you're on a motorcycle, I have NO CLUE how to help you there as I've never mounted an antenna on a bike. You'd have to figure that one out just by looking at it and trial and error with the mount.
Oh, and before I forget, make sure that you have a GROUND PLANE!!! Most antenna setups need a "ground plane" and it all depends on how your setup is (i.e. boat, car, truck, etc etc etc). Likely you WILL need a ground plane and to basically solve that, just make sure you have good "contact" to your vehicles ground/metal chassis. If your mount is painted, which it will likely be, make sure to scratch off any paint that will make contact to your vehicle chassis. Try not to mount your mount on any plastic part of the vehicle to where there will typically be no ground contact point.
Anyways, that is my take on it and I hope this somewhat helps?
