Adding external VHF antenna to handheld radio

[Hambone]

I'm looking to buy an aircraft without an electrical system. How much radio range can I roughly expect to get with the addition of a simple external antenna to a handheld comm radio?

Thanks in anticipation!

 

[wanttaja]

I receive stations ~60 miles away with my Icom with a homemade dipole. Not sure how far out I'm readable, but haven't had a case where local traffic apparently can't hear me, except a mike failure in August.

Ron Wanttaja