find a ham radio operator in your area with a VHF capable SWR meter
(or just order a 2 meter swr meter from AES) if the SWR (standing
wave ratio) is greater then 2:1 then the antenna is not well enough
matched for even casual use. A good match is from say 1.1:1 to 1.40:1.
SWR meter hooks between the radio and the antenna and measures
transmitted and reflected power (well , sort of, the real explanation
would take a couple of pages). If the antenna isnt a good transmitter
at a particular frequency, then its a good reflector of RF back down
the cable. That RF has to go somewhere and that somewhere is back
into the final stage of the transmitter, causing heat and maybe
burnout.
Most modern marine HTs are designed with a circuit that backs off the
TX power or shuts down the transmitter if tyou have a bad match.

If this is for use at altitude in a non safety of life application, IE
calling your wife on the boat, you can get away with a crappy swr.
However keep in mind that if you transmit from any reasonable
altitude, your range is increased dramtically, and the marine RADIO is
FM, not AM, and the strongest singal wins on FM, unlike AM whjere they
overlap, so using a a decent marine radio at 5000 feet above San Fran,
you could end up capturing the channel down the whole west coast.
Probably somewhat illegal unless your doing some form of air to ground
work as part of your flying.

if your just gonna receive, the airband antenna will be just fine.

Steve Roberts , N8VKD