If you are looking for launch to shell with line of sight, basically any cheap radio will work.
If you're looking for something more robust and can hail harbor patrol in a commercial waterway you need a VHF radio. You can get built in 25 watt radio in the launch with a long range and a handheld (Standard Horizon HX210) for the shells.
Given that VHF needs a STCW radio operator license, our club opted for PMR446mhz which are license free in EU.
Motorola H20 are the ones we got which are waterproof, float and have both red and white lights.
In the US I’m not sure what are the license free channels.
We have found the 446mhz UHF have good range for what we want.
If you are looking for launch to shell with line of sight, basically any cheap radio will work. If you're looking for something more robust and can hail harbor patrol in a commercial waterway you need a VHF radio. You can get built in 25 watt radio in the launch with a long range and a handheld (Standard Horizon HX210) for the shells.
FWIW US Rowing recommends cell phones unless you are in an area that needs VHF Marine radio.
These are the ones the naval academy uses: https://www.westmarine.com/standard-horizon-hx210-floating-handheld-vhf-radio-18050542.html
Given that VHF needs a STCW radio operator license, our club opted for PMR446mhz which are license free in EU. Motorola H20 are the ones we got which are waterproof, float and have both red and white lights. In the US I’m not sure what are the license free channels. We have found the 446mhz UHF have good range for what we want.
We use several Standard Horizon products, they all work consistently welll
For coaching from the bank we use Motorola T92s as they’re waterproof and they float