Atlantic weather information.

[Allan]

Next March I am planning to cross the Atlantic, Canaries, Caribbean, Florida. I will have a netbook with me. I have read a little about using a radio to pick up weather information on the way. Does anyone have details of how this is done?
Allan

 

[Chalker]

Google Frank Singleton, possibly through Mailasail. Then look for weatherfax. There are free software programs using the audio from an SSBradio into the PC soundcard.

Your planning dates sound odd. Perhaps early for crossing Biscay and just before hurrican season for the Atlantic and Caribbean. May/June boats in the Caribbean are heading for where they will be for the Hurrican season

 

[TimBennet]

The Highseas forecast is available on the SSB from NMN.

Iron Mike reads it and you can tune your ear to his dulcet tones by listening here:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/hfvoice.mp3

Details here

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/hfvoice.htm

 

[tcm]

Your planning dates sound odd. Perhaps early for crossing Biscay and just before hurrican season for the Atlantic and Caribbean. May/June boats in the Caribbean are heading for where they will be for the Hurrican season

Members of Cardiff Yacht Club have special dispensation and don’t need to adhere to the normal seasonal times for making offshore/ocean passages.

 

[Chalker]

Also see the thread on the Liveaboard forum for weatherfax on an Icom M710

 

[Allan]

Members of Cardiff Yacht Club have special dispensation and don’t need to adhere to the normal seasonal times for making offshore/ocean passages.

The boat owner, who planned the dates, is not a member of CYC but I'm sure Taffy Moitessier would approve.
Allan
PS, they were last heard of 13th November leaving Reunion heading for South Africa.

 

[Allan]

Also see the thread on the Liveaboard forum for weatherfax on an Icom M710

Many thanks for that, although interesting, it assumes a little more knowledge than I have.
Allan

 

[Allan]

Maybe I should have said, what is the best way for a not too techy person, without a Ham licence, to get weather forecasts while crossing the Atlantic?
Allan

 

[TimBennet]

Maybe I should have said, what is the best way for a not too techy person, without a Ham licence, to get weather forecasts while crossing the Atlantic?
Allan

What's wrong with listening to the High Seas Forecast?

 

[Allan]

What's wrong with listening to the High Seas Forecast?

That sounds a good plan. Where do I find it and what equipment do I need? That is exactly the type of information I need.
Allan

 

[Conachair]

A good cheap radio is Degen 1103, get them from ebay. Then a 3.5mm stereo - stereo jack from the radio into the netbook mic socket and jvcom software you can get weatherfaxes. Schedule here - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf
Jvcom software works fine and is free - http://www.jvcomm.de/index_e.html

Lots stuff on here and the web about setting it up, not too hard. Radio will recieve any kind of shortwave stuff.

 

[TimBennet]

That sounds a good plan. Where do I find it and what equipment do I need? That is exactly the type of information I need.
Allan

Details useful for western Atlantic and Caribbean here

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/hfvoice.htm

Fully details

http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Transatlantic-Crossing-Weather-Forecasts