The ability to communicate in a clear and timely manner not only helps make you a better fisherman, but also becomes paramount in every emergency situation. Even in this high-tech world with cell phones found on every hip, most boaters still turn to their VHF or single-sideband radio when in distress.

Much like a bottom machine needs a quality transducer for optimum information and picture quality, a VHF or SSB is only as good as the antenna and connections that bring the two together. One of the most frustrating things about getting on an unfamiliar boat for a day's fishing is listening to the broken, static crackle of a poorly installed or lesser quality antenna and VHF. Failure in any one of several key components could be the source of the extraneous noise emanating from the little on-board speaker of the unit in question. 
 
To fix that crackle, first you should take a look at the placement of the antenna, its overall quality and specifications. Second, you need to find out how many connections exist between the antenna and the unit, and determine their condition. And lastly, check the unit itself and the quality of the speaker delivering the sound. 
 
Personally, I've yet to hear a speaker built into a unit that's loud enough to be heard clearly while doing over 15 knots in a flybridge boat. And although I'm regularly reminded that I have selective hearing, I'm positive that I don't enjoy that benefit on a boat. Get an external speaker mounted to amplify the sound — no matter who makes the unit. And for those all-in-one telephone type handsets — replace them with a fist mike and external speaker. These handsets are virtually useless and impossible to use on the flybridge or in the tower.
 
In most cases, problems occur when you scrimp on any component in the chain. If you buy a bargain basement radio, you get bargain results. If you don't consider the quality of the cable, connectors and how they are put together — you get poor quality signal conveyance. And if you skimp on the antenna and buy the cheaper model with a nylon ferrule and specifications that don't match your other components, you'll be disappointed as well.

Selecting an Antenna
VHF (Very High Frequency) radio works on an FM (Frequency Modulated) signal band. Every manufacturer limits its marine units to a maximum of 25 watts of transmitting power; however, they all come with a 1-watt, low-power button for close-quarter communications. 
 
Range is mostly limited to what is known as "line of sight." Based on the height of your antenna, you can basically figure on a maximum of roughly 25 miles due to the curvature of the earth. If you really want to determine the range of an antenna in miles, multiply the square root of the antenna's height in feet above the waterline by 1.42. The height of the receiving antenna also comes into play, however, so if you know the approximate height of the receiving antenna, do the calculation and add the results to get the range between the two boats. 
 
Gain also plays an important role in your radio reception. Gain refers to the shape of the signal pattern for incoming signals. Basically, gain represents an increase or decrease in radiated power from the antenna. Gain is usually referred to as plus or minus dB (decibels).  Generally, you add four times the output power of the radio for 6dB antennas and eight times the radio output power for 9dB antennas. The higher the gain, the flatter the response pattern, meaning it produces a more concentrated signal. This is noticed when you hear a distant boat transmission fade in and out due to the boat's pitching and rolling. The lower gain antenna transmits in a broader, less-dense pattern that is a bit more forgiving on a smaller boat in rough water. However, as a basic rule of thumb for sport-fishing boats, you want a higher dB rated antenna to reach out and make contact.
 
Coaxial Cable, Connectors and Connections
When setting up a system, try to keep the coaxial cable length to a minimum and use as large a diameter cable as possible. The longer the cable run, the greater the signal loss, which results in marginal performance. My friends at Commercial Marine Electronics in Pompano Beach, Florida, also recommend that you make the run as straight as possible with no 90-degree bends or kinks that might eventually result in a split. If you have excess cable, shorten it, leaving at least three feet to work with in the future. If you aren't comfortable with shortening the cable, coil it neatly in loops at least eight inches in diameter, and wire-tie them together so they do not uncoil and kink. 
 
When making connections, you can choose between two types of PL-259 connectors — crimped or soldered. Good quality crimped connectors provide satisfactory performance but only if installed with the utmost care. However, a soldered centerpin connection provides the best conductivity and reliability in the marine environment. If you aren't comfortable with soldering the connection, find an experienced installer to make them for you. Make sure he covers any exposed connectors with shrink-wrap to keep water out of the connection.
 
The Radio
Along with a good quality compass, which no boat should be without, the VHF radio may be the most important piece of gear on your boat. Not only can you get the latest information on the hot bite, but you can also contact the Coast Guard and other boats in an emergency, communicate with bridges, and keep abreast of the weather situation. When looking into radios, consider the specifications, weatherproofing, speaker quality and the ability to add an external speaker. 
 
Captains have debated for years over whether a dial or keypad works better to change channels. Get the one you prefer and are most comfortable with. I personally do not like to crank on a dial to go from channel 78 to 67; it is just not fast enough sometimes. I want it all and prefer both methods on my radio so I can "go up one" or "down one" with the dial, yet jump from a low channel to a high with the keypad. I find it incredibly aggravating to have channel-changing buttons on the fist microphone; I inevitably change the channel every time I pick up the mic. I wish just once the engineers and marketing people would actually use a radio in real conditions before putting features into a product that are detrimental to its best use.
 
VHF radios transmit and receive on numbered channels that represent frequencies. Some manufacturers may advertise that their units offer as many as 99 channels. But for recreational use the FCC has limited our use to certain channels for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. You are subject to FCC rules and regulations with a VHF or SSB aboard. You do not need a license to operate the VHF radio if you are operating a recreational vessel under 65 feet. If you travel to foreign ports, or can transmit to one, you will need a license. 
 
Like anything, with good quality equipment and professional installation practices, your VHF or SSB system will perform to its best capabilities for a long time. When it comes to communicating over the airwaves, it doesn't pay to pinch a penny.