Amateur radio suggestions

[pcg]

This post is addressed to ham radio operators. I have a current extra class amateur radio license, but haven't been active for decades, have no radio gear, and am no longer plugged into the ham radio community. I'm looking for suggestions for what amateur radio setup would be useful on a C-Dory. I don't anticipate using it for casual chatter, but I can see it as a benefit in an emergency as an alternative to VHF. Are there other benefits as well? What about power draw (want more than QRP), antennas, tuners, ground plane, etc.? I'd like to have CW cand SSB capability, but I've heard there are newer digital modes available as well? What do you suggest? I've looked into 2M repeater operation, but anticipated use will be in the Inside Passage where I suspect not many repeaters are available.

 

[Dory Time]

It sounds like you might be happy with something like the Yeasu FT-991a all band, all mode transceiver. Without providing specific ham radio goals, this radio can pretty much do it all, in a fairly compact and affordable package. VHF, UHF, HF frequencies and any modes, cw, am, fm, SSB, and digital modes. Given a boat/marine environment, vertical antennas would be a practical choice