Reddit mentions of Solarcon A-99CK 17' Omni-Directional Fiberglass Base Station Antenna and Ground Plane Kit

I will second this. For a small investment ($300+/-), you can get an excellent mobile unit like the Uniden 980SSB that has all the features you'd want or need for a entry level base station, a good antenna such as the Solarcon A-99 or IMAX, and a decent power supply that will run 5A constant for a barefoot (no amp) radio. You should be able to reach out all over your local area (5-10 miles) and talk with few issues, huge buildings and mountains aside of course.

If you want to walk on the wild side and get a small linear amplifier (under 200W), you can expand that range drastically, and even do some very respectable DX work on SSB, like across states or even international communication when the conditions are right. Now, here's the disclaimer... Linear amps ARE illegal. You are legally limited to 4W. I can't LEGALLY justify telling you to use one of these, and do so at your own risk, but many CB users do. And at power levels far exceeding 200W. With very little to no enforcement by the FCC. So take that with a grain of salt.

My base works excellent and is essentially the recipe I've given you. I have made many contacts out of state, and half way across the country. I can hear Mexico from time to time as well. Here's what I have. This would exceed $300, but I added a larger power supply to support an amp, and of course an amp.

Uniden 980SSB -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007B5ZAES/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IqHqDb8ECS0SF

Solarcon A-99 -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JT550G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vrHqDb7YAXWBZ

Pyramid PSV-300 Power Supply -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPT4TK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fsHqDb88K4CGP

RM Italy KL203P Linear Amplifier -

https://www.newegg.com/p/0TF-0002-00001