I have a hand held VHF radio with programmable scan, weather radio and weather alert.
when boating, I generally have it set to scan channels 16, 9, other interesting channels, and weather alert.
When set to weather alert it remains silent until the alarm goes off followed by a weather statement. This radio has helped me avoid many a weather front blowing through. It's also alerted me to bad weather conditions too far away to matter. when I get an alert, I look up and west the see what's going on than decide what to do. With out it I might not notice bad weather moving in.
The chatter in increases during bad weather or in an emergency. I was once near rattlesnake heading home when I got an alert. I avoided it completely by contacting someone near my home port of center harbor for weather conditions. They got deluged while I waited it out.
I also have a cell phone with me at all times when I can't contact anyone with the radio in an emergency.
Also take it with me sailing in Maine from time to time. The lobster boat chatter is very entertaining.
