it is line of sight but we seem to be able to shoot through islands pretty well even shoots right through rattlesnake for me.

Don't know what to tell you... I get more than "line of sight" with mine... look at a map and see all the land and islands between Center Harbor bay and anywhere else on the lake. I talk from there to meredith Bay, Wolfboro Bay and if I'm by 3 mile I can hear conversations down by the Alton end of the lake... My antenna is pretty cheap in comparison to others... but placed on my hard top (total of about 16' off the water) it works great???
I installed my own and attached the connector myself... its not a soldered connecter either... and it is fine. If I could do it, any one could!

thanks
maybe it is my freinds radio he has 3' antena on a center consol. next time I am on the lake I will try to reach someone from this site.

Just go to channel 12 and say... "Is anyone from FishLakeWinni out there?" and I'm sure you'll get a response. Even on a day like today, I did. Good luck

Your best situation is having an 8’ antenna that is mounted as high as practical. VHF radio communications in the open sea is line of sight, in a place like Winni signals are line of sight, bounced by structures and absorbed by foliage, communications can be unpredictable.

Thanks for all the helpful info. Looking foward to calling out next time on winni