Well I can tell you portables are just good enough to listen to the local marine weather forecast and to other boaters within a couple km's. I sold mine and got the permanent mount, much better reception and some decent power when your butts in the sling and you need help. I even had the portable hooked up to the big antenna and hooked into the boats 12V system, no difference. For pretty much the same price, get the permanent one and like Terry said, Don't cheap out on the antenna. I've got an 8' fiberglass on a stainless lay down mount in my 16' boat, mounted at the back corner, on the average day, I can easily go 12 miles, 20km. The radio mentioned above and most all newer ones have to pass the basic testing before they are certified for use. If you have GPS in the boat, get a model radio with DSC that you can interface your GPS, when in trouble hit one button and your location is automatically sent to CGC. Another store is Durham Radio in Whitby.