Grib file download by Sailmail

Travelmate

Travelmate

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 Sep 2007
Messages
112
Location
Borneo
Visit site
Internet access is not an option whilst we are at sea. Have come across the Ugrib web site that has an excellent forcast and display. Can the weather from this site be accessed and downladed via a grib file using Sailmail.

We are in Borneo and the local weather forcasts via HF, VHF and local radio is not readily available.

Tony
 
Travelmate said:
Internet access is not an option whilst we are at sea. Have come across the Ugrib web site that has an excellent forcast and display. Can the weather from this site be accessed and downladed via a grib file using Sailmail.

We are in Borneo and the local weather forcasts via HF, VHF and local radio is not readily available.

Tony
Click to expand...

This is the current information from the SailMail web-site:

I keep hearing about "grib" files. What the heck are they?
Can I receive grib files of digital weather data over SailMail?
Are grib files free or do I have to pay for them?
Grib files are data files containing weather information, usually surface wind and surface pressure, on a (typically) 1 or 2 degree grid. The name comes from "GRided Binary." The SailMail system can pass grib files, but only if they are less than 30kBytes in length if sent via Pactor-III (15kBytes via Pactor-II). Grib files need to have the ".grb" file extension. Out of sloth and laziness, some providers of grib files send files that are far too large (50kBytes or more). We have found that if you wisely pick your area coverage, time coverage, and spatial resolution, a 10 kByte grib file contains plenty of data to plan a trip, even crossing an ocean, and a 10kByte file is easily transferred over SailMail.

NOAA's Global Forecast System (GFS) is widely regarded as the best worldwide computer weather forecast. US taxpayers pay to run the GFS and NOAA graciously makes the results free to everyone. The SailMail Association supports a system called SailDocs that formats Grib files containing NOAA GFS data for efficient transfer to mariners. The SailDocs system is available to everyone via any email system at no charge. This is sensible, given that the US taxpayers have already paid to run the GFS, so why should they be asked to pay yet again? For information on how to use SailDocs send an email to info@saildocs.com For specific information on how to get grib files sent to you via SailDocs, send an email to gribinfo@saildocs.com The AirMail software contains a handy tool to subscribe to grib files under that can be found on the main AirMail Message Index window under Window/Catalogs/Saildocs/Grib Files.

There are various software packages that are used by computer-savvy cruisers and racers that display grib files of weather data. Some also display digital charts, and some can even calculate routes. The easiest grib viewer to use, and cheapest (free) is Jim Corenman's AirMail Weather Fax Companion that is available from the download page on this website and is included in recent downloads of the AirMail program. Other programs that can view grib files include Deckman for Windows, Expedition, MaxSea, Nobeltec, Ocens, and RayTech.

More info here:

http://www.sailmail.com
/smprimer.htm#Frequently%20Asked%20Questions,%20Tips,%20and%20Trivia

http://www.sailmail.com/smprimer.htm#Choice of Equipment

I hope this helps?

I am currently working on a cheap FM radio which will easily read the weather signals direct from the NOAA satellites in polar orbits. ;)

Have a good passage. :)
 
xtiffer said:
He said, ignoring the rest of the post which explained in great detail how to get grib files.
How about saying: "Thanks for your help" instead!
Cheers,
Chris
Click to expand...

Blimey, just trying to be helpful and not have the op sent off on a wild goose chase.

Why would I have said "Thanks for your help" to lensman? His post was perfectly accurate and useful but I already get grbs from airmail.


If it comes to that? Why are you criticizing me for something I did not say. Why not say "Thanks for your help" to me for the information I did give instead?!!!
 
Grib

Thanks to all who replied. In my original post I did not specifically state that I already download grib files via sailmail. I came across the Ugrib web site and believe their data to be better displayed and more accurate in general. The problem is that Ugrib gives no data how to download a grib file from its server (via Sailmail) that can be used on the Ugrib display.

Hope this clears things up a bit.
Tony
PS Interested in the FM radio for satelliete downloads so keep me posted.
 
Travelmate said:
Thanks to all who replied. In my original post I did not specifically state that I already download grib files via sailmail. I came across the Ugrib web site and believe their data to be better displayed and more accurate in general. The problem is that Ugrib gives no data how to download a grib file from its server (via Sailmail) that can be used on the Ugrib display.

Hope this clears things up a bit.
Tony
PS Interested in the FM radio for satelliete downloads so keep me posted.
Click to expand...

pretty sure all the free gribs will have the same data, GFS model is it? Frank Singletons excellent site has more infor about where http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Grib-And-Objective-Forecasts-Reviewed I really like weatherfaxes as well for offshore, possibly better than gribs.
 
Travelmate said:
The problem is that Ugrib gives no data how to download a grib file from its server (via Sailmail) that can be used on the Ugrib display.
Click to expand...
As far as I'm aware you can only download the grib files from Ugrib via their display application, at least that's the only way I've done it. I use iridium to connect to the internet when on ocean crossing then, sailmail for email access and ugrib to download the grib files for the area I'm interested in.

It seems less complicated to me than using sailmail emails with lat and long entered to define the area of interest.

Time on-line usually less than 2mins.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top