Mobile 2m for base station or continue using HT?

I've made several comm related posts over the past few weeks. Some were serious and others were just "thinking out loud".

Anyway, I have bought a couple of HTs and was going to get an ARPS enabled Yaesu mobile to use a base station. Coupled with a good antenna and some LMR 400 I figured that I would be set.

However, after listening to repeater activitys I've noticed a few things that are making me rethink that idea.

1. The 2m band is dead here. Aside from hearing a kid complaining to his dad about mom not letting him play video games, the only thing I get is repeaters broadcasting their call signs. Heck, even the police frequency is mostly dead.

2. There are no local repeaters that offer any digital functionality. They tend to either be owned by individuals or by small clubs. Both lack the funds or interest to modernize. Based on #1 above, I can't say that I blame them.

Since I can generally hit any repeater within 30 miles from inside my house, I was thinking that I might want to forego a 2m/70 cm mobile and continue using an HT, although I still might install a decent external antenna.

I figure the $300 or so saved can be put towards an HF or all in one base later.

Any reason to consider doing otherwise?

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Mobile 2m for base station or continue using HT?