New General getting ready to install my first mobile rig in the truck. I've been going back and forth between getting a 50W dual band or maybe a single band 2m with 65-80 watts. My concern is reaching repeaters while camping in some remote areas. Question for the elmers - is there really much difference in range between a 50w radio and a 65-80w radio? Would I be better off focusing my budget on a quality antenna instead?

Planning to power directly from battery and definitely avoiding the cigarette lighter based on what I've read here. Looking at the Yaesu FTM-300DR but open to suggestions. Thanks!

Don't get hung up on power output - there isn't much difference in range between a 50w radio and a 65-80w radio. Focus on your ERP (Effective Radiated Power) - that's power output times antenna gain. A good dual band mobile antenna with 3dB gain effectively doubles your power. You're on the right track with battery power - makes all the difference!

I recommend the Icom 2730A dual band mobile. I have two of them with no issues - 50 watts covering 2m and 70cm. Dual band gives you the most bang for your buck. Don't forget to invest in quality coax - RG-8X minimum for VHF/UHF mobile work.

Congrats on the General! Band choice really depends on your area - 70cm is more popular in urban areas, 2m dominates rural. Check repeaterbook.com for your camping spots to see what's active. The FTM-300DR is solid - System Fusion capability is a nice bonus for future-proofing.