I have a ham license, but I don't have an expensive ham radio in the van I drive. I've got the at5555n an export radio that does everything that my radio ( still have) from the 70's does. I think its the best band as there are alot of people on. But I am so disapointted with the conditions, I look at the sfi numbers and its been low for years. Its a blast to get the conditions that are so magical. I turn the radio on as I drive and usually its dead, one morning there is a station in Italy and it has that almost echoey sound, as he is talking he mentions that a down pour is coming and I hear the drops hitting the tin roof..Made my day.
Something else, any lower frequency and your antenna just looses efficiency. I'd love to have that whip,but I just can't cut a big hole in the side of the van and have giant antenna,, I have a 44" base loaded larson.