harris an/prc 150(hf radio)
 

These are used by the military but can be found for sale to the
general public.
My question is this...and I know there are many many variables at play
here...what
would be a general ball park range for one of these radios
transmitting at 100 watts on a 16 foor vertical whip antenna?
My answer is "pretty much anywhere in the world" but I am wondering
what the real answer is and what sorts of considerations someone takes
into account?
At what point would someone use ALE mode versus a fixed frequency in
order to increase range?
And, do they peple here consider such a radio a good "starter" radio?