Re: whats a good VHF
 

I have an Icom 422 with DSC calling and a Skakespeare 5102 antenna. I did a radio check after hook up and was talking to another boat 70 miles away like he was next to me. Most radios now come with the DSC.

Re: whats a good VHF
 

Over the years I've probably owned ( and fried) them all and while some are better than others I think the most important feature is that they are waterproof .Very few actually are . I have a Standard on my big boat, an ICOM on my V-20 and a hand held ICOM on my little Mako 17 and all three are totally immersion water proof..Frank

Re: whats a good VHF
 

We've got the Uniden 525 on our boat. *It's functionally the equivalent of the Icom 504 but half the price. *I think it's got a little less power on the hailer if that's important, but definately worth half the price. *We coupled it to a Commander 8' antenna. The antenna makes the radio.