vhf and dsc, et al
I had a 35' sailboat for 20 years and raced, cruised, etc. with just a relatively modern vhf and never once used the dsc. Some of what is possible with electronics becomes so complex to operate I think unless you use it all the time you are better to go with the simpler but modern tech and not complex it up with crap you won't use or don't remember or the routines to use and hook it up and keep it working right on a boat .
In my case, I could quite probably make do with the modern hand held vhfs I have but at the prices today it is cheap enough to add just for the odd chance I'd need the safety valve of a 25 watt higher power fixed radio transmitter on board.
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