Just to clarify, you CANNOT use a magnetic-mount antenna without a large metal surface to mount it on. For a marine VHF that would be something like a magnetic (so it sticks on) metal sheet about one meter square or in diameter. Not very practical unless you've got an air conditioner or oven at the top of the mast.
If you want reliable communications, permanently installing a mast-mounted antenna (with a loading coil in its base) is the way to go. If the investment (good cable & fittings cost money too) overall is not immediately justified, then even using an "emergency" antenna or a home-made one beats nothing at all.
Inland, in sheltered waters? That's still way better than nothing.
Note that from Canadian web sources, it seems legal to install the radio on the boat, and even to receive with it (monitor the distress channel, the weather, etc.) without any license, so the money doesn't all have to go up front. Traditionally radios had a removable microphone cable, so the microphone could be "secured" elsewhere, ensuring the radio was not being used as a transmitter.
If you want reliable communications, permanently installing a mast-mounted antenna (with a loading coil in its base) is the way to go. If the investment (good cable & fittings cost money too) overall is not immediately justified, then even using an "emergency" antenna or a home-made one beats nothing at all.
Inland, in sheltered waters? That's still way better than nothing.
Note that from Canadian web sources, it seems legal to install the radio on the boat, and even to receive with it (monitor the distress channel, the weather, etc.) without any license, so the money doesn't all have to go up front. Traditionally radios had a removable microphone cable, so the microphone could be "secured" elsewhere, ensuring the radio was not being used as a transmitter.
