Pagetslady
Well-Known Member
I have just acquired a Grundig YB 500 radio I would like to use it to download weather forecasts, anybody use one of these for this purpose, what software and cable required.
Mike
Mike
Grundig YB 500
- Thread starter Pagetslady
- Start date
Beadle
Well-Known Member
Hi
I have used Mscan Meteo for receiving Navtex and weather fax. It works very well if you have a decent signal into the receiver.
If you don't like Mscan there is JVcomm32
Both free to use off internet - free versions have some limitations but are perfectly adaquate for everyday use. You can of course pay a few quid for the full version if you wish.
I'm not sure whether you can attach an external aerial to the Grundig machine, but if you can I would suggest that it would be a really good idea. You don't need anything fancy just a length of wire slung up the mast as far as you can. I don't think there is an aerial socket on the set so just clip it to the telescopic aerial
You receive both of these as USB (upper sideband) and most other stuff as well.
To be honest I'm not sure how effective that particular wireless will be, particularly for weatherfax. The Grundig is a clever bit of kit but its not really speced as a communication receiver
Weatherfax (can't remember the frequency but its in Reeds.) is a little more difficult to tune in - you have to line the signal display up very carefully to get a decent copy of the fax. But a bit of practice will soon show you how - although most of the stuff they transmit is of limited interest.
You will need to use the 518kc/s Navtex, the limits of the tuning range means you can't get the 490hc/s channel. This is more likely to be of use for your weather forecasts unless you are mid ocean.
To connect to your laptop you need a 3.5mm jack plug into the radio and the other end of the cord into the computer.
Mscan has tuning indicator to get you on the precise frequency and it will do the rest.
So the best of luck - give it a go.
I have used Mscan Meteo for receiving Navtex and weather fax. It works very well if you have a decent signal into the receiver.
If you don't like Mscan there is JVcomm32
Both free to use off internet - free versions have some limitations but are perfectly adaquate for everyday use. You can of course pay a few quid for the full version if you wish.
I'm not sure whether you can attach an external aerial to the Grundig machine, but if you can I would suggest that it would be a really good idea. You don't need anything fancy just a length of wire slung up the mast as far as you can. I don't think there is an aerial socket on the set so just clip it to the telescopic aerial
You receive both of these as USB (upper sideband) and most other stuff as well.
To be honest I'm not sure how effective that particular wireless will be, particularly for weatherfax. The Grundig is a clever bit of kit but its not really speced as a communication receiver
Weatherfax (can't remember the frequency but its in Reeds.) is a little more difficult to tune in - you have to line the signal display up very carefully to get a decent copy of the fax. But a bit of practice will soon show you how - although most of the stuff they transmit is of limited interest.
You will need to use the 518kc/s Navtex, the limits of the tuning range means you can't get the 490hc/s channel. This is more likely to be of use for your weather forecasts unless you are mid ocean.
To connect to your laptop you need a 3.5mm jack plug into the radio and the other end of the cord into the computer.
Mscan has tuning indicator to get you on the precise frequency and it will do the rest.
So the best of luck - give it a go.
Conachair
Guest
A vital part of the system on my boat is the postit note on the laptop keyboard to remind to turn on the fridge again after downloading a weatherfax ;0
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
The cable is easy....You just need a 3.5mm jack to jack to go from the audio output of the radio to the line in or mike on you computer sound card.
The software can be one of many and certainly JVcomm32 (wasJVfax) is as good as many for weather fax and Seatty or Truetty for navtex.
http://www.pervisell.com/download/roote.htm
http://www.filebuzz.com/findsoftware/Rtty_Reader/1.html
You need to remember that when using a domestic or ham radio for data reception you do not tune in the advertised frequency but slightly below it.
518 will be about 516.5 likewise 490 will be 488.5 and the same applies to fax.
Don t be discouraged if at first you just garbage. After all the proffessionals pay thousands for equipment that does this at the press of a button. You will soon get the knack!!!
For info Google is your friend but why not start of with Frank and explore his pages for frequencies and schedules.
http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Home
Your radio may be just suitable but in some cases the tuning may be too coarse to fine tune the sending station.
Best of luck and don t get hooked on those canary sounds
Last edited:
