Hello everyone.
Thank you very much for the replies and insight.
Reflecting on my original post I am uncertain if I am heading in the right direction.
After reading your replies I thought; yikes, I’m over my head!
My marine radio, marine navigation and operational skills are excellent.
Regardless, boating has inherent dangers and whenever I go out I do my best to be thoroughly prepared. However, this voyage is a bit beyond typical operation of a small boat. Given that I will be operating at higher RPMs, 8-hour days and traveling during hurricane season; it is my intent to enhance my communication capabilities as part of my worse-case planning.
(I have a very comprehensive route plotted with numerous, go, no-go locations and harbors of refuge.)
I gave thought to a Marine SSB radio, (thanks N8YX)
but I wanted a tool that had use when I was not on the boat. I even thought about a CB radio.
Honestly, I know very little about the HAM community, but I am trying to learn.
From what I have read HAM radios are monitored by different people and organizations and that there is coverage between Boston and New York, that HAM radio can be used to gather information and relay important messages if other means don’t work. I have reached out to ARRL for advice.
Like just about everyone; I will have a cell phone, but I do not rely on it 100% for emergencies.
Oh, and I never use it for navigation! Thanks, K6CPO… no worries! I have a redundant GPS chart plotter systems and an IPad with a dedicated GPS antenna operating Navionics and iNavX.
All of your comments have been helpful; again, thank you, I appreciate it.
Take care,
Garv