Radio help

I am new to the idea of carrying a radio on the water. I am looking to buy one. What should I be looking for. I saw westmarine has a vhf 6w on sale for $100. Are there specific channels that are desireable, should it be programmable? Where do I find frequency info if its necessary to program?

Thanks for the help.

This one is a pretty awesome deal:
http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard-Horizon-HX851-Handheld-VHF-Radio-with-GPS-P2312.aspx

I like West Marine for most things, but I had a problem with one of their handheld VHF radios. On the model I had, there was a plastic latch that held the battery in place. Within the first week, I dropped it about 6 inches onto my kayak deck, and the latch broke off, and the battery would fall out. Maybe they've fixed that, but it seemed like a serious design flaw.

 
Some consideration's to think of, when looking at marine VHF handheld radios, first it must be waterproof, most are,  it should float, if it doesn't, use an external float, or make a leash for it, and attach to your PFD
  Ch 16 is a call channel, make your contact, then switch to another channel. USCG monitors ch 16.

You want a minimum of 5W. And it's nice if the radio can dial-back to 2 or 2.5W, for those times when you don't wanna hear chatter from across the bay or if you're fishing a lake or nearby friends. Floating is a good feature, but I always have mine attached to my PFD. I also like smaller-size radios so I can put it inside my PFd pocket instead of clipping it to the shoulder strap or other exterior part of my PFD. If you have a chance to inspect it in person, checkout the seal on the battery compartment to make sure it doesn't look/feel cheap.
I'm planning to get the new Cobra HH500 because of the bluetooth feature. I normally store my cellphone inside a drybox safely inside the hull...which means I miss a lot of calls while OTW...which is normally OK (I'm fishing, so I don't want chat on my phone) unless it's my wife! With the new Cobra, I can answer calls through my VHF and never need to access my cellphone inside the hull [or potentially get it wet or drop it overboard].

Almost forgot, you want to make sure it is programmable to scan at least 2 channels. So you can have it scan back & forth between the ncka channel (69) and whatever channel is popular at that port (here in Monterey it's 11 and the harbormaster monitors 16 & 5). Here's some general coast guard info: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf
And here's a list Coastside put together:
9- Bodega
07-Harbors
09-Primary Channel for bridges on the Delta
10-Out of Noyo
11-Santa Cruz/Monterey
13-The Montezuma Lock monitors this channel
19-Half Moon Bay/Coastside in general
67-GG Charter Boats
68-Inside SF Bay and the GG
69-Kayak Anglers
88-San Pablo Bay

68,69, 71, 72, 78 – These are the proper channels to use for vessel to vessel communications
27, 28, & 86 -Stockton Marine operator – upriver from Pittsburg
26, 84, & 87 -San Francisco Marine Operator – downriver/Susuin from Martinez to San Francisco Bay and beyond

+1 What Pat said

Thanks for the info. I am familar with Bendix Kings (fire dept) but don't know much about any other radios.

Thanks for the info. I am familar with Bendix Kings (fire dept) but don't know much about any other radios.

In the world of HH VHF, the key players are (generally) Icom & Standard Horizon

Thanks for the info. I am familar with Bendix Kings (fire dept) but don't know much about any other radios.

In the world of HH VHF, the key players are (generally) Icom & Standard Horizon

You don't consider Lowrance a key player in the marine radio market? 

Thanks for the info. I am familar with Bendix Kings (fire dept) but don't know much about any other radios.

In the world of HH VHF, the key players are (generally) Icom & Standard Horizon

You don't consider Lowrance a key player in the marine radio market?

They make a good radio but in the realm of total sales & available models, no.  ICOM & SH rule the roost.  Just being honest!

That's a lot of good INFO Pat!!!  I had radio problems sunday fishing with that " Okinawan Dude",  I could here him but he could not here me till I got pretty close.  Clean the mic maybe??? battery problem???

Stay away from the West Marine VHF85.

I have two, and both of them are malfunctioning (one after two years, one after less than one year). One only sometimes transmits, and one only sometimes receives.

Both will be going back to West Marine. I'll use my powers of persuasion to get store credit toward two new radios that aren't West Marine brand...

I've had the West Marine 250 for something like 10 years now & still going.

My Icom m24 is a sweet little radio. I've used it several times on weekend long trips on single charge. Lightweight waterproof and lights up when it hits the water.  Awesome radio.

http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/marine/handhelds/m24/default.aspx

This one is a pretty awesome deal:
http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard-Horizon-HX851-Handheld-VHF-Radio-with-GPS-P2312.aspx

Just took delivery of a pair of these for me 'n' the missus, they're pretty damned big, but feel really solid. More of a learning curve than I'd have guessed, but the manual's good.  Yikes.  I must be getting old, I actually opened the manual.