Grundig Yacht Boy 80 radio
- Thread starter Poignard
- Start date
RobBrown
Active member
Is it possible to get weather faxes on this model? If so, what other kit is needed to eg get display on laptop?
bobgosling
New member
Poignard
Well-known member
I don't have the know-how to advise you about that sort of thing; I only bought it to use as a broadcast receiver and alarm clock.
ps If you tell me what to look for in the instruction manual I may be able to give you an answer.
ps If you tell me what to look for in the instruction manual I may be able to give you an answer.
RobBrown
Active member
I am only on the bottom rungs of technical info & understanding myself on this! SFAIA, some at least of the SSB radios can pick up the Weather fax signals and with the appropriate software in and connection to a computer, can display this info. Some I believe use a connection to or via the computer sound card, tho I guess these days there may equally be some kind of USB cable connection? (Guessing!)
I believe some of the radios with this capability are in the Yachtboy range, which is why I asked the question. I sail with a laptop with chartplotter software, so if I can get a good radio and the weather fax capability for an additional £39.99, that looks like a good bonus set up to me. Perhaps BobGosling or others can give some more explanation/clarification? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Rob
Just had a look at BobGosling's software sites and it looks as if you can get Navtex as well with the right software, which if you don't need a dedicated Navtex receiver. the NASA version of which is around the £200 mark, makes the potential benefits look even better. I would certainly like to know if its a workable solution.
I believe some of the radios with this capability are in the Yachtboy range, which is why I asked the question. I sail with a laptop with chartplotter software, so if I can get a good radio and the weather fax capability for an additional £39.99, that looks like a good bonus set up to me. Perhaps BobGosling or others can give some more explanation/clarification? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Rob
Just had a look at BobGosling's software sites and it looks as if you can get Navtex as well with the right software, which if you don't need a dedicated Navtex receiver. the NASA version of which is around the £200 mark, makes the potential benefits look even better. I would certainly like to know if its a workable solution.
Poignard
Well-known member
It is classed as capable of ssb reception and has a control for tuning the bfo. If you let me know the frequencies you would need I will see if it covers them.
I must say it seems a real bargain for £40 [incl delivery].
I must say it seems a real bargain for £40 [incl delivery].
RobBrown
Active member
The Weatherfax frequencies for RN Northwood are 2618.6 khz, then 4610,8040,11086 & 18261.
For Navtex, the frequencies are of course 490 & 518 Khz and 4209.5
This is useful site I found in my searches:
http://www.yachtcom.co.uk/comms/index.html
For Navtex, the frequencies are of course 490 & 518 Khz and 4209.5
This is useful site I found in my searches:
http://www.yachtcom.co.uk/comms/index.html
jerryat
Active member
[ QUOTE ]
It is classed as capable of ssb reception and has a control for tuning the bfo. If you let me know the frequencies you would need I will see if it covers them.
I must say it seems a real bargain for £40 [incl delivery].
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, but a lot of these types of radios say that, but what you really need is the facility to tune in 100Hz steps or less. Often the tuning controls are just too 'coarse' for this on the cheaper sets. Hopefully the Grundig is an exception.
For example, my Sangean ATS 818 ACS (also cloned as Roberts etc) provides stunning wefaxes and RTTY even when I'm sat the lounge with an 8 foot bit of wire draped over the pelmet for an aerial.
But then it has very fine tuning and cost around £170.00 IIRC.
It is classed as capable of ssb reception and has a control for tuning the bfo. If you let me know the frequencies you would need I will see if it covers them.
I must say it seems a real bargain for £40 [incl delivery].
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, but a lot of these types of radios say that, but what you really need is the facility to tune in 100Hz steps or less. Often the tuning controls are just too 'coarse' for this on the cheaper sets. Hopefully the Grundig is an exception.
For example, my Sangean ATS 818 ACS (also cloned as Roberts etc) provides stunning wefaxes and RTTY even when I'm sat the lounge with an 8 foot bit of wire draped over the pelmet for an aerial.
But then it has very fine tuning and cost around £170.00 IIRC.