VHF radio and antenna question

[richardca99]

Like others have recently asked, I'm looking for a VHF radio and antenna for my 19' Sea Hunt Navigator. Occasionally make it out 20-30 miles (on a very good day). I'm looking at the Uniden submersible radios with DSC (have GPS on my boat), but the antennas confuse me. Do I need a 3db or 6db antenna? Are Shakespeare antennas any good? I'd like to go with Bass Pro on this purchase.

[shortwave]

With as far out as you go, you want an 8 ft, 6db antenna. Yes, Shakespeare makes good antennas and they make 2 - 8 ft, 6db antennas, one is a relatively inexpensive antenna, and the other, the Galaxy model 5225 at around $100 is a much better quality antenna. You may not be able to get the Galaxy 5225 model at a BPS.