VHF Antenna ?

[walleyechasers3]

What does a person look for when getting a VHF antenna for their boat? I am going to be purchasing a fixed mount radio and would like some help with what to get for a antenna. Kinda would like to stay with a shorter antenna. Will be using it alot on lakes and the Miss. River.

[walleyechasers3]

Nobody must use VHF marine radios in their boats in MN  ???

[jigglestick]

I have one in mine, but I'm the only one so there's nobody to talk to.

the shorter the antenna the shorter the range.
that's how it was explained to me.
the signal does not curve, so given the curvature of the earth, your range is limited to the height of your antenna.

correction, let me rephrase this. you can have a short antenna and get good reception if it is mounted up high.
keep in mind this rule of thumb, if your antenna can see the other antenna you can communicate. so...the higher your antenna, the better your chances of having reception.

I didn't write the book, but this is how it was explained to me.

[walleyechasers3]

I was leaning towards a Shakespeare 5400-XT

[walleyechasers3]

I made my decission and went with Shakespeare antenna

http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/antennas.asp?antenna=396-1

[jigglestick]

so, now that you have made your decision, maybe you can shed some light as to why you went with that particular antena.
better input/output? taller, shorter?
recommended by a friend?
most of us are new at this and we all have a natural born want, to learn.