Allow me to clarify:
$300 Lincoln
$225 Speaker
$65 RigRunner
$600 vs one of the 50W-plus NRC alternatives at from $225 to $450 (plus a used KES-5 speaker at $15).
Conceivably, $250 vs $600.
Far less difficult mobile installation that’s cleaner. This aspect has its own price.
As I also run a coax or Bandpass filter that increases cost another $80-$150.
$400 for the winning
new NRC radio (least expensive version) vs my $750 “old” radio rig.
And it won’t take $350 to acquire the very best permanent mount antenna & coax, (plus tools & supply to upgrade your radio toolbox).
Add those in and I’m well past $1,000.
Were I starting from scratch I’d go with the NMO34 Larsen + 64” whip and their NMO mount.
Another cost reduction (unless, like me, you had earlier decided to run a quarter-wave whip on the roof.)
A very simple installation: install the rig “on” the headliner with a glued board underneath, and do the thru-roof antenna back behind it.
Do the work thru the dome light opening.
Run power from BATT up passenger A-pillar. Fish speaker audio cable down drivers B-pillar to location under drivers seat.
The external speaker
is not optional.
.