The use of an HT can certainly be convenient, but it's also limiting to a certain extent because it's so 'convenient'. Adding an external antenna is both beneficial and detrimental without a fair amount of care. Connecting/disconnecting that antenna get's to be a PITA after a while, and if you aren't at least sort of careful the HT's connector can break. I do it too, and so far haven't broken anything. The key phrase in that is 'so far'! I figure sooner or later I'll break something.
Antennas for HTs are the same as for a mobile or fixed radio, the bigger the thing is the more performance, usually. How you go about mounting that antenna is also a factor. Mag-mounts tend to work okay, but not as well as a fixed mounted antenna (lots of 'fudge' in that, take it for what it's worth). It's better to have a large, strong magnet than a smaller one, until it get's completely ridiculous.
As performance increases so does the cost. I can certainly understand the 'frugal' aspect, but that frugality has to stretch at times, you know?
I doubt if any of this is going to be a particular benefit to you, but it's something you really should keep in mind.
- 'Doc
(One 'trick' with a 'carried' HT's antenna is to use a real live 1/4 wave and add a 'rat tail' to it, it does make a difference. You basically change from a 1/4 wave to a vertical 1/2 wave antenna. Still won't do 'miracles', but it works.)