My QTH is about 6 miles inland and 500 MSL from the head of the Penobscot Bay. I get great propagation to the East and South. IMHO unless you need to get radials within a critical distance of Salt Water I would opt for something a few miles inland and on a ridge.
More importantly, have you done any research on what your tax situation would be? There's a movement afoot in the state capital to abolish the state income tax at the expense of higher property taxes, with a view to tap vacation home owners, much as New Hampshire has done. Worse, buying a waterfront property will pit you against nimbies and greenies who suffocate any attempt to encourage businesses (e.g ratables) to help with soaring school budgets. Anything shore front will be along RT 1, which is where all the cell towers are and accordingly where all the restrictive tower legislation is. I deliberately bought my QTH in 2006 because it was close to, but not on, the highly assessed shore front areas, long before I became a ham. So glad I made that decision. Those same nimbies are determined to turn the entire state into a national park, thus putting the final nail into the traditional wood mill industry coffin and making the state next to last choice for economic development in Forbes polls. The governor has done a lot to reverse profligate state spending and senseless regulation, but in a few years that could all go backwards, depending on who is in power after the elections. Maine is a great state to be poor in but if you are well-heeled enough to contemplate shore front property, you should ask a lot of questions before you decide on a property. I would tend to favor any small town that has no comprehensive development plan or ordinances to trip you up; there are plenty around if you don't need to rub elbows with the beautiful people. $0.02 -- de AB1VL NAQCC #6799 ab1vl.com _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband