Originally Posted by spearo

Def get a dashboard one with the "distress" button. Forget what it's actually called but you register the unit with the CG and if the boat is going down you hit the button and it automatically transmits SOS with GPS coordinates. Well worth the extra couple of bucks.

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

Without A DOUBT. the best bang for the buck is in the antenna. Good one is about $160. And the higher up it is mounted the better. The old saying in every foot higher is equivalent to 10 watts of extra transmit power.

A hand held can be VERY JUICED UP if you use the main atnenna. Get an adapter. That 5-6 transmit watts will be a little better. But RECEPTION WILL SCREAM with that hi gain antenna.

ICOM is a very good brand I have a IC-422. It is waterproof too. A great, but not cheap radio- about $200 w/ ability to hook in your GPS.

They are now selling VHF's with built in GPS and even AIS( recieve only). A waste of money for most. With the DSC ( you have a MMSI#) you can call buddies and see who is around with your registered MMSI's in your unit.

And the USCG doen't monitor the Auto Distress Signal even though its been out almost 10 years. DOn't put too much stock in that as a desireable feature. It is NOT.

The suggested primary focus should be the best antenna your money can buy. One night on a sea tow boat the S/T boat next( doing a night salvage in Raritan Bay outside Keyport) to me had a smaller Very high gain antenna compared to my 16' high gain standard antenna. He was picking up and talking to a handheld VHF on the other side of the Keyport Bridge I could not hear except on his radio speakers. I WAS SOLD. It's not hype. Tha Hi gain antenna is first choice on where the money goes, then the radio with what's $$ left.