A quality basic 40 channel base radio such as a Cobra 2000 and a good all aluminum antenna such as a Siro is a good combination. The real trick is the get your antenna up about 36 ft. and keep the SWR's as low as possible.
That is, unless you had rather have a multi-banded base radio.
I've had more fun with a 5 watt transceiver than all of the power in the world with a good directional high DB gain antenna.
Is that red box a 'Magna Force'?
Nice power supplies
__________________ What gear do I use?
BASE: Icom IC-718 & GAP Titan DX, Yaesu FT-8800R & Diamond X50A, Magnum OmegaForce S45 & IMAX 2000 w/Astatic D104/TUP9.
MOBILE: Galaxy DX99V & Wilson 1000 w/Astatic D104-M2, Yaesu FT-8800R & Diamond NR-770. "...The 444 in San Jose CA; the Central Gold Coast..."