The opposite of scared me, i’m more interested than ever but i think that antenna would put the whole project out of my price range at this time. Whatever i pick will be out in rural country side, rolling hills and plenty of trees, and will be mounted up on a decommissioned wooden telephone pole. Would a beefy antenna make enough of a different to justify being added?

This looks like my best bet. Batteries and metal mount included really sell me on it. I saw mention of upgrading the antenna have you tried that or felt the need to?