Thank you for the input (and I even saw some terms I'm going to have to look up!)
I have always been focused on the local aspects of amateur radio - 100% of my activities have revolved around SKYWARN, the county EOC and other volunteer events so I have always been able to get done what I needed to get done with my HT and either the rubber duck (or a fancier Diamond) or a mag mount antenna. (I did find a 15' sectional fiberglass antenna tower that fits into a duffel for $20 at the most recent hamfest that I couldn't resist adding to add to my go kit but that's a different topic). My ultimate goals are to get a D*Star repeater system up and running that everybody in the county can hit (900 square miles) that includes 2/70/1.2 I am also interested in NVIS and would eventually like to have a go kit that can handle that, but one project at a time.
