Many of the charts & tables found on this site are PDFs.

An 8-footer will do for most, but offshore boaters will need more range, which is determined by antenna height. Everyone needs to periodically inspect their VHF systems.

Since the VHF radio system plays the most critical role in emergency communication, proper installation and maintenance are critical.

You just plunked down $300 for a top-of-the-line VHF radio. Now it’s time to look at antennas. Here are a couple of tips to help you decide which antenna is the right match for your installation. The first step is deciding what type of antenna you need. This depends on what kind of boating you enjoy. Are you a coastal cruiser or bluewater adventurer? The answer will determine the range or distance you will need to communicate to emergency services or other vessels. The greater the distance, the larger the antenna needs to be or the better it needs to perform. …