marine/VHF radios???

[Paul Fournier]

Looking to purchase a good marine radio and antenna. What have the rest of you found to be good radios? Secondly, do you need to use that ackward 8 ft. fiberglass antenna or can a person get away with using the 3 ft rachet base style?

[Den]

There are a lot of good radios, raython, shakespeare, are just a couple, but no matter which one you get, get the longer antenna. it may be a little in the way, but if you really need it it will do the job to the full capabilities. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[Smitty]

I agree with Den. Buy the radio that fits your needs and budget, but definately buy buy a good 8' antenna. Hadn't dealt with them much before I started to go to Erie, but have now seen the performance of handhelds, good radios with bad antennas, and mine (a mid price radio with a good Shakespeare antenna) and mine wins hands down. If you're buying it for safety reasons, don't skimp on the antenna.

[vetspet(ind)]

i have not used the short antenae but am sure it is only for short distances...some of my charter friends on lake michigan have much higher antenae than i and can hear me when i cant hear them due to the increased height....also there are cheaper 8' antenae and more expensive ones...i've used both and the 80 dollar ones are better than the 40 dollar ones.....i have three marine 25watt radios....my king was the best radio because it was totally programable....but it kept breaking down....my hummingbird is the most reliable...never breaks down....use it all the time.....it is 4-5 yrs old and i fish at least once weekly.....it is not programable so i do not like this fact...i can't scan selected channels...only 16 and one other or all scannable channels....this is the only complaint...it is waterproof...my old king was not and i would leave it on board sometimes with my mooring cover on and i think the humidity would soar and it developed moisture related problems....dont leave elec equip in high moisture environments....my sitex seems to work fine...got it on close-out price and really havent used much but it seems to do everything fine...steve