thanks to cisco's original post
i immediately ordered the gme radio , c.h.smith marine $85 no speakers
and cheap dipole antenna
arrived within 48 hrs and installed immediately
i already had bulkhead speakers in cockpit and cabin with a switch to select either of them
and a place to mount the radio
too easy
tested really well aux , am , fm , lw , sw and even vhf
yesterday used it on my sail down to queenscliff to see the exit of the m2d and westcoaster
thanks cisco the radio performed above my expectation
so that was my xmas present
ps I was wondering about splitter for antenna but read about some of the issues that can be had using them so opted for separate antenna (simple dipole)
surprised the reception of vhf was so good and over fair distance with coastal complications