if your boat is outside and your antenna is raised you should be able to pick up atleast 1 weather chanel. if your 30 miles from water then your to far to talk to anyone on the water. the only reason you can pick up the weather chanel is because there antenna is on top of a big tower.

another good channel to check is 68, alot of fishermen use it. as soon as you get on the water just ask for a radio check on channel 68, if thats the channel you are on. then when someone answers ask them how far they are from your location. i would do something like this.

how about a radio check on ch 68. if nobody answers i would say radio check radio check on ch 68. if i didnt get an answer i would try the same thing on ch 71. but you should get a call back. then i would say how far are you from geneva marina as thats where i launch. then be sure to thank them for the radio check. good luck and good fishing.
sherman