Hello Rebecca I am a Kingston Sailor and Ham Radio Operator. I am presently en route to our boat sitting in storage in Florida. Boating and Ham Radio are an excellent combination. About half the members of the Seven Seas Cruising Association (world-wide cruising association) are Ham Radio Operators. Kingston Amateur Radio Club will help you and your husband to get a Ham License. Several KARC members are Sailors. Kingston Power and Sail Squadron will help you get the right boating education, refer: http://kingston.cps-ecp.org/ and specifically : http://kingston.cps-ecp.org/maritime_radio.htm#Radio I am a Maritime Radio Instructor/Examiner with that organization. I will be pleased to answer any specific questions. Please contact me at HermanVA3QX@xxxxxxxxx , but please be patient because I may be away from the dock for a while. Herman Kuipers, VA3QX