This table shows results for the 2Meter ham band, which is very close
to the vhf marine band.
There are many other options, but most are rare so very much more
expensive, and connectors harder to find.
This data came from
http://www.antennex.com/preview/Fold...4/newstat1.htm

Note:
3dB cuts the power [or received signal] in half.

Also: mouser.com & graybar.com are places that I frequent for this
sort of thing, competative prices and market rate shipping.
tom
=-==


Cable Insertion Loss at 150 MHz, 100-Foot (30.5 m) Length Cable Type
Cable Loss Comments

RG-58C/U 6.6 dB Very short cable runs, Test Cables
RG-58U 6.0 dB Very short cable runs, Test Cables
RG-8U 3.2 dB OK up to 30 feet (9.15 m)
RG-8U FOAM 2.2 dB OK up to 45 feet (13.7 m)
9913 (Belden) 1.7 dB Recommended for all installations
..5 Inch "Hard Line" 1.0 dB Excellent but may be cost prohibitive



cavelamb himself wrote:
I'm adding a VHF radio to my sailboat and would like to ask for details
about the antenna cable.

RG-58 is recommended, but the losses in the cable seem staggering!

Is there a better cable for antenna connections???

Richard

Capri 18
Spirit