Getting the shipping forecast..

dalex

dalex

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Jul 2005
Messages
308
Location
Suffolk
Visit site
Hello folks!
I am getting ready for my annual migration to LIBS and am looking for a method of recording the shipping forecast automatically, so I can take my time scribbling it down later!
I had in mind, a radio-cassete recorder with a programmable timer, but looking at these whizzy mp3 thingies, wondered if there was a higher tech solution available. Apart from setting the alarm clock, anyone have any reccomendations for doing this, on-board clearly without an internet connection please? Also, I am looking to record the navtex broadcasts and play them back into a modem to decode with a laptop. Does this sound feasable? I don't want to go to the additional expense of a stand-alone navtex reciever, when there is a better solution available!
Thanks in anticipation.
 
For recording the weather forecast, why use a cassette recorder if you have a laptop? You need a microphone and a scheduler to start/stop recording. I don't know if Bill Gates knows how schedule a stop but, if not, you could probably download something.
 
I have a Roberts radio with a tape recorder that I can set the timer on.

The downsides are that the timer just switches it on but not off, hence a bit of faffing about to get a suitable length of tape so that it auto-stops when it reaches the end of the forecast. The radio keeps on playing once it switches on, so I just plug in a set of earphones to disable the speaker so that I'm not woken up at 0530hrs by the said forecast. The battery drain is not bad with just the radio, but if I let the tape run too much, it does eat a fair bit. It can be plugged into the mains when alongside.

It was £30-00 in my local shop. See Here -
http://www.robertsradio.co.uk/rc9907.htm
 
[ QUOTE ]
...errr ....download it off the web daily at an internet caff?

[/ QUOTE ]
err.. not really an abundance of internet cafe's at Shotley, but I'll ask around.. (Tshhh, these posh Essex boaters are really spoilt!)
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have a Roberts radio with a tape recorder that I can set the timer on.



[/ QUOTE ]
This sounds like it would definitely do the job.
I am not too bothered about turning the recorder off, other than for a battery preservation point of view. I suppose the alternatives are to get the radio hooked up to ship's 12v supply. I really wondered whether there was a nifty digital recorder available. I have one of those 10 quid mp3 players which can do digital recording. Hooking it up to a radio and arranging both radio and mp3 player to start up near shipping forecast time, thats a bit of an issue.
Now if there is a radio with a digital tuner and a digital timer, together with a recording device as programmable as a typical video recorder, giving me the option to record from more than one frequency/band then Robert would definitely be my fathers brother.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Your solution for navtex is JVComm32.

Available Free Here.
www.jvcomm.de

Steve.

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks, but this relies on the PC being on at the time of a broadcast of Navtex data. This is heavy work for a laptop battery, and would draw a significant current from the domestic batteries if powering the PC/laptop from there. This is definitely useful, however, as once I have the analog signal recorded, I can put the data into the laptop by way of modem later, or when convenient.
Thanks for the very useful link.
 
I'll second the Roberts radio. I've used one since 2002 and even though I now have navtex, SSB with full weatherfax, shortwave email and sat.phone the little Roberts still comes out of its box from time to time. You won't regret buying one. Shame they are so 'plastic' - not up to the standard we expect of Roberts but nevertheless functional and pretty inexpensive. Try to get hold of a short tape - 10 to 15 mins is ideal - to save batteries.
 
If you want a good digital tuned world-band receiver with cassette recorder, you could go for the Sangean 818ACS.

They are marketed under many different brandnames, but are all made by Sangean http://www.sangean.com/ats818acs.html.

Roberts Radio used to sell them, but looking at their website, it is not now shown.

I'll grant that it is not cheap, http://chandlery.yachtinguniverse.com/product.php/496/237£168.03 (Plastimo version from Mailspeed Marine at £199.99)in the UK or http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?icatid=4373&stk_code=sanats818acs&svbname=31 $169.99 from the States, but I have had mine for over 12 years, and it is still going strong - on the boat in summer, and home in winter.

At one time, when I was in the MN, the ships WEFAX went duff, and my radio with a FAX program on the computer, was the only source of weather charts until the ships Wefax was repaired.
 
I've used one of the Roberts radios for some years, using a short tape so that it doesn't run too long. To reduce battery usage (heavy using the tape) I asked my local electronics guy to fit a socket for 12v and run it off the boat's batteries using a cigarette lighter plug.
 
I agree Phillip. I've had one of these for several years now and they're super sets. Although we don't take it aboard nowadays (we have HF radio, navtex et al) it is used for getting the forecast at home, it's brilliant.

I also spend many a pleasant hour, getting weatherfaxes, RTTY etc on it because it is one of the very few portables that can genuinely be used for reception of first class HF info. The tuning steps of most do not allow this. I can often hear Herb for example, while sat in my lounge!!

As you say, a lot of money, but very well built (the equivalent Roberts is a badged version) and totally reliable.
 
Try going on a Listening Skills Course.

Then you can just write down the forecast as it comes, like most of us, or have word with the next skipper if you miss it.

I bought a small portable marine radio the size of a mobile phone, so that I can hear the weather forecast when I am in the pub.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top