[jjjtronics]

BGAlone,
Your VHF radio and its antenna, are the most important gadget in any boat.
In case of an emergency, your Marine VHF is the best chance of getting help from boaters in the area, and those boaters are the only ones who can reach your boat quickly. A cell phone is great, but our friends on land can not do much without a boat.
As already said, ANYTHING you install between the radio and the antenna, ( besides the needed coax cable of course ), induces losses in signal strenght and, adds chances for connection problems, etc.
The best and most expensive radio unit, is worthless without a good and properly installed and tuned antenna system. An improperly installed antenna, specially a shorted connector/cable install, renders the antenna useless and will damage the radio.
I recommend getting an 8 foot, 6db gain Shakespeare unit. They are long lasting and VERY reliable. Then have a local Ham radio guy or radio tech do an SWR check after the install.
I think antennas make a boat look good if installed with style and properly.
Your music radio antenna can even be hidden inside the hull and still work because of the high power from local radio stations.
Also, I never leave the Marina until I do a radio check ( on low RF power ) and verify my VHF radio. If my boat ever starts sinking, I will reach someone to haul my Family and me out of the "Blue Pool" with sharks and else...